| Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively | | | | possible. If a doctor does not diagnose the disease |
| unknown form of RA. Arthritis is a collective name | | | | properly, however, then that patient is not likely to |
| used to classify a condition that causes a certain set | | | | receive such medication until much later. |
| of symptoms. Of the various forms of arthritis that are | | | | This is why it is important that you know the signs and |
| known, this is considered one of the most common. | | | | symptoms well. You should also take the time and |
| A patient afflicted with RA will generally have the | | | | effort to find out if you have a family history of arthritis. |
| factor for the disease present in their blood. The | | | | This information will help doctors diagnose you with the |
| production of this factor increases as the disease | | | | condition if you have it. The worst possible thing is |
| progresses and it destroys the joints and muscles. | | | | having rheumatoid arthritis and not receiving proper |
| However, this factor is absent in some people who | | | | treatment for the condition. |
| display the other classic symptoms of arthritis, People | | | | Signs And Symptoms |
| who display other symptoms of arthritis but test | | | | The signs and symptoms of seronegative rheumatoid |
| negative are known to have seronegative rheumatoid | | | | arthritis are identical to those of normal arthritis |
| arthritis. | | | | diseases. Most patients complain of swelling and |
| While it has been suggested that people with this form | | | | inflammation in the joints. The knee and hip joints in |
| of RA have a mild form of the condition, this is untrue. | | | | particular are most often affected. Patients may also |
| People with the condition often suffer just as much as | | | | find nodules growing under their skin. These nodules |
| people with normal rheumatoid arthritis do. | | | | appear on certain parts of the body, and greatly aid in |
| Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often proves | | | | the diagnosis of the disease. |
| problematic. In a way, it means that patients test | | | | In certain cases, rheumatoid arthritis has been known |
| negative when subject to regular RA tests. This often | | | | to affect other organs such as the eyes and the lungs. |
| leads to misdiagnoses. Doctors are reluctant to | | | | Some patients suffering from RA also experience |
| diagnose a patient with a condition as serious as RA if | | | | extreme dryness in their eyes and mouths. If left |
| they are not absolutely sure of it. | | | | untreated, dryness in the eye can lead to corneal |
| The problem with this is that early treatment is | | | | damage, resulting in impaired vision. |
| essential with rheumatoid arthritis. Damage to the joints | | | | If you find that you are experiencing any of these |
| and bones can be stopped or at least slowed down | | | | signs and symptoms, then you must be sure to inform |
| using drugs. Once the damage has been done, | | | | your doctor. This will help greatly with the diagnosis, |
| however, it is permanent. Thus someone suffering | | | | and your doctor will be better able to determine if you |
| from RA should start using such drugs as soon as | | | | are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or not. |