Thousands of people around the world suffer from arthritis each day. This debilitating disease can often keep people from living their lives the way they wish, or from even getting around on a day to day basis. If you believe that you might be suffering from this condition, then review the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms below, and you will have a better idea whether this is the condition that you have or not. Joint Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Some of the most noticeable rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are those that affect the joints of the body. These are also the most painful of symptoms that occur, and can get quite bad as the condition worsens. Even after a person has been diagnosed with this disease, they may not experience all of these symptoms right away. Since arthritis affects various people in different ways and progresses at various rates so you may not experience all of these symptoms at once. The most common problem that those with rheumatoid arthritis will experience is pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints of the body. Areas that usually are affected the most include the hands, wrists, ankles, hips, knees, and neck. While other areas of the body can be affected as well, they are less common. Morning stiffness is especially common for those with this type of arthritis. After sleeping or laying still for more than a few hours, your body will experience periods of severe to moderate stiffness for up to several hours after you resume movement. Nodules that range in size often form in over a third of the people suffering from other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. These nodules are usually hard and painful, and develop at point of pressure throughout the body such as the fingers, lower leg bones, and spine. Additional Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms In addition to the joint symptoms associated with arthritis, there are also a wide range of miscellaneous symptoms that can be seen in patients as well. Numbness in the hands is one of the earliest signs of arthritis. This tingling and numbness can be felt at various times throughout the day, and mostly while you are sedentary. Other common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, and a loss of appetite. Although not all of these problems are likely to be experienced by the same person, they can be telltale signs of an impending arthritis problem.
