5 Early Warning Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can differ from patient to patient, but if you suspect you might have this condition, what should you look for? Recognizing the warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be crucial to your overall health and extremely helpful to medical professionals in diagnosing the disease. RA can start out with minor symptoms that come and go, usually on both sides of the body, and become progressively worse as the months go on. Symptoms are always changing and may not manifest the same way in you, as in someone else you know. Below we've detailed the early warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis that you may notice if you have the disease. If you are experiencing these signs, you may want to talk with your doctor and see what the next steps will be.

1. Numbness and tingling

When your tendons are inflamed, this could put pressure on your nerves. Your joints could experience a numbness, tingling, or burning feeling. Your joints may even make a crackling or squeaking noise when you move; this is damaged cartilage rubbing against the joints.

2. Joint swelling

Mild swelling of the joints is typical to see in the early stages of RA. Your joints may seem bigger than normal and may be warm to the touch.

3. Joint stiffness

Different from degenerative arthritis like osteoarthritis, stiffness in the joints typical of RA lasts for several hours, instead of just in the morning. It can also reoccur after long periods of inactivity such as sitting or naps.

4. Fatigue

Feeling exhausted is something you might experience before any other warning signs come into play. Fatigue can come and go from day to day, or month to month, and starts before other symptoms. This fatigue may also bring on a general feeling of sickness, or even depression.

5. Several joints are affected

Normally, (but not always) RA affects joints on both sides of the body. Because of this phenomenon, RA is referred to as a symmetrical form of arthritis. To start, the small joints of the hands, wrists, and feet are normally affected. It would be unusual to experience RA in one wrist and not the other. It can also move to the larger joints such as the knees, shoulders, and elbows. These are just 5 of many early warning signs that could point toward rheumatoid arthritis. Not everyone with the disease will experience all of these symptoms and some people may experience ones that are not listed here. We hope by outlining these warning signs, you are now in the know about what your body may be experiencing if you develop RA. As with any disease or medical condition, we recommend you seek a medical professional's advice if you start seeing these warning signs. If you are diagnosed with RA, your doctor will walk you through a care plan that's right for you. Many people also add an all natural joint support supplement to their daily routine to help support everyday joint comfort alongside that care. Not sure how to choose a joint supplement? We can help. Download our free eBook How To Choose The Right Joint Supplement here:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement.