Symptoms of Arthritis - What to Look Out For

Symptoms of arthritis can be vague and confusing but it is important to recognize them. Some of the early symptoms of this condition are joint pains, joint stiffness and tenderness in and around the joints. Other symptoms include restricted motion in the joints as well as redness and warmth in the affected joints. There are more than 100 types of this disease and for a doctor to determine the type that you have, he or she will have to evaluate your medical history and do a physical examination. Diagnostic tests as well as an assessment of the progression of the disease will also be carried out.

Major types of this condition have a set of symptoms. Signs of rheumatoid arthritis include inflammation and swelling of the affected joints. The joints will also feel painful, warm and stiff especially in the morning. This may also happen after a prolonged periods of inactivity. Increased stiffness particularly early in the morning is a major feature of the inflammatory disease and may last for more than an hour.

Osteoarthritis is another type and the signs include pain, sharp ache or a burning sensation in the affected muscles and tendons. Other symptoms are stiffness, inflammation and a crackling noise when you move or touch the affected joint. Muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons are also other symptoms.

Psoriatic arthritis leads to psoriatic nail lesions characterized by pitting of the nails. In severe cases, this condition can lead to loss of the nail. Apart from causing joint inflammation, this disease can also lead to tendinitis and dactylitis or sausage-like swelling of the digits.