Are You Having Arthritis Symptoms?
A lot of people are concerned about having arthritis symptoms. Those symptoms may just be the aches and pain that tend to come with old age, or maybe an old sports injury, or it may actually be a symptom of arthritis. If it is arthritis, which kinds of arthritis is it? You see the term arthritis actually refers to nearly 200 forms of arthritis. Some that are minor nuisances, that are somewhat discomforting when the weather changes, while other forms can be utterly debilitating. The main symptoms Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) include one or more of the following: - chronic back pain,
- stiffness in the back (especially in the morning),
- pain in other joints including the neck, knees, ankles and hips,
- pain around tendons
- pain in the heel,
- inflammation of the eyes, and,
- various rashes. In rare cases, the heart or the lungs may be affected by AS. Gout The symptoms are pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected joint. Gout attacks can occur very quickly and, if left untreated, may last for a week. An initial attack of Gout may not be followed by subsequent attacks until months or years later, if at all. Without correct management and treatment, however, attacks can become more frequent and last longer. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Is often a persistent condition, and the exact symptoms and the severity of the symptoms differ from child to child. Juvenile arthritis can affect every child and adolescent differently. In addition, the pain and discomfort experienced, as well as the joints affected, can change on a daily and even hourly basis. Few children with JIA have many outward signs of the condition but this does not mean that all are free from pain or fatigue. Everyday tasks such as tying shoelaces, sending SMS messages, learning a musical instrument, turning on a tap, and even carrying school books can prove extremely difficult for some children who suffer from severe JIA. Osteoarthritis The symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA) vary from person to person, but they generally include pain, stiffness, and swelling in one or more joints. However, most individuals remain essentially free of OA symptoms. Rheumatoid Arthritis The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) vary greatly from person to person and from case to case. However, the symptoms generally include one or more of the following: - Sensitive / tender, warm, and swollen joints, particularly the hands, feet, shoulders and knees.
- Persistent fatigue and a feeling of being "run down".
- Joint stiffness which tends to be more noticeable in the mornings. Generally, both sides of the body are affected similarly, so both hands and/or both feet are affected, rather than on just one side. Scleroderma The symptoms of Scleroderma vary greatly from person to person and from case to case, and depend on the type of Scleroderma and on which part(s) of the body are affected. The symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Thickening of the skin, particularly on the fingers, arms and sometimes face.
- Color changes in the hands and feet, usually from pale to blue to red, and especially often after exposure to a specific cold (Raynaud's Disease).
- Small calcium deposits in the form of nodules on the fingertips and bony prominence.
- Stiffness in the muscles and joints.
- Indigestion (heartburn).
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Lung or kidney impairment. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus The symptoms of Lupus vary from person to person and from case to case, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. The symptoms may include one or more of the following: - Painful or swollen joints,
- Unexplained fever,
- Extreme fatigue, and/or,
- A characteristic red skin rash - called Butterfly Rash or Malar Rash - may also appear across the nose, face, ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and/or hands. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of wellness or remission. Understanding how to prevent or anticipate flares, and how to treat them when they do occur, helps people with Lupus maintain better health.
