Is it ageing or arthritis? 8 early warning signs you should never ignore

Arthritis warnings: As we age, joint stiffness, soreness, and muscle aches can become a part of our daily routine. However, when this discomfort starts interfering with your day-to-day life, it could signal arthritis.

Arthritis represents a family of joint conditions that affects millions worldwide. Arthritis involves inflammation and decay of joints where two bones meet, causing severe pain and stiffness. Arthritis can affect any joint but is most common in the knees, hips, feet, shoulders, back, hands, and wrists. Some joints naturally wear down with age, but few people experience arthritis after a health condition or injury damages a joint.

Here are some early signs of arthritis you shouldn’t ignore:

• Constant joint pain lasting for weeks or months: Unlike normal joint and muscle pain, arthritis pain tends to stay.
• Joint swelling and tenderness: Visible inflammation and swelling that causes the joint to become very sensitive can suggest arthritis.
• Stiffness after waking up: If the joint stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes, it can be a clear sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Pain that increases after doing any activity: Healthy joints and muscles tend to loosen up after some gentle movement. If any activity or movement intensifies the pain instead of relieving it, that could mean joint damage or inflammation. 
• Unusual sounds like grinding or grating sound: Grinding or clicking sound, popping while doing any movement, could indicate cartilage decay. 
• Symmetrical joint pain: Symmetrical symptoms affecting the same joint on both sides of your body, like both hands and both knees, suggest severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Deformity of joint or visibility of joint appearance: Fingers and hands changing shapes over the period, looking crooked, weird, and different from what they used to, also signals arthritis. 
• Decreased range of motion: Struggling to bend your knee, twist your wrist, or fully rotate your shoulder? A loss of flexibility and range of motion is often one of the first signs of joint deterioration.

Also Read | Why arthritis pain peaks at night, and how to manage it

Your body speaks its language, and sometimes it could be giving us subtle warnings about what’s to come. Early detection of arthritis can help you a lot in taking proper precautions for it and seeking medical guidance before significant joint damage.

If you notice any of the above signs, consult a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist. Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable.

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