Q: Do I have arthritis?
A: Arthritis and its related conditions can cause pain and stiffness in or around joints, sometimes accompanied by swelling, which can limit joint movement and make it impossible to perform daily tasks and chores.
Arthritis is a very common disease that affects one in seven Americans. It can occur at all ages and is generally more common in older age, but some types of arthritis can begin in the 20s and 40s. The course of arthritis is usually chronic, meaning that it can last for a long time, and in many cases, for the rest of your life.
If you have any of these symptoms in and around your joints that have lasted for more than 2 weeks, you should seek medical attention so that only your doctor can determine if you have arthritis and so that you can take immediate action to prevent it or be able to reduce pain and maintain mobility.
Q: What are the precursors of arthritis?
A: Arthritis has the following precursor symptoms.
Pain
Stiffness
Swelling (some of the time)
Difficulty moving the joint
Pain caused by arthritis can be constant or intermittent, and can occur during activity or after resting. You may feel pain and discomfort in one or more joints of your body.
Your joints may feel stiff and difficult to move. You may find that movements that used to be easy for you are now difficult, such as walking up and down stairs or unscrewing a bottle cap. The pain and stiffness are often worse in the morning or after a period of rest.
In some inflammatory arthritis, the skin on the surface of the joint may appear swollen and red and warm to the touch; some types of arthritis are accompanied by a feeling of fatigue.
Q: What are the causes of arthritis?
A: There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases, and most of the causes are not well understood. Because there are so many different types, the causes also vary.
Scientists are currently studying three main causes of arthritis, including genetic factors from parents, personal life experiences, and lifestyle factors. For each type of arthritis, these lifestyle and environmental factors play different roles.
Q: How can arthritis be diagnosed?
A: Prompt detection of arthritis, and determining what type, is critical as it relates to the different treatments available. Early diagnosis and early treatment can help slow or prevent damage from occurring to the joints, and some arthritis can damage the joints within the first few years.
Only your doctor can determine if you have arthritis and what type it is. During your first visit, your doctor may do the following things. He or she will ask questions about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and may need to take X-rays or do certain tests.
You can write down your answers to the following questions and bring them to the doctor before your visit.
Some questions to tell your doctor at the time of your visit.
Which joint has pain
When did the pain occur?
When did the pain first occur
How long the symptoms last
Whether there is any swelling in the joint
What movements you are unable to perform
Do you have a history of joint injuries due to accidents, or a history of overuse of your joints at work or in your spare time
Does anyone in your family have similar joint problems
Arthritis can limit the range of motion of your joints. Your doctor will need to examine the affected joint or ask you to move the joint to observe the range of motion or to determine if the joint has a normal range of motion. The doctor will also check for swelling, pressure points, skin changes, and other changes in the body.
Finally, your doctor may perform certain laboratory tests, including tests of your blood, urine, or joint fluid, and may also perform an x-ray of your joints. Based on your medical history and physical examination, these tests, in addition to other tests, can help your doctor identify the type of arthritis and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
From your history, physical exam and test results, your doctor will conclude whether a certain disease is consistent. It may take several visits before your doctor can determine what type of arthritis you have. The symptoms of some types of arthritis develop slowly and, in the early stages, are not significantly different from those of other types of arthritis. Although your doctor suspects that a certain type of arthritis is present, it will take time to observe the progression of your symptoms before a diagnosis can be made.
Q: What should I expect at the time of my visit?
When visiting a doctor with suspected arthritis, the following information should be obtained from the doctor.
Whether you have a joint or related disease
The type of arthritis
What the prognosis is
What you should do about it
If you still have questions after your visit, ask your doctor again and ask him or her carefully.
Q: What types of arthritis are there?
As the name implies, arthritis is a lesion in or around a joint, which is the part of the body where the bones are connected to each other. In the knee joint, for example, the end of the bone is covered with a layer of cartilage tissue, which is elastic and can absorb impact forces and reduce friction between the bones. Muscles and tendons support the joints and help them move. Different types of arthritis can affect one or more parts of the joint, and can eventually cause changes in the shape of the joint, resulting in abnormal alignment. Some types of arthritis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin, internal organs, etc.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases, and it is important to determine what type of arthritis you have so that you can treat it properly. Some common types of arthritis include: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendonitis and ligamentitis.