Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis: Introduction

Arthritis causes painful joints. It is a condition where joints suffer from inflammation. As a result of the inflammatory response, the joints become painful, rigid and red. It is estimated that about a hundred types of arthritic conditions exist.

Arthritis entails the degeneration of cartilage (tissues that help protect joints, and facilitate its smooth movement). Cartilage also works as shock absorbers when joints are subject to pressure during body movement.

Signs of arthritis can develop in people of every age group, but rheumatoid arthritis occurs mostly in people between age groups thirty to thirty five years.

What are the Arthritis Symptoms?

In all types, common symptoms for arthritis are characterized by varying intensity of pain, joint inflammation and stiffness. Sometimes there can also occur a steady type of aching, surrounding the joints.

Arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid and lupus can also have an effect on other body organs causing a number of symptoms.

Some of the signs and symptoms for arthritis:

• Reduced capability of using hands
• Fever
• Malaise
• Difficulty walking
• Feeling tired
• Sleep deprivation
• Muscle pains and aches
• Joint tenderness
• Weight loss

In those with arthritis, the diminished amount of cartilage tissue causes bone friction. This leads to arthritis symptoms such as swelling, pain, as well as stiffness of the joints. The two most common types of this condition are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

A concrete cause for arthritis is not yet known. Rheumatoid arthritis is said to occur through infection, but this remains unproven. Heredity may play some part in its development. Arthritis is found to affect women more commonly compared to men.

People suffering from advanced arthritis experience significant subsequent changes. Their physical activity is more or less limited by the disorder for which the arthritis signs along with its symptoms can include;

• Decreased flexibility
• Weakened muscle

As a result of these changes their daily lives can get negatively impacted as well as social involvements too can suffer to an extent.