Arthritis: First Symptoms
While the word "arthritis" literally means "joint inflammation," it can generally apply to any type of disease that involves swelling and pain of the joints or muscles. There are more than 100 known types of arthritis, but three of the most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Initial symptoms of these types of arthritis can be as vague as joint pain and tenderness, however, they may be strong and persistent enough to cause the sufferer to seek medical assistance.
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Osteoarthritis
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Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million people in the U.S. alone. Also known as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage of one or more joints breaks down until it is gone.
The most common initial symptom of osteoarthritis is discomfort or pain in the joints that are affected by loss of cartilage. Joint pain is commonly worse later in the day. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis are warmth, swelling and creaking in affected joints. Discomfort and stiffness may occur in the joints if they have been inactive for a long time, such as during a long car trip.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also can cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs in the body.
Symptoms of RA may be intermittent, depending on whether the disease is in an active or inactive phase. When the disease is active, an RA sufferer may have a low-grade fever, sore muscles, stiffness, and swollen, red and achy joints. He also may feel fatigued, less energetic and perhaps even less hungry than usual. Most flareups of muscle and joint stiffness occur in the morning and after long periods of inactivity. RA typically affects the same joint, such as the knee or wrist, on both sides of the body.
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Fibromyalgia
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic form of arthritis that, over time, is characterized by a dull ache and stiffness in muscles, ligaments and tendons. It does not directly affect the joints and it often is accompanied by depression and fatigue. Another characteristic of fibromyalgia is a series of tender points throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some common fibromyalgia tender point locations:
The back of the head
Between shoulder blades
The top of the shoulders
The front sides of neck
The upper chest
The outer elbows
The upper hips
The sides of the hips
The inner knees
Medical Help
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If you are experiencing discomfort and stiffness in your muscles, tendons or joints, you may be suffering from one of many types of arthritis. Schedule a visit with a medical professional who can help you determine if you have arthritis, and, if so, what type of arthritis you have. What a doctor prescribes for symptomatic relief depends on a specific diagnosis.
Warning
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Infectious arthritis occurs when viruses or fungi spread to joints through the bloodstream or from nearby infected tissue. If you or someone you know has this type of arthritis, symptoms such as pain, swelling, and fever will come on suddenly (within a few hours or a couple of days). See a doctor immediately if you think you have infectious arthritis, as it can destroy a joint within hours or days without prompt antibiotic treatment.
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