Are swollen joints a sign of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease with vague symptoms and progressive progression over time. Therefore, the detection of this pathology is often not easy and misdiagnosed with many other diseases. So, is swelling and pain in the joints a sign of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as polyarthritis, is a chronic disease that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the main internal tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints, causing swelling, pain, and can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.
This greatly affects the patient's daily activities such as writing, dressing, opening bottles, carrying objects,... Especially when arthritis is in the ankle, knee or foot joints. It will make it difficult for the patient to stand and bend over.
This disease not only destroys and damages the body's joints, but also the body's systems including skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

One of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is painful swelling of the joints. Up to two-thirds of rheumatoid arthritis patients have initial manifestations of inflammation of one joint, usually a small joint in the hand, with swelling and pain accompanied by difficulty in movement, especially when waking up. In the early stages, when the new joint is hot and swollen and is detected and treated actively and properly, the disease can progress well.
In addition to joint pain, the patient may also have symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue, numbness of the extremities, weight loss, joint pain, ... The next development of rheumatoid arthritis may be is an inflammation that spreads down to the joints of the knees, feet, ankles, toes,... Usually bilaterally symmetrical, swollen joints more painful and limited basic movement.
When there is damage to joint cartilage and bone ends, the risk of joint deformity, ankylosing spondylitis, joint stiffness, loss of mobility or disability is very high. Therefore, when detecting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, patients should immediately visit a doctor for timely detection and treatment.

The process by which the membrane of the membrane that surrounds the joints is attacked by the body's immune system leading to inflammation and can destroy the cartilage and bone in the joints, forming rheumatoid arthritis. However, the exact cause of this condition is still unknown. But most research results indicate that genetic factors may be involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
Although some genes do not directly cause disease, they can make a person more susceptible to environmental factors, such as infection with certain bacteria or viruses, and trigger the disease.

Cartilage is a layer that covers the bones in a joint to prevent the bones from touching each other. When the cartilage layer is worn down and degraded, the ends of the bones will touch each other, creating intense pain. Hence the development of osteoarthritis.
Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the autoimmune system attacks the surrounding tissue of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis affects many joints, and can also affect other body tissues and organs.
Osteoarthritis symptoms include:
Joint pain especially after repeated use of the affected joint. Joint stiffness in the morning lasts up to 30 minutes. Swollen and hot joints after inactivity. Joint swelling limits joint movement. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Joint pain and stiffness. Joint swelling. Joint mobility is limited. Red hot around the joint. Morning stiffness that lasts for an hour or more. Too tired. Low notes appear. Injury to symmetrical joints. Injury to the small joints of the hands and feet. Heart, kidney, and lung disease may also be involved. These two joint diseases often have many similarities in clinical symptoms, especially swelling and pain in the joints. However, with rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to swelling and pain in the joints, patients may also experience many other symptoms. Therefore, patients should go to medical facilities to get the most accurate diagnosis, to avoid confusion between these two diseases, making the treatment process ineffective.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease for which there is no specific treatment. Patients can only control the situation of the disease by using drugs such as pain relievers; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); bioproducts; corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone and prednisone.
In addition, the patient should make dietary changes and perform specific range of motion exercises for rheumatoid arthritis patients. This process will help control pain and control inflammation. At the same time, it can help relieve arthritis if actively participate in treatment. Good management of the condition will help prevent damage to joints and several other organs in the body.
Early detection and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is really necessary, so if you have signs of this disease, you should go to reputable facilities with orthopedic specialties such as Vinmec International General Hospital to are examined and have effective treatment methods, avoiding unwanted complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.