Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the early symptoms of arthritis
• Part 2 of 3: Recognizing advanced arthritis symptoms
• Part 3 of 3: Distinguishing the main types of arthritis
• Tips
• Warning

According to experts, arthritis is a very common condition. It usually causes swelling or tenderness in one or more of the joints, along with pain and stiffness. There are different types of arthritis, but research has shown that the two most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joint erodes, while rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease. Since arthritis can get worse, it's best to seek medical treatment as soon as you recognize the symptoms. With treatment, you are more likely to be able to control the condition.

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Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the early symptoms of arthritis

1. Watch for any joint pain. Joint pain is the most common symptom of all types of arthritis. You may notice pain after exercise or heavy joint use, as is the case with "wear and tear" arthritis (OA), or in the morning on getting up and after periods of rest, which is more characteristic of RA.
   • Arthritic pain is usually described as dull, painful, and / or throbbing. The more destructive forms of arthritis can also cause sharp, stabbing pain.
   • Arthritic pain usually starts off mild, then gradually gets worse. The pain levels of OA gradually worsen, while some truly inflammatory types (such as gout attacks) suddenly become very painful.
2. Watch for joint swelling and redness. Although the term arthritis literally means joint inflammation, some types involve much more swelling than others. In general, the wear and tear of OA does not lead to much swelling or redness. RA, on the other hand, is associated with a lot of swelling and redness, as the body's immune system attacks the tissues of the joint capsule (synovial membrane). Gout is also often accompanied by a lot of inflammation due to the deposition of sharp uric acid crystals within joint capsules, especially of the big toe.
   • Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form in which the immune system attacks joints, so it is classified as an autoimmune disease, and swelling and redness are more noticeable.
   • RA causes not only serious inflammation in the affected joints (usually of the hands and wrists), but also (if less severe) throughout the body.
   • Inability to remove a ring from a finger is a sign of swelling in the joints of the hands.
3. Pay attention to joint stiffness. Stiffness is another common early sign of virtually all types of arthritis. It is the inability to move joints freely due to pain, swelling, and / or some degree of joint destruction. Along with stiffness, you may also feel or hear cracking when your joints move after periods of inactivity, especially with OA.
   • In principle, stiffness does not usually result in a reduced range of motion, but it is a sign that there is a problem in the joint that is likely to worsen.
   • Stiffness and other symptoms usually only occur on one side of the body in OA and gout, while both sides are typically involved in autoimmune diseases, such as RA and PsA.
   • Stiffness is usually worse in the morning with RA and PsA, but at the end of the day with OA.
4. Watch for unusual fatigue. Fatigue (extreme fatigue) can be another early sign of some types of arthritis, but not all. The autoimmune types (RA and PsA) tend to cause inflammation and other problems throughout the body, not just individual joints. As such, the body gets tired and exhausted from trying to fight all inflammation. Chronic fatigue can negatively affect emotions, mood, sex drive, attentiveness, creativity and productivity.
   • Fatigue from RA and PsA can also be associated with poor appetite and weight loss.
   • Other types of arthritis, such as OA, can lead to chronic fatigue if the joint pain is severe enough to significantly affect your sleeping and eating patterns.

Part 2 of 3: Recognizing advanced arthritis symptoms

1. Note a reduced range of motion. As pain, inflammation, stiffness, and / or damage in the joints increases, you eventually begin to lose the ability to move them normally. As such, reduced range of motion (limited movement) is a common sign of advanced arthritis and one of the leading causes of the disability. You may not be able to bend over that far or you may not be as flexible as you once were.
   • Decrease in range of motion is slow and gradual in OA, due to wear and tear of the cartilage eventually contacting the bones and as bony protrusions (osteophytes) form.
   • With RA and PsA, the range of motion often depends on the degree of joint swelling, which can come and go. Over time, however, RA and PsA are destructive to the cartilage and severely restrict joint movement.
   • Septic arthritis is caused by an infection in the joint and is characterized by sudden, severe pain and difficulty using the affected joint. This type of infection can destroy a joint quickly - within weeks.
2. Watch for sudden weakness. Weakness occurs along with progressive pain and a reduced range of motion in the joints. The weakness may be more due to trying to prevent pain or to the destruction of the joint's integrity. In addition, lack of exercise (as in arthritis patients) leads to loss of muscle tissue, which leads to loss of strength. You may find that you cannot lift or walk as much as you ever could. Your grip strength and handshake may not be as strong anymore.
   • Muscle atrophy (shrinkage and loss of strength) often occurs in the muscles that surround arthritic joints.
   • Weak muscles and joints feel unstable and usually shake or shake a little when they are put under greater strain.
   • Progressive weakness is accompanied by a loss of dexterity, dexterity and coordination. Having arthritis on your hands may make you feel clumsy and often drop things.
3. Watch for any joint deformities. Joint deformity or deformation eventually occurs in all forms of arthritis, although it can develop more quickly and become more noticeable in certain forms. RA is notorious for severe deformity in the hands and feet of joints, as the inflammation leads to erosion of cartilage and bone, as well as loosening of ligaments. In the long run, RA is more destructive than almost all other types and affects people the most.
   • OA can also lead to joint deformity, but not the extreme abnormalities that characterize RA.
   • If you notice lumps (nodules) (large, tender bumps) near your joints, it is likely a sign of RA. Nodules occur in 20-30% of RA cases, most commonly in the hands, feet, elbows, and knees.
4. Watch for skin changes. Another sign of late-stage arthritis has to do with skin changes. In addition to possible lumps, RA and PsA often cause characteristic changes in skin texture and color, both near painful joints and in distant locations of the body. RA tends to make the skin look redder, mainly due to the swelling of small blood vessels beneath the skin's surface (called vasculitis).
   • In contrast, PsA is usually associated with psoriasis, the formation of thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches.
   • Gout attacks are usually accompanied by crusty formations on the skin near the painful joint.
   • All types of arthritis that involve significant swelling and inflammation increase heat under the skin and can give it a leathery feel and appearance.

Part 3 of 3: Distinguishing the main types of arthritis

1. Understand what OA is. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and is caused by the gradual wear and tear of the joints due to overuse, obesity and / or joint injuries. OA is not associated with much inflammation and can often be managed by losing weight, alternating activities / exercises, being kinder to joints, and adjusting your diet (less sugar and preservatives, more water and fresh produce).
   • OA usually affects weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, and spine, although OA is also common in the hands.
   • OA is diagnosed by a physical exam and X-rays. Cartilage wear and the development of small bone spurs are characteristic of OA on X-rays.
   • Treatment for OA involves lifestyle changes and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
2. Learn about RA. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not nearly as common as OA, but has become somewhat more common in recent decades. What causes it is a bit of a mystery, but it has been hypothesized that the immune system becomes confused and accidentally attacks tissues and other parts of the body - also described as an overactive immune system. RA is characterized by a lot of inflammation and pain that can come and go.
   • RA usually affects the body bilaterally - the same joints on both sides of the body at the same time.
   • RA seems to have more of a genetic link, so if your close relatives have it, you're much more likely to develop it.
   • Women are much more likely to develop RA than men.
   • Unlike OA, children can be affected by RA - called juvenile idiopathic arthritis or JIA.
   • RA is diagnosed by a physical exam, X-rays and a blood test. Inflammation and joint deformity are characteristic of RA on X-rays. Between 70-80% of people with RA test positive for a marker in their blood called "rheumatoid factor".
   • Treatment for RA involves taking strong NSAIDs, as well as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological response modifiers (biologics).
3. Don't confuse gout with OA or RA. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood from a diet rich in purine. High levels of uric acid eventually precipitate in the blood, forming sharp crystals, which are deposited in and around the joints. The sharp crystals quickly cause a lot of inflammation and severe pain, usually in the big toe, but also in other joints of the feet, hands and limbs. Gout attacks are usually short-lived (a few days), but can recur regularly.
   • Uric acid crystals can form crunchy lumps or nodules called tophi around affected joints, which sometimes resemble RA.
   • Purine-rich foods include organ meats (liver, kidneys), bacon, shellfish, sardines, anchovies, chicken and gravy. Too much beer and red wine can also trigger gout attacks.
   • Gout is diagnosed by a physical exam, diet history, X-rays and a blood test. People with gout have high levels of uric acid in their blood (called hyperuricaemia).
   • Gout treatment focuses on the short-term use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids, as well as colchicine (Colcrys). Long-term prevention is based on dietary changes.

Tips

• Occasionally, inflamed joints will feel warm due to the build-up of fluid.
• It is possible to suffer from several types of arthritis at the same time.
• A healthy body weight has been proven to reduce the risk of gout and osteoarthritis.
• Protecting your joints from injury or repetitive movements can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis).

Warning

• If you suspect you have arthritis, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and disease-modifying drugs can alter the course of some forms (such as rheumatoid arthritis).