Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that not only affects the joints, but the whole immune system. Many patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis also experience fatigue, dry eyes and mouth, shortness of breath, and skin problems. The good news is, with the advancement of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments, many patients can live a healthy, normal life. In this episode, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, explains the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the misconceptions many have about it.

The onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis is very gradual. Often the symptoms are worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. Because of inflammation, many patents experience restlessness at night and can have flu-like fatigue, fevers, and aches. In this video, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, discusses the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Sitting down and listening to a patient’s story is the first step in diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. While swollen joints are a large indicator of Rheumatoid Arthritis, there are many other symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety and depression, and stiffness. Doctors are diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis much earlier now, to prevent joint damage and begin treatment as soon as possible. In this video, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, explains the diagnosis process of Rheumatoid Arthritis.