Early Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disorder that affects the mobility and normal functioning of the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, early symptoms of arthritis include joint stiffness for more than an hour.
For osteoarthritis, joint stiffness is also evident, though it does not last as long as that of rheumatoid arthritis.
Limited range of motion is also one of the early symptoms of arthritis. It is caused by rigid bone surfaces that make it painful for joints to be moved.
Other early symptoms of arthritis include fatigue and weight loss.
Check out this Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Video
There are three categories used to diagnose arthritis. Relying solely on early symptoms of arthritis is not enough to determine if a person has the disease or not.
To be diagnosed of having arthritis, a person must first have clinical manifestations of the disease.
These can be subjective data such as verbalization of joint stiffness and pain, since bone deformities are only seen in later stages of the disease. Second, laboratory and radiographic findings should match with early symptoms of arthritis. More often than not, serum levels such as that of the blood and of our joints directly reflects if there is active inflammation or infection occurring in the body. Finally, possible diagnoses other than arthritis should be excluded.
Certain laboratory tests may be ordered by the doctor when a person presents early symptoms of arthritis. A complete blood count (CBC) is a hematologic laboratory test that is commonly done in almost all kinds of diseases. Findings may show decreased red blood cell count, increased platelet count, and normal white blood cell count, though it may not be held true for all patients with arthritis. Another example of laboratory test to be performed when there are early symptoms of arthritis is synovial fluid analysis. Normally, synovial fluid is transparent, yellowish, clot-free, and viscous. However, synovial fluid from those with arthritis is turbid or cloudy, less viscous, and with clots.
Radiographic findings in early symptoms of arthritis show that there is demineralization or loss of minerals around the affected joint. This can progress to erosion of joint and cartilage surfaces, which appears in a radiograph as though bones do not have spaces in between them.
Though less complicated than serious forms of arthritis, early symptoms of arthritis can still be very debilitating. Persons suffering from early symptoms of arthritis may find it difficult to work and perform even the simplest of actions. Also, deformation of affected body parts may occur when early symptoms of arthritis are not properly managed. This may cause body image disturbance and low self-esteem to patients. Therefore, it is important not to let early symptoms of arthritis to occur, or if already present, to minimize the spread to adjacent body parts.
To prevent early symptoms of arthritis, a person must be conscious with his or her food choices. Processed foods should be avoided such as those with high amounts of salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, and others. Early symptoms of arthritis can also be prevented by refraining from weight bearing activities. Patients, especially those of the elderly population, should be taught proper body mechanics while lifting objects to reduce heavy impact on the bones.
Different medications are also recommended to control early symptoms of arthritis, especially joint pain. Drugs such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are used to relieve early symptoms of arthritis because of their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Medications used for early symptoms of arthritis may be bought over the counter or may require prescription from a doctor. When treating early symptoms of arthritis, it is best to consult the doctor first for proper assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
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