With rheumatoid arthritis, individuals need to look for more than just inflammation in their joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease; thus, it could trigger a range of seemingly unconnected disorders all through the body, not only the joints. At Clover Internal Medicine, the clinical experts take a dynamic approach to treating arthritis in Fort Worth, TX, and offer various therapies to relieve your discomfort and restore your life quality. Contact the office over the phone or schedule a consultation online to learn more.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Arthritis?
Here are some of the early signs of rheumatoid arthritis that you must never overlook:
- Joint Pain
One of the most prevalent symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is joint discomfort. It gets tender and sensitive to the touch whenever a joint is swollen. If it remains unattended, this swelling could progress to joint degeneration, causing patients to experience more pain. If you are experiencing joint discomfort, rheumatoid arthritis is likely the source of your pain.
- Difficulty Breathing/Chest Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis could wreak havoc on blood arteries all over the body, including the heart. Heart illnesses and heart attacks are more common in persons with RA.
However, difficulty breathing might also indicate an underlying problem like lung swelling or infection. Therefore, if you regularly find yourself experiencing chest discomfort or out of breath, you should see a doctor.
- Reduced Mobility
The inflammation linked to rheumatoid arthritis could sometimes be so intense that joints become locked and incapable of moving. This locking occurs once the tendons around a joint get swollen to the point where joint mobility is almost unattainable. A locked knee joint might be misinterpreted for a meniscus tear; hence, a thorough evaluation by a specialist is critical whenever managing locked joints and restricted mobility.
- Numbness/Tingling in Your Hands/Feet
Rheumatoid arthritis could trigger numbness or tingling in your feet or hands due to swelling of the tendons and ligaments. Although this inflammation could happen anywhere on the body, it is most frequent around the wrists. If your hands’ tissues become squeezed, it is termed carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Red, dry eyes
Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition that often impacts the lips and eyes, is more prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This condition impairs the tear glands in the eyes, inducing redness and dryness.
- Fever
A fever that occurs in conjunction with joint discomfort, swelling, and numbness can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Fevers and infections are more prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in non-RA individuals since the illness has impaired their immune systems.
Other indicators of rheumatoid arthritis include overall weariness, morning stiffness, reduced appetite, and dry mouth.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious condition that must not be overlooked. If you have any of the symptoms described above, you likely have rheumatoid arthritis. During your initial visit, your doctor will appropriately diagnose your condition and explore the available treatment alternatives for you. Call Clover Internal Medicine or use the online scheduling tool to request an appointment online today.
