Symptoms and Complications
Rheumatoid arthritis can either develop gradually or begin without warning
as a sudden, painful episode. The first signs of it often feel like the
flu, with general muscle and joint pain. Just after getting up in the morning,
or following a period of inactivity, the joints will feel stiff. This can last
for under an hour but, as the rheumatoid arthritis gets worse, the discomfort
will last for longer periods.
The disease begins by attacking joints in the hands, wrists, and feet, and
can later spread to the elbows, shoulders, neck, jaw, hips, knees, and ankles.
As a result of being painfully inflamed, joints can become deformed as the tissue
in them is destroyed. Up to 30% of people develop hard lumps (nodules)
under their skin, around bony areas such as the knees and elbows. If tear and
saliva glands are affected, it can result in dry eyes and a dry mouth.
One-third of sufferers have a mild form of rheumatoid arthritis with very
few flare-ups of their symptoms. Ten percent might only have one painful
episode and then go for a long period with no other signs of the disease. For
many, though, symptoms only get worse over time.