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Generally, a person suffering from RA has painful swelling and inflammation in the joints. The inflammation gradually becomes chronic. Symmetry is typical in RA, with affected joints on both sides of the body - both wrists, both ankles, etc. Pain is constantly present, growing worse during physical activity and persisting even while at rest. The small peripheral joints - fingers, hands, wrists, feet, ankles - are the first to be affected, followed by the neck, elbows and knees. After prolonged rest, considerable stiffness adds to the pain and swelling, lasting several hours after waking. In time, damage to the joints increases in severity and the pain becomes increasingly acute. Since RA is a systemic disease, non-joint related symptoms may appear, including:
- Increased fatigue.
- Listlessness.
- Lack of appetite and weight loss.
- Moderately raised temperature, especially at night.
- Enlarged knobby joints.
- Generalized aching pain.
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