They always say that prevention is better than cure, and we concede to this truth. Arthritis does not only accompany people who are advancing in their years. However, they are prone to this condition than their younger counterparts.
Arthritis is characterized by the inflammation of one or more joints resulting to pain and stiffness. It gets worse as the victim advances in his or her years. Since it is gradual, there are accompanying symptoms and signs which pinpoint to this health dilemma. Know these symptoms and get the proper prescription to treat and/or manage the disease.
Signs and symptoms:
- Joint Pain, Tenderness and Stiffness
- You may not notice it but joint pain could be persistent, telling you all the while that you are experiencing the first signs of having arthritis. Also, doctors would want to know if the pain worsens during physical activity and goes away when you rest.
- Join tenderness, on the other hand suggests just its own name. Tenderness occurs encircling the join and could be associated with pain, effusion, swelling and soreness.
- Joint stiffness is considered one of the earliest signs of arthritis. It is described to be a feeling of discomfort after a time of inactivity which could occur during your waking up moment or after sitting for a long period of time.
- Inflammation of the Joint
- The inflammation can be seen with the redness just around the joint. When this happens, you must go immediately to your physician so he could run some tests. Joint inflammation can be triggered by many things, thus the need for further examination.
- Warm Joints
- Usually, when inflammation occurs, there is also warm feeling on that sore area. Joined together, they might signify infection which is a serious condition.
- Fever
- Fever is also a tell-tale sign of having arthritis most especially when it goes with inflammation, warmth, pain and stiffness of the joints.
- Extreme Feeling of Fatigue
- This feeling can be observed when you already slept for a total of 8 hours but you still feel tired.
- There are some types of arthritis that can be closely associated with lumps and bumps commonly known as ‘nodules.’ Let your physician evaluate them most especially if they are situated near your joint. Solid and subcutaneous lumps develop in about 25% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.