Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis simply defined is an inflammation of one or several joints in the body which causes pain, swelling, limited movement and stiffness. Very often, the same joints are affected on both sides of the body in arthritis.

Symptoms usually develop slowly over months. Weight loss and even low-grade fevers occur in some people. Your affected joint may be especially stiff in the morning or after long periods of sitting. Any joint in the body can be affected by arthritis but ankles, knees, feet, elbows, neck, wrists and hands are the most common ones. There are many (over 100) different types of arthritis. Since there are so many types, of arthritis, the symptoms of it can vary but some are common in all types.

The first symptom of arthritis is joint pain or tenderness. This pain usually gets worse with movement. Inflammation of a joint is another symptom. This is often accompanied by swelling, stiffness, warmth or redness. Move may become limited in the affected joint (limited range of motion). Extreme fatigue and/or weakness also is a sign. Numbness and tingling in your hands may be another sign. Your doctor will consider all your symptoms along with clinical tests in making an diagnosis of arthritis. A physical exam, blood tests and x-rays can all be used to diagnosis arthritis.

There is no way to cure arthritis.Treatment of arthritis is aimed at pain relief and keeping mobility in the affected areas. Arthritis is usually done in three stages, medication to relive pain and inflammation, rest to let the area heal and exercise to keep or regain mobility and strength. These are not arthritis cures but can all be very helpful with giving you arthritis pain relief.

Your doctor will recommend pain relievers, anti inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and applications of heat to heal and cure arthritus in the affected joints. All of these combined should give you arthritis relief. There is no cure for arthritis, but working closely with your doctor, physical therapists and occupational therapists you will get pain relief and be able to keep your quality of life and manage your arthritis also.