Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have the reputation as a senior disorder, but studies have proven that this condition can strike at any age. In fact, it has been reported that nearly two million Americans that live with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis are under the age of 45. What’s more, 70% of sufferers are women.
Sadly, RA is not only an incurable disease, but it is also a progressive one. For these reasons, it’s important that you are able to spot the warning signs as early as possible, as this will help you to treat the symptoms quicker while delaying the onset. Use the following list to learn about what you are looking for.
1. Joint Stiffness
If you find that your fingers are tight for a few minutes in the morning but then loosen up during the day, then this might be an early indication of arthritis. Get a professional opinion and try participating in low impact exercises such as yoga.
2. Joint Tenderness
When pressure is placed on the joint or its surrounding areas, do they feel sensitive to the touch? This tenderness is often described as a dull ache rather than any extreme pain, but it is still a loud warning sign that something requires attention. Test your joints by gently pressing on your fingers, wrists, shoulders, knees, and ankles.
3. Minor Joint Swelling
When one thinks of arthritis, a change in joint shape is often the first image that comes to mind. This is caused by an increase in fluid production, which is used to restructure the bones in hopes of finding an easier way to move. If you are noticing subtle joint swelling in your hands or feet which only seems to become more aggravated as time goes on, it may be worth getting a professional opinion.
4. Redness of the Joint
The final obvious telltale sign of joint troubles is a slightly red appearance around the skin. This discoloration may also be warm to the touch. This happens because your vessels are widening, increasing the blood flow to the points which need it the most. If this (or any of the above) sounds familiar and is causing you pain, then you may find some quick relief in a wrist brace or a bamboo sleeve to reduce inflammation in the knee area.
5. Numbness and Tingling
When the joints shift their structure to better deal with this condition, they may start to compress your nerves. This could incite various strange feelings around your body, such as numbness, tingling, burning, or even a loss of sensation.
6. Decreased Motion
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, you may notice that your joints aren’t bending as easily as they once did. Perhaps you can’t pull your wrist back properly or you’re unable to straighten your fingers. As this is a progressive disease, it’s important to take action right away with gentle exercises under the supervision of your doctor.
7. Noisy Movements
People suffering from arthritis report all sorts of peculiar noises coming from their joints, including popping, grinding, creaking, and squeaking. These sounds are due to the once smooth cartilage breaking down and no longer providing the adequate lubrication. Listen out for these.
8. Frequent Fatigue
If a general exhaustion comes and goes like waves which are negatively impacting your mood, productivity, or sex life, then this could be an early arthritis flag. However, fatigue is also a common symptom of many other ailments, so there is no need to jump to any panicked conclusions. That said, when tiredness is experienced in conjunction with any other items on this list, it may be worth the investigation.
9. Fever
A mild fever is not usually a reason to interrupt your doctor’s day. But much like the aforementioned fatigue problem, this unwell feeling can be a big red warning sign when other arthritis indicators are also involved. Do not ignore this.
10. Unintended Weight Loss
Due to the above flu-like symptoms (such as fever or fatigue), many RA sufferers find their appetite drops and they lose weight. While some people may consider this a blessing in disguise, a rapid shedding of pounds can be an indicator of a faster arthritis-related death.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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