Early signs of arthritis and how to watch out for them
Swollen joints are the primary identification of having arthritis. Besides this, you can also look out for pain, stiffness, and discomfort at your joints that can also be the reason to indicate arthritis. Arthritis usually affects people at an older age. But given the lifestyle habits that people have these days, it is even affecting the younger generation. In this article we will understand all about arthritis and ways to prevent and treat it.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a disorder common in people that resorts to affecting the joints. This causes inflammation or pain. As the condition aggravates, it causes pains in multiple joints. Arthritis is more common in the feet, hands, hips, lower back, and knees. There are several forms of arthritis, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment options.
Types of arthritis
Arthritis might occur due to usual wear and tear of muscles but others might be underlying autoimmune disease. Some common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Gout, and Ankylosing spondylitis. Here are early signs of arthritis that you should be looking for:
● Joint pain and stiffness - Pain in joints and stiffness is the first sign of arthritis. You may experience this while moving the joints or after rest when you try to move them.Muscle stiffness is another symptom that is usually caused in the mornings.
● Swelling - Another classic symptom of arthritis to look for is swelling in the joints. It forms on the skin above the joints. It would feel warmer when it occurs and can even show some patches of redness. If this occurs more than three times a month, then it is surely arthritis.
● Strained joint movement - You may experience difficulty in stretching your bones. This could be while getting up or while sitting on a chair.
Symptoms specific to type
● Gout - Gout arthritis frequently causes pain in the big toe, which may also feel warm to the touch. Though gout can affect other parts of the body, it is most commonly associated with the big toe.
● Finger bumps - Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause bumps on the finger joints. When the cartilage wears away in osteoarthritis, bone spurs (extra bone formation around the joint) form. Rheumatoid arthritis causes bony bumps on the feet and hands.
● Patchy and red skin - Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include itchy, scaly red patches on the skin that are mostly covered by flaky white scales.
Causes of arthritis
There are many causes of arthritis depending on the types of arthritis you encounter. Family history is also a reason for this ailment. Viral infection or a sport that frequently causes pain and stress in the joint can also be a reason for arthritis.
You could try and lose weight to reduce the stress on your joints. Exercising regularly is another great way to ease your arthritis condition. Heat and cold therapy on areas like stressed joints is also a great idea to alleviate pain. In short, if pain, swelling, or stiffness lasts more than a few days or occurs frequently, it is critical to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Early detection and treatment can reduce the impact of arthritis on quality of life. There is no cure for arthritis, and treatment focuses on slowing disease progression and controlling symptoms. This helps to reduce the severity of the disease while also preserving joint function.