Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease you’ve probably heard of through prescription commercials that pass on your TV, but how much do you actually know about this condition? If you’re having joint pain, below are some of the most-asked questions about RA that can clarify whether you need to consult a specialist. 

Common Questions About Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which usually protects the body from harmful viruses and bacteria, mistakes the joints as a threat to the system and attacks them. This autoimmune response inflames the area and causes the synovium—the tissue that lines the inside of the joints—to thicken, which makes them swell and become painful. 

Who is affected by it?

In the U.S. alone, roughly 1.5 million people have RA. It occurs in women three times more than in men. For women, specifically, it begins between ages 30 and 60, while in men it becomes present at a later age. Your risk of having RA increases if you have a family member with the disease, but most people that have it have no family history. 

How can it affect my health?

If not treated, RA can damage cartilage as well as the bones in your joints. An eventual loss of cartilage will make the joint spacing between bones smaller, which makes them loose, unstable, and painfully immobile. You cannot reverse this effect of RA, and since it can occur early, doctors recommend early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to combat and control the disease. 

What are the symptoms of RA?

RA can occur throughout the body—namely at the joints in your hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles—and it has these symptoms:

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of joint function

Since RA is a chronic disease, there are periods known as “flares” when the symptoms become worse, as well as periods of remission where they disappear entirely. It’s important to notice these symptoms as they manifest themselves and treat them according to your doctor’s instructions. 

How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?

A primary care doctor will refer you to a rheumatologist if they believe that you display symptoms of RA. This specialist will then discuss with you your medical history and perform a series of diagnostic tests:

• Physical Exam: The rheumatologist will check each joint for swelling, tenderness, warmth, and painful or limited movement. They will check for symmetry of the symptoms, as they tend to occur on both sides of the body with RA. This exam can also uncover rheumatoid nodules or a low-grade fever, which both indicate this disease.
• Blood Tests: Your blood is sent to a lab to measure inflammation levels and biomarkers like antibodies. A protein called rheumatoid factor occurs in about 80% of RA patients but can occur in other inflammatory diseases, so it can help diagnose with limited assurance. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies occur primarily in RA patients, so they can help diagnose the disease, but they only exist in 60 to 70% of people with RA. Rheumatologists will use both to make an educated diagnosis.
• Imaging Tests: Rheumatologists will have you get X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs to look for joint damage like erosions or narrowing of the joint space. Sometimes these tests will show no damage, but this could also mean that your RA is in an early stage, and you can catch it before these symptoms arise. 

If you think it’s time to see a doctor about your joint pain, turn to a practice that has a primary care physician and a rheumatologist all under one roof. Urgent & Primary Care is one of the Albany, NY, area’s premier medical practices, with a trusted staff that will ensure your visit is stress-free and comfortable. The father-daughter team of Dr. Laxmikant Bhoiwala, who specializes in internal medicine, and Dr. Dipti Bhoiwala, a certified rheumatologist and board-certified in internal medicine, will help you navigate your RA from diagnosis to remission. For more information about their full range of medical services, call (518) 463-8262 or book a visit online.