A proper diagnosis and lifestyle management is essential for pain relief in rheumatoid arthritis. So, what are the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis? Knowing them will allow you to take appropriate medical action as soon as possible and can help greatly to control your problem.
As is the case with many other diseases and health problems, the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis are hard to detect to make the right diagnosis by physicians and health experts. Pain is one of the early symptoms that sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis usually report.
However, some other early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis also include -- loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle pain and a general feeling of un-wellness.
In most cases, on the occurrence of early symptoms for arthritis, people consult their family doctor or physician and undergo initial treatment of antibiotics and pain reliever medications which gives them relief from pain. They might be referred to a rheumatologist if their symptoms are more apparent and clear.
Pain is generally reported by sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, but similarly it is also an early symptom of osteoporosis. Therefore, the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis must be present for around 6 months before it can be positively diagnosed.
The American college of Rheumatology has established a set of clear guidelines. They have been established to help the doctors in differentiating the pain of rheumatoid arthritis from the other types of arthritis pains.
The guidelines state that if one or more of the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis have been present for a period of at least 6 months, then physicians should be considering the diagnosis of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). The symptoms that they have laid out are as follows --
-- Morning stiffness that lasts for a period of more than one hour.
-- Inflammation in hand joints
-- Arthritis (inflammation) in 3 or more joints
-- Arthritis (inflammation) in the same joint that is present on both the sides of the body, for example on both the knees.
Other than this, a blood test is usually required to confirm the "rheumatoid factor". If the presence of rheumatoid nodules is found, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis would be confirmed. They are a type of wound on the skin that has been caused due to inflammation in the small blood vessels.
Supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet has been found as one of the most effective, healthiest, natural and side effect free option for reducing inflammation and for long-term pain relief from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil and its supplements are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been found to reduce tenderness in joints, reduce inflammation, decrease morning stiffness and reduce the need of taking other prescription drugs for pain relief in rheumatoid arthritis. They are effective for prevention of pain and further development of the disease once the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis have been detected.
Vijay K Raisinghani is a Natural Healthcare Expert and a passionate advocate of Omega 3 Fish oils for a healthy mind and body. His website http://www.your-omega3-fish-oil-guide.com provides a wealth of information on what works and what doesn't work in Omega 3 fish oils to achieve a young, vibrant and robust health.
