Causes, Symptoms & Cures For Rheumatoid Arthritis

How Its Diagnosed

It's sometimes difficult to diagnose early-stage rheumatoid arthritis because the symptoms tend to line up with those seen in many other diseases. Right now, there's no physical symptom or singular blood test that can confirm a diagnosis. A doctor will do a physical exam and check the joints for warmth, redness, and swelling. They might also check the patient's muscle strength and reflexes. Blood tests may help indicate an inflammatory process is happening. Rheumatoid arthritis patients often have an elevated C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Blood tests can also look for anti-CCP antibodies. Imaging tests like X-rays might help track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis over time, while ultrasounds and MRIs can help doctors determine the disease's severity.