Arthritis describes inflammation of the joints that causes pain and stiffness in the affected areas and even joint deformity. The symptoms may affect just one or many joints, and it may be unilateral (only affecting one side of the body) or on both sides. There are different types of arthritis with different causes, but the two most common are osteoarthritis (which comes with age and wear and tear on joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (caused by the immune system attacking the healthy tissue in the joints).
Step 1
Keep track of when your symptoms arise. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may be worse in the morning (when you get out of bed) and get better with activity, or the reverse may be true. Being able to tell your doctor the time frame of your symptoms will help in distinguishing between different types and causes of arthritis.
Step 2
Tell your doctor what relieves or aggravates your symptoms. Does ice, anti-inflammatories use (such as ibuprofen), heat or rest relieve the pain? Does your arthritis get worse with activity, or do your joints "loosen up"? These are questions your doctor will most likely ask, so make sure you keep a list of remedies you have tried and their effect.
Step 3
Before your appointment, keep a journal of your activities for the past week as well as your overall pain level each day. In some cases, an activity done one day may cause pain the next, and a journal may help you notice patterns.
Step 4
Tell your doctor when your symptoms started and if you had any other significant illnesses or injuries around that time. One kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can occur as a result of stress or trauma to a joint, whereas rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered by an illness or infection.
Things You'll Need
- Journal
