Arthritis Symptoms - How to Recognize the Signs and How to Deal With it?
Arthritis Symptoms
The symptoms of arthritis vary from one to another dependant on the type of arthritis. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling and stiffness. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, rashes, lumps under the skin and flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can limit the body movement. How many types of arthritis are there? There are more than 100 types (some resources quote that there are about 200 types) of arthritis which can be simplified into 2 major categories:
Each has its own characteristic and specific symptoms. If you do not know the difference of inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis,
you may want to learn more here.
Majority of the causes of arthritis is unknown.
Inflammatory Arthritis Symptoms
Joints pain usually affects tips of fingers and toes with possible additional pain in the knees, elbows, hip, back, shoulders, feet, wrists and other locations of body
Inflammation, stiffness and lack of mobility in the joints
Feel hot when touched
Symmetrical pattern, affect both sides of the body simultaneously and almost equally
Possible swelling of the salivary glands or the tear glands
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss
Lumps under the skin
Attack can last for one day to several weeks, or even longer
Non-Inflammatory Arthritis Symptoms
Joint pain in the foot, knee, neck, hip, back, shoulders, hands and thumbs, or fingers
Unlike Inflammatory arthritis, joint pain can affect either side of the body with different degree of severity at the same time
Pain can be intensified by movement , weight bearing or when weather is humid
Pain can be alleviated by rest
Inflammation, stiffness, and pain in one or more part of your body
Pain and stiffness can be intermittent or with incremental pain along the time
Stiffness in the morning that disappear after a half hour of walking
Feel that your joint is crackling when you use it
Difficulty in movement
How Can You Find Out if You Have Arthritis?
Only a physician or doctor can determine if you have arthritis and what type it is. It is diagnosed based on the overall symptoms like where your pain located and how long it lasts, medical history like whether you injured before or anyone in your family has arthritis, physical exam, x-rays, imaging test like MRI and lab tests.
Dealing with Arthritis
There is no known cure for arthritis. However, you can follow the simple steps to relieve the arthritis symptoms by changing some daily habits in your current lifestyle.
Exercise: It helps to reduce pain, tiredness by keeping body active and flexible.
Weight management: Weight loss helps to alleviate pain by reducing stress on your joints.
Healthy Diet: Maintain healthy and balanced diet can help to cope with arthritis symptoms. Certain foods are thought to reduce pain and inflammation.
Joint Protection: Avoid using your weak and sore joints to carry heavy items.
Emotional: The emotional aspect on how arthritis affects you can be managed by communicating with your family members, doing meditation or joining your local arthritis support community.
Medication : Your doctor may prescribe drugs or medications to relieve your pain.
Surgery: In certain cases, surgery may be suggested when other treatment options have failed to alleviate the arthritis symptoms.
