Symptoms of Rheumatic Arthritis

Rheumatic arthritis is a form of arthritis caused by an autoimmune disease. All the typical symptoms of arthritis are typical of rheumatic arthritis, including joint inflammation and swelling. An additional symptom of rheumatic arthritis that isn't typical of other types of arthritis is that bones tend to wear down and pain also is evident in muscles. Organs also can be impacted, leading to a number of symptoms unrelated to joint or muscle pain.

Inflammation

Rheumatic arthritis causes the body to attack its own joints, leading to inflammation. This inflammation causes the body to send more blood to the area, resulting in swelling.

Joint and Muscle Pain

Joint and muscle pain is the primary symptom for people with rheumatic arthritis. Joints are usually the first area to become inflamed, with pain later moving into the muscles as they try to compensate for the extra wear on the joints and bones.

Stiffness

People with rheumatic arthritis usually suffer from extreme stiffness, which limits their mobility. This stiffness occurs when lactic acid is triggered by inflammation in the muscles and joints. Lactic acid builds up to repair the muscles, and the patient feels stiff and has difficulty bending their legs and arms.

Redness

When an area becomes inflamed, the body rushes blood to the area to help heal the damage. This results in visible redness in the area, and skin can vary in color from red to purplish blue.

Fatigue

A common symptom that is particular to people with rheumatic arthritis as opposed to typical arthritis is fatigue and loss of energy. Patients become fatigued when the disease impacts organs of their body, as opposed to their joints.

Loss of Appetite

If the disease impacts stomach organs, patients will experience a loss of appetite. This is a symptom that is not experienced often, but it is occasionally seen in patients with rheumatic arthritis.

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