| Rheumatoid arthritis can affect anybody at any age, | | | | of rheumatoid arthritis that starts with a high fever and |
| but it most often develops between the ages of 30 | | | | other general symptoms is named Still's disease. |
| and 50. More than 75% of those that become | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis can be somewhat difficult to |
| affected are women. It can take the form of a mild | | | | diagnose in its early stages for a variety of reasons. |
| expression with irreversible damage only appearing | | | | And presently there is no single test for the disease. |
| after decades, or a bony erosion can be present in | | | | Many other conditions resemble this disease and its |
| early stages of the disease. | | | | symptoms can develop and become severe. It can |
| It can affect connective tissue in many different parts | | | | create an inflammation in the lining around the heart, but |
| of the body. Inflammatory skin nodules at pressure | | | | that usually has no symptoms. If symptoms do begin |
| points, such as at the elbow, can appear suddenly or | | | | to develop, it may cause a shortness of breath or |
| gradually, and may be tender to the touch and | | | | some chest pain. |
| sometimes become inflamed. It can also cause other | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis will make one's joints feel stiff and |
| problems in the body, such as vasculitis (inflammation | | | | can leave one feeling generally tired and unwell. |
| of the blood vessels), osteoporosis (loss of bone | | | | Another common symptom is that the hands may |
| density),rheumatoid nodules (small bumps) under the | | | | become twisted or bent. |
| skin, lung disease, and disorders of the blood. A form | | | | |