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Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

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What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the lining of the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis may damage joints so badly that they no longer function. This disease appears most often in young-adult to middle-age women. To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will ask about your health history and perform an exam. X-rays and blood tests may also be needed.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining (synovium) of the joints, sometimes causing swelling.

Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect most joints. But people tend to feel it in their fingers and wrists. The elbows, knees, and balls of the feet are also common sites. This disease often affects the same joint on both sides of the body. Symptoms may include:

Tender, inflamed joints. They may look red and feel warm.
Stiff joints. Long periods of rest or using a joint too long or too hard can make stiffness worse.
Joints that have lost normal shape and motion.
Feeling tired all the time.

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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.
Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem.
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Last Revised 07/2009 20351091(1)-12/03-EBS-CON

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