Ten Early Warning Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that results in inflammation of the joints. In a healthy person, the immune system helps to fight off infection. For people with RA, the immune system functions incorrectly and attacks the cells in the lining of the joints causing inflammation.

It can be tricky to identify RA in its early stages as many of the initial signs and symptoms are vague or can indicate a range of other conditions, especially other forms of arthritis. Despite this, it’s important to try and recognize the signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis as soon as possible because this allows an effective treatment plan to be put in place that will slow down and prevent damage to the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis natural treatment can be used alongside or instead of conventional medical interventions.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) begins quite gradually with minor symptoms that may come and go. Read on to identify the most common early indications of this disorder.

#1 – Tiredness, feeling generally run down, and low mood

A feeling of unusual tiredness or weakness that comes and goes, a general sense of being under the weather, possibly accompanied by a low mood, may be apparent weeks or months in advance of any other symptoms. This might be accompanied by other minor signs such as a dry mouth or itchy and swollen eyes. You may also find that you don’t have much of an appetite, lose weight, and have trouble sleeping. These indications are all caused by the body reacting to the abnormal inflammation caused by RA.

#2 – Anemia

Bone marrow reacts to the inflammation characteristic of RA by reducing the number of red blood cells released into the body. Therefore, if you find you are anemic and you’re experiencing some of the other early symptoms, this may be a clue that RA is present.

#3 – Minor fever

Alongside other symptoms, a slight, low-grade fever can indicate the onset of RA. However, a high temperature is unlikely to be a symptom of RA.

#4 – Chest pain when you breathe

Rarely, RA can cause the tissues in your lungs to become inflamed. This may cause pain which becomes worse when you breathe. This is known as pleurisy and may be a prompt to check for other symptoms of RA.

#5 – Morning stiffness

As we get older, a little stiffness in the morning is something that most of us experience from time to time. If this stiffness lasts for hours, rather than minutes, it could be a symptom of RA.

#6- Stiffness in small joints

Feeling stiffness in a smaller joint, such as in the wrists or hands, is one of the more common early indications of RA. It can come on slowly or quickly and affect one or more joints. One key characteristic of RA is that it tends to affect both sides of the body. So, if you are experiencing stiffness in the same small joints on both sides of your body, this could be a reason to check for RA.

#7 – Tenderness in small joints

Often after experiencing stiffness in a joint, pain and tenderness will follow. The wrists and the fingers are the places where early signs of RA like joint pain are most likely to appear although it is not uncommon to experience tenderness at the base of the toes, the heel, or the top of the foot. Putting pressure on the joint is likely to make the pain worse. The amount of pain experienced may be significantly more severe than the appearance of the joint might suggest and may contribute to the inability to sleep well at night.

#8 Numbness and tingling

You may experience something similar to carpal tunnel syndrome which is a tingling or numbness in your hands. This is caused by the inflamed tendons pressing against your nerves.

#9 – Swelling, warmth, and redness in small joints

Your joints may look slightly red and swollen as a result of inflammation of the tissues and blood vessels lining the joint and because of excess joint fluid. This can also cause joints to feel warmer to the touch than the surrounding skin. If you find you are suddenly having difficulty putting on or removing rings this could be an early sign of RA.

#10 – Loss of function in the joint

The combination of tenderness and swelling in a joint may impair its ability to function. For example, if you are experiencing problems with your hands or wrists you may find it difficult to grip, if the symptoms are in your feet or ankles it may affect your balance.

Homeopathic Medicine

When carefully and accurately prescribed by a well-trained, homeopathic doctor, homeopathic remedies can provide significant relief from acute and chronic arthritis. Worldwide clinical research has proven the effectiveness of homeopathy for arthritis, including autoimmune and rheumatoid arthritis. Find a homeopathic physician near you at https://homeopathyusa.org/member-directory.html

Final Thoughts

Currently, there is no conventional cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, alternative medicines can provide significant benefits for this condition when prescribed by well-trained alternative medicine doctors. Early detection through an awareness of the most common early symptoms is the best way to avoid the irreversible damage to the joints that may occur if it is left untreated.