Listening to the
Early Symptoms of Arthritis

The early symptoms can appear so slowly that you may not even realize what's really happening. You may find one morning that your knees are stiff or your hand joints are warm, red and inflamed. In some cases, the early symptoms include even more vague ones like simple fatigue.

It's not always apparent that arthritis is developing. It's a disease that can appear at any time and with very innocuous early symptoms. On the other hand, in some cases the disease comes on strong and suddenly. Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear joint disease, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Arthritis is a disease that affects each person differently. There are common symptoms, but the frequency and severity of symptoms vary significantly from person to person. One of the difficult issues people face is whether the pain in the joints is worth a visit to the doctor. Everyone has aches and pains sometimes, and deciding if they're serious or just aging pains can be confusing.

No matter what kind of arthritis you have, the symptoms can be uncomfortable at first, and then worsen to the point where they interfere with your daily activities. The early symptoms of arthritis tend to fall within the three categories of swelling, stiffness or pain, but their actual form can vary quite a bit:

• Stiff joints after sitting for long periods of time
• A flare-up that makes joints warm and tender to the touch
• Morning stiffness that disappears after using the joint for a half hour
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Loss of strength in the hands making it difficult to do simple things like unscrewing a jar lid
• Mild muscle pain around a joint
• Joint stiffness after doing certain activities like standing for a long period of time or after doing even a mildly physical activity

Swelling and redness is an early symptom of rheumatoid arthritis that must not be ignored. Because this form of arthritis is an autoimmune disease, it can cause many physical problems beyond the joints. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, occurs because the cartilage in the joint gets worn. Ignore osteoarthritis and it only worsens.

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Tenderness in and around the joint
• Limited range of motion in one or more joints
• Redness and warmth around the affected joint

  
  A Picture Begins to Appear.

  Early symptoms of arthritis are the first indication of an arthritic condition, there is a lot more information which needs to be gathered. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic conditions. To obtain a specific diagnosis (i.e. What type of arthritis do I have?), a doctor must evaluate the following:Your medical history

• A current physical examination
• Diagnostic tests
• An assessment of the disease progression

This clinical picture must be routinely re-assessed by your doctor. It's important for you to learn the major differences between the various types of arthritis. An understanding of the primary characteristics with each type of arthritis will help you recognize what is important to report to your doctor about your own condition.

What are the Symptoms of the Major Types of Arthritis. A basic knowledge of the major types of arthritis and symptoms will better prepare you for the doctor’s appointment. You will find it easier to ask questions of your doctor, once you are confident that you understand the basic facts about arthritis symptoms.

As you learn about them, you and your doctor will decide which of your early symptoms of arthritis matches the scheme of a particular type of arthritis. The process of identifying a specific type of arthritis is unfortunately not always quick. Individual symptoms and symptom patterns can make diagnosing arthritis tricky. Being aware of early symptoms of arthritis is a definite advantage.









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