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Rheumatoid arthritis is becoming increasingly common and is one of the worst possible health conditions. Arthritis is of seven types and rheumatoid arthritis is one of those, which falls under the autoimmune category. Osteoarthritis is still the most common forms of arthritis found amongst people, affecting their joints due to age factors, trauma or specific infections. Rheumatoid arthritis is different as it leads to a situation of the body turning against itself, though the condition is triggered off by a series of factors. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are many, and initially start with mild aches and pains, but over time take severe forms.

Described in brief, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic ailment, caused in response to some external factor triggering a systemic autoimmune condition. The joints swell up and begin to worsen in physical fitness over time, creating long-term pain and discomfort. The beginning symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are inflamed and painful fingers and toes. The disorder mostly affects the joints, but around 15% of rheumatoid arthritis patients are also affected with extra-articular (beyond the joint areas) symptoms.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are not constant, as they tend to appear as ?flare-ups?; that is they crop up suddenly after a period of well-being, and it could be at any time of day or night. However, it is generally found that patients are worst affected with pain in the morning hours, shortly after waking up. As the day progresses, the inflammation reduces and is minimal by the time night sets in. The only plausible explanation could be that sleep reduces activity and leads to stiffness, which gradually disappears with movement.

After rheumatoid arthritis starts to diffuse around the human system, it generally affects all the joints, including shoulders, elbows, jaws and hips. The swelling commonly affect in pairs, often causing discomfort in both elbows or both knees etc. The typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are joint swelling, pain and stiffness, mostly seeing with additional redness and a faint burning sensation around the joints.

A set of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, are referred to as secondary symptoms. These are connected to general health conditions as a response to the pain. These could be loss of appetite, anxiety, stress, depression, anemia, nodules under the skin, and a general feeling of being ill. Over 25% of the patients complain of skin nodules, specifically in the forearms and in the elbows. Though painless, they are small lumps that can be felt and sometimes seen as bumps on the skin. Anemia is a condition of inadequate red blood cells to carry oxygen to the whole body, and it leads to fatigue, and laziness. This is found in over 80% of the patients.

Severe rheumatoid arthritis can also cause fever and weight loss due to the combination of other symptoms. The discomfort often drives patients to sleep deprivation, weakness and constant pain. Most patients suffer from anxiety and depression because of this and as a result, they become more physically ill. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis also include inflammation of other body parts, such as the lining of the heart and lungs, blood vessels, tear glands and salivary glands.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis point to a series of risk factors like age, gender, genetic history and harmful habits like smoking. Women in the 40-60 age group are at a higher risk. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is rare but not unheard of. This condition is generally not hereditary, but dormant genes can flare up with certain triggers.