Arthritis is a common term for an illness that covers a broad spectrum that comprises more than one hundred illnesses. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, while rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is the most severe form of arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

How do you know which type of arthritis you have? There are certain symptoms present for different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

• Paleness

• Appetite loss

• Low-grade fever

• Range of motion is limited

• Numbness or Tingling Sensations

• Redness of skin

• Inflammation of skin

• Hand and foot deformities

• Swollen glands

• Nodules under the skin – round and painless

• Pleurisy – inflammation of the lungs

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can vary – and can include any of the above symptoms or all of the above symptoms. Different symptoms may be apparent at different stages of the disease. Consulting a physician with a list of your known symptoms can help you discover if rheumatoid arthritis is the type of arthritis you have.

Active and Inactive

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that can occur in stages. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be active or inactive. When the symptoms are inactive, the patient is in remission – and can have long periods of time with no symptoms present. Signs of a flare-up can include:

• Fatigue

• Aches in muscles and joints

• Stiffness in joints

• Low-grade fever can be present

• Appetite loss

• Joints can become red, swollen, painful, and tender

During a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, your daily routine can become severely limited. Things that you take for granted, like opening doors, opening jars, and sometimes, even walking, become too painful. At times like these, it is important that you understand that it is okay to let others help you.

Remission can occur at any time – there is no rhyme or reason. The symptoms can disappear at any time – and they can begin again at any time. Sometimes, the remission may last a few days and others times, it may last a few months.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

As with any medical illness, you should consult your physician for diagnosis. Once you have shared your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with your physician, he/she may suggest tests – including blood tests and x-rays of your joints. Your physician uses the results of these tests, along with your symptoms in order to make a diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been made, you should discuss your choices with your physician. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis – but many people have effectively managed to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. It is very important to maintain your overall health – physically and mentally – in order to manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. One very important thing to remember is that even if your rheumatoid arthritis is in remission and you have not shown any symptoms for months, it is important to maintain your healthy way of life. You should maintain your exercise routine in order to keep the muscles around your joints strong so that when your joints need to rely a little more on the muscles, the muscles will be able to carry the load.

Before you use medicine to treat your rheumatoid arthritis, you should educate yourself as much as possible. Learn all you can about the possible side effects, how the medication interacts with other drugs and foods, and how the medication will affect your daily life. For some people, controlling rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with medication may be the answer. Others may choose not to take the risks associated with the medications available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

For those who choose not to take that risk, there are many natural treatments that help to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. There are many herbal remedies that can be ingested to help ease the symptoms – and many herbal remedies that can be used as massaging oils and liniments to help ease the pain and inflammation of the joints. Many home remedies have been effective for people for years – the key is to find the one that will work for you.