Arthritis and its symptoms
Arthritis is described as inflammation in either a single or multiple joints of the body. The primary symptoms of arthritis include stiffness and pain in the joints. These symptoms usually worsen as one ages. There are multiple types of arthritis; however, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common ones.
Osteoarthritis causes breakage in the cartilage, which is the slippery, hard tissue that is situated at the ends of bones and between the joints. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the immune system that initially affects the lining of joints.
People are more at risk of developing arthritis if they have a family history of any type of arthritis, past joint injuries, and obesity.
Factors like uric acid crystals, underlying diseases, and infections are responsible for other types of arthritis. The course of treatment depends on the type of arthritis. The main goal of the treatment is to manage the symptoms rather than heal the condition completely.
Symptoms
The major or most common symptoms of arthritis include a decrease in the movement of the joints along with pain. Joint inflammation, caused by arthritis, can be identified by joint stiffness and redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.
- Stiffness and poor function of joints
- Tenderness in the affected joint along with pain
- Damage to cartilage and joint, causing limited motion
- Limited hand grip due to stiffness and bone growth
- Difficulty in walking due to poor joint function and pain
Sometimes, other forms of arthritis, like rheumatic diseases, can lead to symptoms that affect different organs of a body not connected to the joints. In such cases, the symptoms for arthritis may also include:
- Gland swelling
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abnormalities in organs like kidneys, lungs, or heart
Complications
If severe arthritis affects your hands or arms, it becomes difficult to carry out daily tasks. Developing arthritis in weight-bearing joints can lead to problems in walking comfortably or simply sitting up straight. In certain cases, joints may also end up deformed and twisted.
