Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that affects joints. For many people with RA, it starts in the small joints of the hands and feet before spreading to other areas of the body. You might experience some pain or stiffness in these joints and feel tired more often than usual. You may also have fever, weight loss, and morning joint stiffness that may last for up to two hours early in the day. Fortunately, there are treatments to help manage your RA symptoms.