There are many arthritis signs and symptoms. Arthritis is a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the joints. It is the most common disease in the United States and is classified as a rheumatic disease.

This condition means that different individual illnesses with differing factors, treatments, complications and prognosis occurs. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage and may affect internal body areas.

Patients battling arthritis signs and symptoms are faced with pain and limited functions of joints, joint swelling, joint stiffness, tenderness or pain whenever a joint in touched and warmth and redness in the joint. Part of the trauma of arthritis is that it has the ability to attack joints in almost any portion of the body.

Two of the more common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and both of these leave behind tell-tell signs of arthritis that you can both feel and see. Typically with osteoarthritis, symptoms vary from stiffness and mild pain that comes and goes based on activities such as walking, bending or stooping to severe joint pain that can leave you lying on the couch begging for relief. Rheumatoid arthritis is less particular and can attack almost any joint in the body. With the majority of cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the signs and symptoms of arthritis will occur bilaterally, meaning if it impacts one side, then hang on, the same joint will be affected on the other side of the body as well.

If you have arthritis signs and symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Diagnosing arthritis early can help to prevent irreversible damage and disability.

At your scheduled appointment your physician will review your history of arthritis signs and symptoms and will also take a look at your joints for inflammation and even for any deformities. Additionally, your doctor will order specific blood, urine, joint fluid and x-ray tests to help confirm an accurate diagnosis of arthritis. Rest assured, this process takes time and it may take several visits before your doctor is absolutely certain of the diagnosis of arthritis. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis, your primary care physician will most often refer you to a rheumatologist for more specialized care. A rheumatologist is better equipped to provide more cutting edge aggressive care for patients with arthritis.

There are several arthritis signs and symptoms and they must be taken seriously. There is no known cure for arthritis. Therefore, the treatment goal for this disease is to minimize the symptoms and on-going destruction of arthritis. With the proper treatment you can continue to live a happy and active lifestyle.

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