Symptoms of Arthritis & How to Deal with Them
 Arthritis is a joint disorder that can cause inflammation in various parts of your body including your feet, hands, wrists, and hips. More than 40 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis, and experts say that number will increase to about 59.6 million by the year 2020. The symptoms of arthritis are considered the number one cause of work-related disability among adults.
While some people with arthritis are able to successfully treat the symptoms with non-prescription medication, other people find that their arthritis symptoms are debilitating no matter what treatments they try. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, symptoms are relatively similar.
Symptoms of arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Limited joint functions
- Inflammation
- Joint stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Warmth
- Tenderness of the joints
Many forms of arthritis are rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic forms of arthritis not only cause symptoms in the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, but also in various organs throughout the body. Those symptoms of arthritis can involve fevers, swelling of the lymph nodes, weight loss, and fatigue. Some of these symptoms can even be caused by abnormalities in organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart.
Arthritis can affect men, women, and children. Of the 40 million people in the United States with arthritis, more than a quarter million are children. Still, women are most likely to develop the ailment, and nearly 60 percent of Americans who suffer from arthritis are women.
If you have a history of arthritis in your family, or you suspect you may have the disorder, consult your physician. Your doctor will review your history of arthritis symptoms and give you a physical examination. You may undergo blood tests, urine tests, and joint fluid tests. You may have X-rays taken as well. It could take a few trips to the doctor to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Your treatments will depend on what type of arthritis you have, and they may include anti-inflammatory medications, paraffin wax dips, immune-altering medications, or other treatments. Exercise, rest, and physical therapy can also help control your symptoms of arthritis.
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