I. Q: Do I have arthritis? A: Arthritis and its related conditions can cause pain and stiffness in or around the joints, sometimes with swelling, which can limit joint movement and make it impossible to perform daily tasks and chores. Arthritis is a very common disease that can occur at all ages, and is generally more common in older age, although 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, it can last for the rest of the patient’s life. If you have any of the above symptoms in and around your joints and arthritis that have persisted for more than 2 weeks, you should seek medical attention so that only your doctor can determine if you have arthritis, so that you can take immediate steps to prevent it or be able to reduce pain and keep your movement functional. Q: What are the precursors of arthritis? A: Arthritis has the following precursors: 1. pain, 2. stiffness, 3. swelling (some of the time), and 4. difficulty moving your joints. Pain caused by arthritis can be constant or intermittent, and can occur during activity or after resting. 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 types of arthritis and related diseases, and most of the causes are not well understood. Because there are so many different types, the causes 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 different treatments. Early diagnosis and 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: 1. which joint has pain 2. when did the pain first occur 3. when did the pain first occur 4. how long have the symptoms lasted 5. whether you notice any swelling in the joint 6. what movements you cannot perform 7. whether you have a history of joint injuries due to accidents or a history of overuse of the joint at work or in your spare time 8. whether there is anyone in your family with similar joint problems 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 of the joint 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 medical 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 the presence of a certain type of arthritis, it will still take time to observe the development of your symptoms before a diagnosis can be made. 5. Q: What are the precautions to take during a visit? When you visit your doctor with suspected arthritis, you should get the following information from your doctor: 1. whether you have a joint or related disease 2. the type of arthritis 3. what the prognosis is 4. what you should do If you still have questions after your visit, please see your doctor again and ask him or her carefully.