Rheumatoid arthritis

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the joints. It causes pain, bruising and stiffness, particularly in the fingers and toes. Cooling during a pain episode can bring relief, but treatment with anti-inflammatory medication is advisable in the long term.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

The wrist and small finger joints are often affected. Symptoms tend to come and go in 'flares'.

• Swelling
• Pain (gets worse with movement)
• Stiff joints (particularly in the morning)
• Overheating
• Red skin

Other symptoms

• Misalignment of joints (in particular the fingers)
• General feeling of being unwell
• Weakness, fatigue
• Nausea
• Skin rashes
• Recurring fever

As the disease progresses it can also affect other organs (e.g. inflammation of tendons, tendon sheaths, heart, skin and/or eyes).

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Autoimmune disorder
  • Cause is unclear
  • Suspected to be genetic predisposition, coupled with an infection by a pathogen that triggers a defence response

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Careful examination of the affected joints
• Blood tests (typical “rheumatoid factors”)
• X-ray (e.g. hands)
• Ultrasound (sonography)
• Joint aspiration to remove fluid from swollen joints (using a needle and syringe)

Possible therapies

• Cooling
• Painkillers
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

What can I do myself?

• Keep the painful joint at rest during a flare-up
• Cooling compresses or ointments

Get a personal Preventive Care Recommendation now

When to see a doctor?

• Painful joints that are usually stiff in the morning
• Regularly recurring swelling, redness and pain in the joints
• Misalignment of joints (in particular hands and feet)

Further information

Swiss League against Rheumatism (Rheumaliga Schweiz)
www.rheumaliga.ch

Synonyms

Rheumatoid arthritis