There are so many rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that it is hard to tell whether you are at risk for this condition or not. It is said that if you feel like you have a minor version of the flu it could be rheumatoid arthritis. How is anyone supposed to know if they are sore and achy from some small cold or the early stages of the flu, or if it supposed to be something more serious? It seems as though doctors want us to come in and see them every time we have even the most minor of symptoms, but who can realistically do that? There are very few people who could really go to the doctor that often, but it appears that it is becoming necessary. When people are facing a diagnosis as serious as rheumatoid arthritis, they need to know as soon as they possibly can to give them the best chance at avoiding the majority of the tissue degeneration. The longer this condition goes undiagnosed, the worse the symptoms can get for the patients. It may be easier to diagnose this condition if it did not have such confusing symptoms, and maybe more people would go into the doctor to find out what was wrong.