Rheumatoid arthritis (patient information)
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What is rheumatoid arthritis?
How do I know if I have rheumatoid arthritis and what are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis come and go, depending on the degree of tissue inflammation. When the disease is active, the following symptoms appear.
- Morning stiffness in the joints
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Rheumatoid nodules: Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on the arms
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low fever
- Weight loss
- When heart is affected, patient may show signs of chest pain, shortness of breath or edema of lower limbs.
Who is at risk for rheumatoid arthritis?
As a autoimmune disease, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear.
How to know you have rheumatoid arthritis?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for rheumatoid arthritis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating rheumatoid arthritis
Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/876.printerview.html
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/rheumatoid_arthritis_ff.asp
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000431.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020