4

The 4 Most Common Indicators of Arthritis

The 4 Most Common Indicators of Arthritis

Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. It can be challenging to diagnose because the symptoms vary from person to person, but there are a few common indicators of arthritis to look out for. In this post, we’ll talk about these indicators, the importance of treating arthritis early, and more.

Most Common Indicators of Arthritis

Stiffness

If you believe you have arthritis, your joints will most likely feel stiff, and your range of motion will be limited. When are you most stiff?

  • In the morning (how long does it last?)
  • Following training
  • After sitting for an extended period

 

Swelling

Swelling is usually a clear indication of early arthritis. The area around your joints may feel warm, look red, or swollen. It may hurt only when you touch the joint or all the time, depending on the severity of your case. You may also feel like there is a liquid in the affected region. This is likely due to the tissue around your joints being inflamed.

Location of Pain and Stiffness

Knowing which joints hurt you the most will help your doctor figure out the source of your discomfort. Various types of arthritis affect other joints or in different patterns (both sides of the body or mostly on one side, for example).

  • Fingers
  • Hands
  • Wrists
  • Elbows
  • Knees
  • Ankles
  • Feet
  • Shoulders

Nature of Joint Symptoms

Knowing how your joints bother you the most will also help your doctor determine if you have arthritis or another physical condition. Do you have these joint symptoms?

  • Stiffness
  • Pain
  • Warmth
  • Redness
  • Joint swelling that lasts for more than three days
  • Joint swelling that occurs more than three times a month
  • Limited range of motion

The Importance of Treating Arthritis Early

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent future deformity and incapacity and help reduce collateral damage like atherosclerosis. Patients with early arthritis have a “window of opportunity.” Yes, the disease can be managed before irreversible joint deterioration. This window usually opens 3 to 6 months after the incipient of the disease.

Different Types of Arthritis

 

  • Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of inflammatory condition. It affects around two out of every one hundred adults in North America, and it’s incurable, meaning that you’ll be dealing with this for the rest of your life.
  • Osteoarthritis also involves inflammation, but unlike rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis can be treated and will usually go away on its own within a few years or so if left untreated.
  • Gouty arthritis occurs when uric acid builds up in your joints, creating intense pain and swelling, which typically lasts from days to weeks at a time depending on what brings it on (usually alcohol consumption). Gout often occurs when too much uric acid crystallizes and deposits in the joints. Symptoms of gout include sustained pain, swelling in joints (often the big toe), and redness.

Next Steps?

The spectrum of inflammatory arthritis is broad, and rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type. It is an unpleasant, discomforting disease that reduces lifespan and can significantly impact the health and lifestyle of the patient. 

Early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis can minimize the pain and potentially lengthen life. However, the “window of opportunity” in the early stages of the disease must not be overlooked. 

Arthritis is a condition that can be distorting, disabling, and potentially dangerous to your health, but it is treatable, especially when it is caught early.