What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Arthritis symptoms can vary depending on what type of arthritis you have.  Arthritis can affect several part of the body and can be caused by several different factors.  Although many of the arthritis symptoms may be similar, there are also some differences.  Here are a few examples of arthritis symptoms.      

Ankylosing spondylitis is arthritis of the joints in the spine.  It is also known as Marie-Strumpell disease and . rheumatoid spondylitis This disorder affects multiple organs such as eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.  Symptoms of this arthritis include:  low back and hip pain and stiffness; difficulty expanding the chest; pain in neck, shoulders, knees, and ankles; low-grade fever; fatigue; weight loss.  Initial arthritis symptoms are uncommon after the age of 30, although patient may not be diagnosed until after then.

Bursitis is another form of arthritis.  Bursitis usually affects the hip, shoulder, and elbow.  But it can also affect the knee, heel, or base of big toe.  Usually this affects athletes, golfers, baseball players, or people who are out of shape and have poor posture.  This arthritis’ symptoms are pain and stiffness in the joint.  Arthritis symptoms become worse when joint is used.  The joint may also be swollen and warm to the touch.

Juvenile arthritis symptoms are similar to the adult symptoms.  There is pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  Symptoms can come and go.  Young children especially do not complain about their arthritis symptoms.  Parents may not notice until they see their child limping, avoiding physical activity, or acting unusually clumsy.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form in older people.  It is brought on partly by long-term everyday use.  Depending on which part of the body is affected, arthritis symptoms may vary.  Most people with osteoarthritis in their fingers don’t even know about it unless an x-ray reveals deterioration in the cartilage.  Arthritis symptoms are standard with pain and swelling.  With osteoarthritis though, even though the arthritis never goes away, the pain fades over time.

Gout is a form of arthritis where the body has too much uric acid.  The symptoms of gout arthritis are intense pain in the joint (usually the big toe).  It may also become red, swollen, and warm to the touch.  At times, gout can occur in the wrists, ankles, and knees.  Arthritis symptoms may not come back for several years.  But if crystals formed by the uric acid are left untreated, it can destroy part of the bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an overactive immune system.  Arthritis symptoms usually start out as minor stiffness and pain.  It may come and go, but eventually the arthritis systems get worse and more frequent.  Treatment for this is most effective if caught within the first few months.

If you have some arthritis symptoms, contact your doctor.  Treatments are always more effective if they are caught in the early stages.  You can also get more information on arthritis symptoms from the Arthritis Foundation.

Living with Arthritis

Arthritis can be painful and limiting.  Many people have experienced it in one form or another.  There are several treatments including medications, exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes.  Even sleeping habits and mood changes can affect arthritis.  There is no direct correlation between how severe your arthritis is and how much pain you feel.  So how do people deal with this disease?

There are several ways to lessen how much pain you have when your arthritis acts up.  Some are preventative.  One way is to lose weight.  Extra pounds add stress to your joints.  Eat a healthy diet.  Not only will that help you keep those extra pounds off, but there are certain vitamins that specifically help arthritis.  Vitamin C repairs tissue, vitamin D absorbs calcium, builds bone mass, and prevents bone loss, and calcium strengthens your bones.  Moderate exercising strengthens your joints and increases flexibility and stability.  Those with rheumatoid arthritis need to refrain from exercising during flare ups.  You should only exercise to the point where you feel mild discomfort.  You should not feel pain.  Get plenty of sleep.  Patients with arthritis should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep.

When your arthritis does flare up there are different treatments to help with the pain and inflammation.  One common treatment is use of medication.  Certain types of medications can have serious side effects, so you need to weigh the pros and cons with your doctor.  Ice packs can help with swelling and inflammation, but people with circulatory problems should avoid this.  You can also use a heating pad or take a hot bath or shower.  Patients with arthritis may sometimes use splints, braces, canes, or walkers for stability.

There are adjustments you can make in your home to ease your arthritis too.  A “grabber” can help you get a can out of the cupboard or pick up laundry off the floor.  Replace faucet handles that twist and round door knobs with levered handles.  Don’t overdo it.  Tiring yourself out can especially provoke flare ups for people with rheumatoid arthritis.  Take breaks and don’t feel like you have to do everything in one day. 

If you are in a situation where you don’t move around a lot, it could affect your arthritis also.  Sitting at a computer desk for 8 hours a day can stiffen you up.  Be sure to take a break to move around and do stretches.  If available, use a trackball instead of a mouse and a split keyboard.  If you have the right software you can use “macros” to store frequently used words and phrases.  This will save on your typing.  Again, take it easy.  You don’t want your arthritis to flare up from overextending yourself. 

There are many things you can do to prevent or lessen an arthritis flare up.  It is important to do your part.  It is equally as important to check back with your doctor for advice as well.    Don’t be afraid to ask for help and check with your local Arthritis Foundation to see what resources are available to you. 

Arthritis and the Importance of Diet

Arthritis is an exacerbating condition that affects the body's joints and muscles. If you suffer from some form of arthritis (there are in excess of 100 different types of arthritis) then you might be surprised to discover that you can find some relief for your symptoms and increase your health merely by altering your diet. While there is no miracle food that will remove your symptoms, certainly you can enjoy better health simply by avoiding certain foods and augmenting your diet to get a nutrient enriched diet.

Arthritis sufferers should stay away from any form of fad or crash diet. These diets are invariably lacking in nutrients that are critical for maintaining healthy muscles and joints. Nutritionists recommend that arthritis sufferers also remain well hydrated by consuming plenty of water every day. It is also important that arthritis sufferers strive to eat a well balanced, healthy diet which is rich in plant-based foods. Also, arthritis patients need to consider supplementing their diets with calcium supplements to lessen their risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Yet another very important consideration is that of maintaining a steady and healthy weight because extra weight could well put too much pressure on the body's joints and muscles intensifying your arthritis symptoms.

If it is necessary, a tailored weight loss plan can be prescribed for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and so, if you suffer from arthritis and need help, consult your doctor. Your therapist or doctor may also be able to recommend physical activities which are low impact and fun to do. A lot of arthritis sufferers find that water exercises are ideal as they provide a good workout without at the same time damaging fragile muscles or intensifying joint stiffness and pain. Another good low impact activity is Yoga that can help you remain toned and improve your flexibility. Another excellent low impact activity that helps you remain healthy and maintain your weight is walking.

Turning to supplements that may help relieve the symptoms of arthritis, different studies have determined that augmenting one's diet with fish oils can be a good idea. In fact, several studies have demonstrated that fish oils can reduce the amount of inflammation experienced by arthritis sufferers. Scientists believe that fish oils reduce inflammation because they reduce the number of molecules which create inflammation in the joints. Fish oils with omega-3 fatty acids seem to be the most beneficial in individuals with inflammation-based arthritic symptoms. Two such forms of arthritis that are characterized by inflammation are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
http://ArthritisReliefTips.com.

How To Deal With Arthritis

Each individual has different pain threshold level. Sometimes seeing a doctor depends upon how much pain is experienced and how it is affecting a person's life. If joint pain is experienced but without swelling or fever, generally it is safe to wait and see what happens. However, if there is constant pain that is already interfering with a person's daily activities, seeking for a doctor's exam is advisable. If joint pain is accompanied with fever, sudden and considerable swelling with severe pain, it is best to see a doctor as well.

What type of doctor should you see then? A rheumatologist and an orthopedic surgeon are two types of doctors who deal with joint and muscle illnesses. Furthermore, an orthopedic surgeon focuses mostly on surgical treatment of these conditions. Although it may be appropriate to see these types of doctors, primary care doctors can very well handle non-complicated rheumatic problems and may only make referrals to specialists if the condition demands it.

The major complaint about arthritis is the pain that accompanies it. Most often, medicines that you can buy over the counter are the first treatment of choice for arthritic pain. There are two types of pain relievers that are used to alleviate the pain that goes with arthritis. Not one type though is perfect for all pains but however if used correctly, both types could be beneficial. These two main types are the simple pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen is an example of a simple pain reliever that can be effective in controlling pain caused by arthritis. To determine its effectiveness, a medicine should be taken overtime and the same is true with acetaminophen. Two extra strength tablets taken three to four times daily and taken for several days should be enough to determine whether or not it will be effective for a long-term treatment plan. Acetaminophen's edge over the other pain reliever's is its known gentleness to the stomach and not causing gastrointestinal problems. However, it has its own share of accompanying risks as with other medicines. People who drink alcohol heavily or those who have underlying liver disease may encounter liver problems arising from acetaminophen medication. NSAIDs are medicines that relieve pain and decrease inflammation, the two classic symptoms of arthritis. Examples of these medicines are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium all of which are readily available over the counter without prescription. There are also many other NSAIDs that are available through prescription. NSAIDs have the added advantage of decreasing inflammation aside from relieving pain. Although NSAIDs are effective in relieving arthritis, these have accompanying serious effects. Ulcer or bleeding from the stomach poses a major concern to those who are taking these types of drugs. This side effect usually occurs more frequently in patients who have a previous history of stomach ulcers, elderly patients and those patients who have underlying illnesses and are taking other medications. Another major concern with NSAIDs is the possibility of harming kidney function. Although this poses a potential problem, thankfully its incidence is rather rare.

Maintaining an ideal body weight is not only the key to better health but this will also aid in treating arthritis. An obese or over weight individual carries extra load increasing the painful arthritic joint's wear and strain.

There are also some foods that may affect arthritis symptoms. These could either increase or decrease the symptoms. Fish oils have been found out to decrease the inflammation that usually comes with rheumatoid arthritis. There are also specific foods that cause arthritis symptoms to flare up, although these vary from person to person. Identifying your own food culprit may help you and your doctor properly deal with your arthritis.

Arthritis Can Create Awkward Situations

by Carol&Richard Eustice
Arthritis is a greatly misunderstood disease. Myths and misconceptions about the disease abound. Despite pleas for more arthritis awareness in our society, unless they live with the disease themselves, people typically fail to realize the:


•challenges faced for people with arthritis
•difficulties and limitations imposed by arthritis
•unpredictable nature of arthritis

Certainly, some aspects of arthritis cause very visible problems, easily recognized and understood by other people. Arthritis, though, also can lead to situations that are nothing less than uncomfortable and awkward. For the person with arthritis, such awkward situations can be unnerving.


•7 Misconceptions About Arthritis
•Arthritis Quiz: Is It Myth or Fact?

What Should You Say?
A simple everyday occurrence, such as going to the grocery store, can lend us enough examples of the awkwardness that can face people with arthritis.

Consider these scenarios:

You (the person with arthritis) drive to the store and park in a spot reserved for handicapped people. When you get out of the car, you are confronted by a person who accuses you of illegally parking in the handicapped area. Knowing you have been unfairly prejudged by that person, what should you say?

Once inside the grocery store, you have difficulty reaching items on the top shelves. An older woman comes along and asks if you can reach an object for her from the top shelf. Realizing that this is difficult, if not impossible for you, what should you say?

You see an acquaintance in the grocery store who approaches you and reaches out to shake your hand. Shaking hands is painful and uncomfortable for you because of your arthritis. Realizing the person expects you to extend your hand, what should you say?

At the checkout counter, you slowly and painfully take each item out of your cart while the people behind you in line stare and look tormented by how long you are taking. Wishing that you could make them understand, what should you say?

After completing the transaction, the cashier hands you the change and is surprised as you fumble with the coins, because your arthritic hands are not cooperating. Fully aware that the cashier is wondering what is wrong, what should you say?

After you return home and unpack the groceries, the excursion to the store has left you feeling very fatigued and your family wonders why you are so tired. Dismayed by their lack of understanding, what should you say?

Our simple trip to the grocery store has yielded six examples of the awkward moments that can happen for people who live with arthritis. Many other similar examples exist. Is there one answer that would be a perfect fit for all of the various awkward situations? Perhaps an explanation is completely unnecessary. Yet there are many people who feel compelled to explain.


•"People with Disabilities - Living in a 'Normal World'"

Tips for Handling Awkward Situations

•In most instances, a simple answer should suffice: "My arthritis makes some things difficult for me. [Fill in the blank] is one of those things. I hope you understand." Try this reply. Fill in the blank with whatever word is appropriate ("reaching," "shaking hands," "lifting," "handling coins," "walking").


•Try not to overthink the awkwardness of the situation or the ignorance of certain people. Accept yourself and the challenges you face.


•Keep your simple reply in mind and use it to minimize the jolt you feel when confronted by an uncomfortable situation.

And remember — an honest reply will never fail you

Heath Care Reform - What Arthritis Patients Are Saying

with Carol & Richard Eustic


Health care reform -- a hot topic to say the least. Most Americans believe we need it, but there's less agreement about how to achieve it. We pitched the topic of health care reform in our arthritis forum and there have been some interesting responses -- especially those offered by forum members in the U.K. and Canada. Both expressed their displeasure with what's been said about their health care systems -- and they were quick to defend what seems to be working.

As for those living on American soil, there seemed to be concern over how health care reform will be paid for, forced changes that may be a consequence of reform, and trusting information that comes out of the White House. Are these valid concerns in your opinion? Do you have other concerns? Share your opinion on Health Care Reform.