Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to any disease that affects the joints, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS. It literally means joint inflammation and covers more than 100 different diseases that are characterized by inflammation and loss of function of the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles and sometimes the internal organs. Early warning signs of arthritis are pain and stiffness, which can vary depending on which form of the disease a person has, explains NIAMS, which also notes that about 46 million Americans have arthritis. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint Pain
The different forms of arthritis carry different symptoms, but in general, all forms of arthritis cause some form of pain and stiffness in the joints, according to NIAMS. This can include swelling in one or more joints, morning stiffness that lasts for an hour or more, pain or tenderness that can be constant or come and go, inability to move a joint normally, and warmth and redness around a joint.
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects 27 million Americans, according to NIAMS. This is the kind of arthritis that people develop as they age. It is caused by wear and tear on the joints, which eventually erodes the cartilage cushions between the bones. Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, most often in the fingers, knees or hips. Osteoarthritis can also affect the site of an old injury, such as a shoulder hurt while playing sports years ago. The pain may occur after periods of rest or after excessive activity, according to the Arthritis Foundation. There can also be a feeling of sand in the joint or a "catching" sensation when moving the joint, or there can be bony growths protruding from the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 1.3 million Americans, occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, according to NIAMS. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling, most often in the hands and the feet. Unlike other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect both sides of the body equally. It can also cause a general feeling of fatigue or illness, fever, lack of energy and appetite, anemia, warmth around the joints, lumps near the joints, and such foot problems as bunions and hammertoes.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Arthritis Scleroderma
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Do I Have Arthritis?
- Arthritis Foundation: Osteoarthritis Fact Sheet
- MedlinePlus: Health Tip: Recognize Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
