Arthritis Symptoms Can Be Vague And Confusing
Frequent Symptoms
These symptoms occur in most types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases and are the most commonly seen at onset:
Joint pain, joint stiffness, tenderness in and around the joint joint counts), joint swelling, restricted range of motion in one or more affected joints, redness and warmth around the affected joints, Fever, fatigue, malaise. Lumps and bumps (nodules, nodes).
Symptoms will vary according to the type of arthritis and rheumatic disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but it can also have systemic effects.Other symptoms and characteristics of RA are:
Morning stiffness lasts more than an hour.
involvement of the small bones of the hands and feet.
Extreme fatigue
Rheumatoid nodules.
Symmetrical joint involvement (for example, both knees are affected rather than just one).
Rheumatic Arthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affects joints, with no systemic effects. The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repeated use, which usually worsens later in the day. After extended periods of inactivity, the affected joints may swell, feel warm, and stiffen. Osteoarthritis can occur alongside other types of arthritis. Bone spurs and enlargements are also signs of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affects joints, with no systemic effects. The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repeated use, which usually worsens later in the day. After extended periods of inactivity, the affected joints may swell, feel warm, and stiffen. Osteoarthritis can occur alongside other types of arthritis. Bone spurs and enlargements are also signs of osteoarthritis.
Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms:
Psoriatic Arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that is linked to psoriasis (a skin condition marked by red, patchy, raised, or scaly areas) and chronic joint pain. Psoriasis symptoms and joint inflammation frequently appear separately.
The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis differ in how they appear (symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern) and which joints are affected; it can affect any joint in the body. 4 When psoriasis causes pitting and thickened or discoloured fingernails, the joints near the fingertips are more likely to develop arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that is linked to psoriasis (a skin condition marked by red, patchy, raised, or scaly areas) and chronic joint pain. Psoriasis symptoms and joint inflammation frequently appear separately.
The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis differ in how they appear (symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern) and which joints are affected; it can affect any joint in the body. 4 When psoriasis causes pitting and thickened or discoloured fingernails, the joints near the fingertips are more likely to develop arthritis.
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is commonly associated with inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. The first symptoms are usually chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. Typical ankylosing spondylitis pain in the back worsens with rest or inactivity. 5 As pain and stiffness progress up the spine and into the neck, possibly including the rib cage area, bones may fuse.
Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is commonly associated with inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. The first symptoms are usually chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. Typical ankylosing spondylitis pain in the back worsens with rest or inactivity. 5 As pain and stiffness progress up the spine and into the neck, possibly including the rib cage area, bones may fuse.
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis include lupus,
which can affect joints, the nervous system, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, and other organs. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because it can mimic other forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
Lupus is distinguished by a butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose (malar rash).6
Lupus is distinguished by a butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose (malar rash).6
Symptoms of Lupus: Gout.
Gout is considered one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It is characterised by the sudden onset of severe pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, and swelling caused by joint inflammation. Gout typically affects a single joint, most commonly the big toe, but it can also affect the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, or elbow.7
Gout can affect the shoulders, hips, and spine, but only in rare cases. The first gout attack usually happens at night.
Symptoms Of Gout
Aside from the symptoms commonly associated with various rheumatic conditions, some present with less common ones.
Gout is considered one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It is characterised by the sudden onset of severe pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, and swelling caused by joint inflammation. Gout typically affects a single joint, most commonly the big toe, but it can also affect the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, or elbow.7
Gout can affect the shoulders, hips, and spine, but only in rare cases. The first gout attack usually happens at night.
Symptoms Of Gout
Aside from the symptoms commonly associated with various rheumatic conditions, some present with less common ones.
Ankylosing Spondylitis.
AS can occasionally affect the heart, lung, or kidney.8 Heart failure and conduction defects may occur. Lung problems can result from limited movement of the chest wall and spine, as well as lung fibrosis. Kidney problems, such as IgA nephropathy, may also occur. Some of these issues could be life-threatening.
Psoriatic Arthritis.
Arthritis mutilans, which is painful and destructive, accounts for 5% of all psoriatic arthritis cases.4 Enthesitis (inflammation of the tendons and ligaments that attach to bone) develops, and phalangeal (finger) bones resorb.
AS can occasionally affect the heart, lung, or kidney.8 Heart failure and conduction defects may occur. Lung problems can result from limited movement of the chest wall and spine, as well as lung fibrosis. Kidney problems, such as IgA nephropathy, may also occur. Some of these issues could be life-threatening.
Psoriatic Arthritis.
Arthritis mutilans, which is painful and destructive, accounts for 5% of all psoriatic arthritis cases.4 Enthesitis (inflammation of the tendons and ligaments that attach to bone) develops, and phalangeal (finger) bones resorb.
Lupus
Lupus has a wide range of common symptoms, making it a difficult condition to diagnose, which frequently requires ruling out other diseases. Lupus's less common symptoms include dizziness, depression, confusion, seizures, and complications/sub-group indications. The complications of arthritis differ according to the type of arthritis.
Juvenile arthritis
One of the types of arthritis affects approximately one in every thousand children under the age of sixteen. The symptoms are similar to the adult symptoms observed for each type.
Inflammation and corticosteroid treatment can hinder bone formation, leading to concerns about bone loss. This can result in early osteoporosis or bone fractures.9
Lupus has a wide range of common symptoms, making it a difficult condition to diagnose, which frequently requires ruling out other diseases. Lupus's less common symptoms include dizziness, depression, confusion, seizures, and complications/sub-group indications. The complications of arthritis differ according to the type of arthritis.
Juvenile arthritis
One of the types of arthritis affects approximately one in every thousand children under the age of sixteen. The symptoms are similar to the adult symptoms observed for each type.
Inflammation and corticosteroid treatment can hinder bone formation, leading to concerns about bone loss. This can result in early osteoporosis or bone fractures.9
Osteoarthritis
Being overweight increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis in both your weight-bearing joints and your hands. Losing extra weight can be beneficial.
Osteoarthritis is prevalent in older adults, earning the nickname "wear-and-tear" arthritis. Painful joints can limit physical activity, make it difficult to perform basic daily tasks, and prevent you from sleeping well.
Being overweight increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis in both your weight-bearing joints and your hands. Losing extra weight can be beneficial.
Osteoarthritis is prevalent in older adults, earning the nickname "wear-and-tear" arthritis. Painful joints can limit physical activity, make it difficult to perform basic daily tasks, and prevent you from sleeping well.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can destroy joints, causing deformities in the fingers and wrist. Complications can occur in various organ systems, such as rheumatoid nodules, Sjogren's syndrome, pericarditis, vasculitis, pleuritis, COPD, and scleritis. Obesity and smoking can worsen the lung and heart complications of rheumatoid arthritis.11 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death from this condition.
Women with rheumatoid arthritis have a more difficult time conceiving. It is recommended that the condition be well-managed for three to six months before attempting to become pregnant. Methotrexate must be discontinued at least three months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.
Rheumatoid arthritis can destroy joints, causing deformities in the fingers and wrist. Complications can occur in various organ systems, such as rheumatoid nodules, Sjogren's syndrome, pericarditis, vasculitis, pleuritis, COPD, and scleritis. Obesity and smoking can worsen the lung and heart complications of rheumatoid arthritis.11 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death from this condition.
Women with rheumatoid arthritis have a more difficult time conceiving. It is recommended that the condition be well-managed for three to six months before attempting to become pregnant. Methotrexate must be discontinued at least three months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.
