Detect Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that afflicts over 46 million Americans of all ages. Actually, arthritis isn't just a single ailment; there are over 100 varieties. The most common is osteoarthritis, a wearing down of cartilage around joints. This is more prevalent in higher age groups. Other types are caused by infection. Whatever the variety, early treatment is essential to slow the disease's progress.

Instructions

1. Check for joint pain or tenderness, the most common symptom. If you have persistent joint discomfort that was not caused by injury or strain, arthritis is the likely culprit. (Note: injuries to joints can also contribute to the development of arthritis.)

2. Examine the skin around the joints in question. If arthritis exists, it may be red, and it may feel warm.

3. Try moving your joints through a wide range of motion. Arthritic joints become stiff and limited in mobility, especially in the morning. If you have difficulty performing an accustomed task--such as opening a jar--it may indicate the onset of arthritis.

4. Examine the appearance of the joints. Arthritic joints typically become swollen and, in advanced stages of the illness, even visibly deformed. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness in a joint on the hand, compare it carefully to the corresponding joint on the other hand to see if it looks enlarged.

5. Listen as you move. The affected joint may produce a cracking sound or feeling. In medical terminology, this is called crepitus.

6. Check for fatigue, chills or fever, all of which may accompany some forms of arthritis. It is especially important to seek prompt medical attention when these symptoms are present, as they signal an infection.

Tags: around joints, Arthritic joints, arthritis Examine, most common, pain tenderness