StemCell Therapy

GETTY

Its often associated with the elderly, but both men and women can start to develop arthritis symptoms from their 40s, and thousands of even younger people are diagnosed each year too.

There are around 200 types of the disease, which causes agonising inflammation and stiffness in the joints, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms.

Osteoarthritis also known as wear and tear arthritis - is caused when the cartilage lining of the joint fails to repair, pushing tendons and ligaments to work harder and triggering swelling and rubbing on the bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which occurs when the bodys immune system inflames particular joints, affects three times as many women as men and there are 20,000 new cases every year.

But any type of arthritis can have a devastating impact on peoples lives - 68% of sufferers have reported depression when the discomfort is at its worst, and a survey released last month by Arthritis Research UK found that 600,000 sufferers miss out on work.

The Arthritis Foundation stresses that its not a disease of old age, and that spotting it early is key to effective treatment.

GETTY

While its more likely in those who are overweight, smoke, eat a poor diet, have injured a joint or have a family history of the disease, arthritis can affect anyone.

While its more likely in those who are overweight, smoke, eat a poor diet, have injured a joint or have a family history of the disease, arthritis can affect anyone.

Keep an eye out for these seven main symptoms:

Painful joints

This is the most common indicator that you could have arthritis, however the level of discomfort varies from one person to the next.

Soreness can be felt in any joint in the body, but according to the NHS rheumatoid arthritis normally begins in the hands and feet, and osteoarthritis in the knees, hips and hands.

Restricted movement

You may start to notice that you cant move particular joints as well for instance, if arthritis is in your hands you may struggle to bend them to form a fist.

The NHS explains that this stiffness can be particularly apparent when you wake up in the morning, or after other periods of inactivity, and will disappear within 30 minutes with osteoarthritis, but may take longer to wear off if rheumatoid arthritis.

Getty

1 of 12

GETTY

Swollen joints

Swelling around joints can mean one of two things according to the NHS: an injury or arthritis. So if no injury has occurred, it may be the latter.

The Arthritis Foundation adds that if swelling lasts for more than three days, or happens more than three times a month, you should see a doctor.

Warm and red joints

Inflamed joints can not only indicate arthritis, but also point to which type you may have.

The Arthritis Foundation explains that in rheumatoid arthritis there is often warmth and redness because your immune system attacks the lining of the joint, causing it to become inflamed.

In osteoarthritis, theres usually only minimal redness and warmth, while if its psoriatic arthritis another common type - redness usually hits knees, ankles, fingers and toes.

Noisy joints

Popping and snapping caused by air bubbles in the liquid around your joints - can be common in perfectly healthy individuals, but the Arthritis Foundation warns that when this is accompanied by pain, it may be a sign you have arthritis.

GETTY

Muscle loss

A feeling of weakness and weight loss due to diminishing muscle, and consequently struggling to lift items that you could weeks previously, may also be an indicator say the NHS.

Feeling tired

The bouts of pain that come with arthritis can mean many sufferers fail to get a good nights sleep.

The Arthritis Foundation also says that the disease interferes with the bodys production of red blood cells, responsible for carrying oxygen around the body, which in turn can trigger fatigue-inducing anaemia.

Therefore, if you go from having lots of energy to always feeling lethargic, arthritis could be responsible.

While there is no known cure to arthritis, there are treatments to minimise its impact on sufferers.

For osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication is usually prescribed, with surgery also an option in very severe cases.

To slow down the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and damage to joints, doctors will suggest painkillers, anti-rheumatic drugs, physiotherapy and regular exercise.

If youre unsure, visit your GP.

Visit link:
Arthritis symptoms: Seven signs YOU could be suffering | Health ... - Express.co.uk

This entry was posted on April 21, 2017 at 10:42 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |