Discover The Early Symptoms for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis sufferersdo not usually accompany the early symptoms for
are so similar to the symptoms of other diseases thatrheumatoid arthritis.
it can be hard for doctors to make a diagnosis. In mostThe detection of rheumatoid nodules will almost
cases, joint pain is one of the first symptomsdefinitely lead to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
rheumatoid arthritis sufferers usually report. But, earlyThese are lesions that develop on the skin and are
signs of rheumatoid arthritis may also include: fatigue,caused by inflammation of the small blood vessels.
loss of appetite, muscle aches and a general sense ofThis is not usually one of the first symptoms
not feeling well that may seem similar to a mild caserheumatoid arthritis sufferers report, but it does set
of the flu.them apart from those who suffer from osteoarthritis,
Most people initially consult their primary care or familyin which inflammation is only present in the joints.
physician and treatment may begin with antibiotics, painThe early signs of rheumatoid arthritis in children may
relievers or other courses of action that can rule outalso be hard to spot, because many children with the
other conditions. If the primary care physician suspectsdisease do not complain of joint pain. Parents or
that the patient is experiencing early symptoms forphysicians typically notice redness, heat or swelling
rheumatoid arthritis, he or she may refer the patient toaround the joints and begin searching for other clues.
a rheumatologist. And still, there may be more waiting.Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a serious condition
Four of the factors used in diagnosing the diseaseaffecting approximately 50,000 children in the United
must be present for six weeks before a positiveStates alone.
diagnosis can be made. As mentioned, joint pain is oneAs those who suffer from the early symptoms for
of the first symptoms rheumatoid arthritis sufferersrheumatoid arthritis wait for an "official" diagnosis, they
report, but joint pain is also present in osteoarthritis, alook for relief from joint pain and stiffness. Clinical
much more common disease. So, the Americanresearch has shown that one of the healthiest and
College of Rheumatology devised some guidelines tomost side effect free option for relieving joint pain and
help doctors distinguish the pain of rheumatoid arthritisinflammation is dietary supplementation with
from the pain of other forms of arthritis.inflammation fighting omega-3 fatty acids. And the best
According to the American College of Rheumatology,source of omega 3 fatty acids is most commonly
if any or all of the following symptoms have beenfound in fish oil.
present for at least 6 weeks, doctors should considerFor example, according to the University of Maryland's
a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms are:Medical Center's website:
morning stiffness lasting for more than one hour,"Most clinical studies investigating the use of omega-3
arthritis (inflammation) of three or more joints, arthritisfatty acid supplements for inflammatory joint conditions
of the hand joints, and/or arthritis in the same joint onhave focused almost entirely on rheumatoid arthritis.
both sides of the body (i.e. both knees).Several articles reviewing the research in this area
These may or may not be early signs of rheumatoidconclude that omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduce
arthritis. Blood tests for "rheumatoid factor" are usuallytenderness in joints, decrease morning stiffness, and
ordered, but this may or may not be helpful. Jointallow for a reduction in the amount of medication
changes may be seen on an x-ray, but joint changesneeded for people with rheumatoid arthritis.