What Does It Mean to Have a Flare When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis?

In the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a flare refers to a sudden increase in disease activity and symptoms — a temporary worsening of joint inflammation and pain. Flares can vary in severity and duration, and may involve multiple joints or specific areas of the body. During a flare, you may experience:

• Joint pain and swelling: affected joints become more painful, tender, and swollen; the pain can be constant or worsen with movement.
• Stiffness: morning stiffness may be more prolonged and severe, often lasting longer than an hour.
• Fatigue: extreme tiredness and a general feeling of exhaustion, even with minimal physical activity.
• Reduced functionality: daily activities such as walking, gripping objects, or dressing become more challenging.
• Systemic symptoms: some people notice fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, or a general sense of feeling unwell.

Flares vary in frequency and intensity from person to person. They can be unpredictable and may occur despite following your treatment and self-care plan. Managing and minimizing flares typically combines medications prescribed by your care team — such as DMARDs, anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or biologic agents — with lifestyle modifications and self-care strategies. If a flare doesn't settle, call us so we can adjust your plan.

Adapted from our original post: read it on our blog.