Could they be symptoms of Rhematoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-lasting autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. The disease may also affect other parts of the body. This may result in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the lungs, and inflammation around the heart
Arthritis means inflammation in a joint. That inflammation causes redness, warmth, swelling, and pain within the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints on both sides on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, or both knee. This symmetry helps to set it apart from other types of arthritis. RA can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves. The warning signs of RA are: joint pain, swelling, stiffness (especially after sitting for a long time), fatigue. Although, RA affects everyone in different ways, some people don't usually have the symptoms.

Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Anyone can get RA. The disease is two to three times more common in women than in men, but men tend to have more severe symptoms. It usually starts in middle age. But young children and the elderly also can get it.

How Does It Affect the Body?

Immune system cells move from the blood into the joints and joint-lining tissue, called synovium. Once they arrive, those immune system cells create inflammation that leads to irritation, which wears down cartilage (the cushioning material at the end of bones). As the cartilage wears down, the space between the bones narrows. As it gets worse, the bones could rub against each other.

Inflammation of the joint lining causes swelling and makes fluid build up within the joint. As the lining expands, it can damage the bone. All of these things cause the joint to become very painful, swollen, and warm to the touch.

 

Regular exercise is recommended as both safe and useful to maintain muscles strength and overall physical function. It is uncertain if specific dietary measures have an effect. Physical activity is beneficial for persons with Rheumatoid arthritis complaining of fatigue. Occupational therapy has a positive role to play in improving functional ability of persons with rheumatoid arthritis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: wiki, webmd