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When it comes to diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in Alamo, TX, there are certain things that you should pay attention to. There are many diseases and conditions that mirror some of the symptoms, so it's easy to mistake the clues for another issue that you could be struggling with. You should meet with a doctor to discuss some of the things that you've been experiencing that hints at this as the root of the problem. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help you determine if you should speak with your doctor about whether or not this is the case and what treatment you should seek to remedy it. Here are 4 questions you should ask yourself to help you: Do You Have Joint Stiffness? Joint stiffness is the telltale sign that sets this disease apart from others. You may have fluid around your joints, such as your wrists and fingers. The joints may feel warm, tender, swollen, stiff, and painful. They may also look red. Most people will experience at least 3 different joints with problems. It may start at 1 part of the body and spread to others, such as your knees, neck, shoulders, elbow, feet, hips, and jaw. They typically experience the pain symmetrically, so if there is pain in 1 wrist, they usually have pain in the other wrist, too. Do You Have Nodules? Rheumatoid nodules are firm lumps on the skin at various pressure points on your body, such as the elbow. The lumps are usually flesh colored. Along with the nodules, there may be spots on the fingers and toes that look red or black. Have You Observed Any Physical Changes? There are lots of physical changes that can signify that you may have this condition. Many times, this type of arthritis mimics symptoms of the flu. For example, a person may lose weight, caused by a loss of appetite. A person may also feel fatigue, fever, and weakness. With the weakness, many people will experience bone loss and broken bones as the disease eats at the bones around the joints, especially in the hands and wrists. Have You Experienced Shortness of Breath? As the disease spreads to the lungs and heart, people often experience shortness of breath along with the inflammation of the lungs and lining of the lungs. When it gets to the heart, a person could experience chest pain. This could be serious, so it's important to see a doctor if a person experiences shortness of breath, that could make it difficult to breathe, or chest pain, that could signify a heart condition. Should You Run a Blood Test? Other than an x-ray, blood tests are the best way to confirm the diagnosis. When a person experiences this disease, he or she will have a change to their blood. You could have an increase level of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, a higher rheumatoid factor, or an elevated erthrocyte sedimentation rate. If you think that you have this disease, ask your doctor for a blood test to check these levels and determine whether or not you can confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in Alamo, TX, you should ask yourselves these questions. Of course, shortness of breath doesn't mean you have this disease and unexpected weight loss doesn't mean you have it either; however, if you have several of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor. This is especially true if you have joint problems coupled with other symptoms. When you have a diagnosis, you can work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that will work for you.
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