Do you want to know more about rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? Well, we know very well that it is never easy to diagnose and what's more important, to alleviate them. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may appear when your body’s own immune system, instead of working to prevent attacks from outside, turns against itself and damages your own tissues. We have wide range of resources on our site that will help you on your quest and finally learn more about rheumatoid arthritis symptoms...Check out the featured section below.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms In General

Approximately 1% of the world population experience rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The symptoms are often generalized, may be vague and will come and go. It is usually associated with joint pain, inflammation and defects, but there is more to rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than meets the eye. If you are experiencing any symptoms similar to the one listed below, it is essential to see a doctor right away for an accurate diagnosis. This is critical because rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can progress quite rapidly and lead to joint deformity and even organ damage in some individuals.

What Lies Behind Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is a result of a chronic, systemic, degenerative disease called rheumatoid arthritis. It was previously perceived as a condition that affects the joints, but nowadays it is considered a disease that affects skeletal muscles bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and joints in both males and females of all ages. This would explain why rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are not only limited to joints; other structures that surround it are also affected. This condition is likely to affect the elderly population and is seen three times more common among women than in men, but this condition can also affect men and the younger population. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are the primary cause of pain and disability among people, especially the elderly.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are caused not by a single entity but a multitude of factors. As said earlier, behind these set of symptoms is the condition rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is an autoimmune, systemic inflammatory disease. Inflammation, immunity, aging, and other extrinsic factors lead to the painful and debilitating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Immunity plays a big role in the emergence of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease (autoimmune means ‘self-destruct’). For some reason, the body forms antibodies that target the tissues of the skeletal muscles, ligaments, cartilages and joints. When antibodies attack, the whole process of inflammation is stimulated. This then leads to classic rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area. The exact reason why the body forms certain antibodies that seem to target the joints and other skeleto-muscular structure is yet to be known. But a person’s state of immunity and exposure to viral or bacterial infections seem to have a significant relation to this event.

Joint and skeletal muscle degeneration as a result of hormonal changes and the aging process is also seen to contribute to this disease and the emergence of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. This would explain why the demographics would show more cases among women than in men. When women hit the menopausal stage, there is a significant decrease in the hormone estrogen. Estrogen helps in maintaining bone mass and joint function. A decrease of this hormone indirectly causes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of joint damage, cartilage failure, and immobility.

The Clinical Manifestation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can manifest themselves not only in the joints but also in skeletal muscles, ligaments, and cartilages. Clinical manifestations include joint redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, and deformity. Decrease in muscle tone or muscular atrophy of the affected area may also be seen. Subcutaneous nodules and popliteal cysts (cyst on the area behind the knee) is also a rheumatoid arthritis symptom and so is a decrease in muscular strength or grip. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may also include numbing or tingling sensations in the extremities which is indicative of nerve damage or affectation.