Worsening joint pain and stiffness, especially after long periods of rest, are hallmark symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. But the disease can affect much more than just your joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joints to be painful, stiff, and swollen.
Coping with flares, or severe episodes of symptoms, is a particularly difficult aspect of RA.
An RA flare can involve an exacerbation (worsening) of any symptom of the disease, but it most commonly involves intense pain and stiffness in the joints.
Flares are often severe enough to interfere with everyday tasks, such as:
- bathing, grooming, and getting dressed
- preparing meals
- performing simple household chores
- driving
- holding utensils or opening doors
The hallmark symptoms of an RA flare are worsening joint pain, tenderness, and swelling in the:
The joints may be warm to the touch due to inflammation.
Joint stiffness for more than
RA is a complex disease that results in symptoms beyond just painful joints. These can include:
- fatigue
- weight loss
- fever
- pain throughout the entire body
- bumps (inflammatory nodules) under the skin
- rashes
- dry eyes
- flu-like symptoms
Unusual symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Rare symptoms of RA that may be evident during a flare-up include:
RA flare-ups cause a variety of sensations, including:
- pain or aching in more than one joint
- stiffness in more than one joint
- tenderness and swelling in more than one joint
- limited movement in joints and decreased mobility
- fatigue
- itchy skin
The duration and intensity of RA flare-ups vary. According to the U.K. National Health Service, they can last for hours to weeks. The U.S. Arthritis Foundation notes that they can last for months without treatment.
In a small 2017 study,
Knowing your body well enough to recognize a flare in the early stages is important. To prevent them from occurring, you need to find out what exacerbates or triggers your RA.
Keep a record of your symptoms, and note factors in your environment during a flare. For example, any of the following might trigger a flare:
- exercise
- certain foods
- change of medications
- smoking and other pollutants
- lack of restorative sleep
- allergies
- infections
- injuries
- stress
It may be time to contact a doctor if your worsening RA symptoms last for more than 2 days. If you find that your regular treatments and management techniques are not helping to relieve symptoms, a doctor can alter your treatment plan.
Emergency symptoms of RA flaresSome symptoms may suggest a rare emergency situation with RA. Seek urgent care if you experience:
- severe, throbbing headache
- sensory disruptions
- dizziness
- urinary difficulty
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
RA is a chronic disease, and it’s not always possible to prevent a flare-up. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a flare-up.
- identifying and avoiding your triggers
- following your doctor’s recommended treatment plan
- exercising regularly
- getting enough rest
- choosing activities that don’t put a lot of stress on your joints
- maintaining a moderate weight
- managing stress
- eating a healthy diet
What’s the worst that can happen with rheumatoid arthritis?
While joint pain from RA can be severe and can even lead to joint damage, RA may have more serious effects on other systems.
Does rheumatoid arthritis hurt all day?
With RA, you may not experience symptoms every day. But during flares —periods of worsening symptoms — it’s common for symptoms to last all day or even multiple days. Still, flare symptoms may be more significant at certain times of the day, such as when you wake up.
Joint pain and stiffness are the hallmark symptoms of RA flare-ups, but the disease can also affect you in other ways. Fatigue, fever, and rashes are also common symptoms of RA flares.
RA is a potentially debilitating disease, but you can lessen the effect it has on your life and your body with medication and dietary changes.
If you suspect that you have RA, it’s best to consult with a medical professional.