About Pain | Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, debilitating condition that can include inflammation of the joints, stiffness, loss of mobility, and even deformities. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition, and those suffering from this condition should definitely keep in contact with a trusted family physician. This condition normally afflicts older individuals, but can commonly begin to show up in people as young as 20 years old. Statistically, women are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than men, and can result in complications with osteoporosis. It is rare, but this disease can also show up in young children.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis


The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are fairly straight-forward, and can be easily recognized. The most obvious symptom is intense pain and weakness in your joints. This pain and weakness is usually found in the smaller joints of the hands and feet, making it very difficult to do basic tasks that involve fine motor skills. Loss of mobility in the joints, coupled with intense stiffness and soreness, is a common symptom. During an arthritic flare up, it is not uncommon for high amounts of fatigue to be felt in those afflicted. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can result in physical deformity at the site of the affliction. These deformities often only surface after a very prolonged time frame, making it highly unlikely that this symptom will show up before you know you have rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to make sure that you consult a qualified physician and undergo a full medical checkup if you believe you may have this condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is no definitive test that can yield a positive "yes/no" verdict on whether or not you have rheumatoid arthritis. It is a very difficult disease to diagnose, and a positive diagnosis is often the result of a number of factors. Doctors run a number of tests to diagnose certain auxiliary conditions that come hand in hand with rheumatoid arthritis. They will then take the results of those test, compare them to your health history and other contributing factors, and then decide whether they believe you have rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are many aggressive treatment programs that exist today that can significantly help to manage your pain and discomfort. By fighting the condition at an early stage, it is possible to manage rheumatoid arthritis and provide a high quality of life for those afflicted.