Arthritis Symptoms

In the United States, more than 50 million people have arthritis. This condition is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. There could also be redness or swelling of the affected areas. There are many different types of arthritis, with a variety of causes and treatment options.

Types of Arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the condition. The slick cushioning (cartilage) between the bones breaks down. The joint can eventually erode, and the bones then rub against each other. A person's risk of osteoarthritis increases with joint injury, excess weight and a having a family history of the condition.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the autoimmune system. The joints become inflamed and painful when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause damage to joints to the eyes and internal organs. Medication is available to reduce the risk of permanent damage and manage symptoms.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis Like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis a disorder of the autoimmune system. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint pain and fatigue plus those who suffer from this condition will also have rough, dry, painful lesions on their skin. Medication is available to manage the symptoms and prevent further damage.
  • Metabolic Arthritis Metabolic arthritis is caused when high levels of uric acid accumulate in the body. This can happen when too much uric acid is produced, or the body does not metabolize the acid effectively. This uric acid accumulates in the joints and forms needle-sharp, painful crystals. Gout sometimes accompanies this form of arthritis.

Arthritis Symptoms

While there are many types of arthritis and treatment options, they have several symptoms in common. The degree of each symptom could vary depending on the cause of arthritis and its severity. Joint pain is not the only arthritis symptom.

  • Pain in the joint/s
  • Swelling of painful joints
  • Stiffness of the joints
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Fatigue
  • Deformity of the affected areas
  • Decreased strength in the affected limbs
  • Low-grade fever
  • A grinding sensation
  • Rashes or redness
  • A feeling of warmth in the area
  • Tenderness

Treatment of Arthritis

Painful areas can be treated with heat to decrease stiffness or cold to reduce pain and inflammation. Doctors sometimes recommend the use of over the counter medications to reduce pain and swelling. Some doctors also recommend taking dietary supplements for joint flexibility.

Anyone suspected of having arthritis is advised to consult a health care professional.

Top 5 Routes for "Arthritis Symptoms"

  1. Prevention.com Arthritis symptoms are a focus of this article on the magazine's website. Symptoms are explained in detail including the cause of the low-grade fevers associated with some forms of the condition.
  2. Activebeat.com Written in a slide show format, this article focuses on 12 symptoms of arthritis with a brief explanation for many of the symptoms.
  3. Arthritis.org Published by the Arthritis Foundation, the reader will find a description of inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic arthritis in further detail. The end of the article has links to additional articles on the foundation's website. There is also practical advice for managing the conditions.
  4. Hopkinsarthritis.org This Johns Hopkins article provides a detailed explanation of the causes and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The article explores the clinical history of the condition and details many of the symptoms. Some of the medical tests used to confirm a diagnosis are listed.
  5. JointHealthMagazine.com This link directs the reader to an article in a web magazine. The article explains ten of the most common symptoms associated with arthritis. There are also recommendations listed to help manage symptoms.

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