More than 50 million adults in North American currently have some arthritis type. It’s a widespread yet misunderstood disease. In fact, “arthritis” doesn’t refer to one condition; it’s a term that refers to general joint pain or joint disease. There are over 100 types of arthritis, and while it’s most common among senior women, people of all ages can get the disease. It’s the leading cause of disability in the United States.
By spotting the disease early, you can speak with your doctor about treatments, such as pain medication or surgery. You should have the option to live your life to the fullest. Read on to discover five warning signs that you may have arthritis.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Arthritis?
Arthritis occurs when the shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions your bone stops functioning properly. Over time, it can happen from wearing down the cartilage or inflammation in the joint. When the cushion is impaired, joints can swell or harden. Depending on which joints are affected in your body, the disease makes daily activities, such as walking, opening jars, and climbing stairs, incredibly challenging.
It can also cause permanent joint changes. Sometimes these changes are visible. You may develop knobby finger joints, but typically an X-ray is the only thing that can physically see the damage.
The Warning Signs
Have you been experiencing unusual sensations in your body recently? If you’ve felt any of the following, it might be your body telling you that you have arthritis.
Fatigue
You may feel abnormally tired before any arthritis symptoms become apparent. Fatigue is likely to show up before the onset of other symptoms by several weeks or months.
Joint Stiffness and Pain
Do you feel stiffness in one or more of your smaller joints? Such discomfort is a common early sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis. You don’t have to be active to feel this type of stiffness. It can happen at any time of day, even if you’re relaxing on the sofa. Stiffness typically begins in the hands and usually comes on slowly. However, it can also come on abruptly and affect multiple joints over a few days.
Joint pain or tenderness often follows the stiffness sensation. Such pain can happen in the hands, feet, knees, and all over the body.
Morning Stiffness
Stiffness in the joints that lasts for a few minutes in the morning is generally a symptom of arthritis that can worsen over time without the right kind of treatment. You’ll want to talk to your doctor if this is a common occurrence.
Getting Help
Many people with arthritis work with a home health care provider. When it becomes too much of a challenge for you to clean the house or prepare meals each night, you could have a private caregiver come to your home to assist with such tasks. The right caregiver will also help you manage any prescription medication and transport you to medical appointments.
By knowing how to spot the early warning signs of arthritis, you’ll save yourself a lot of pain and agony. Remember to talk to your doctor right away if you notice any unusual feelings in your joints so you can live your life freely and happily.
