Symptoms of Arthritis
Sep 30, 2022
Discover the most common symptoms of arthritis.
As we age, we are more likely to deal with certain conditions, including arthritis. Whether you are experiencing symptoms or have a family history of arthritis, you may wish to know the telltale signs, so you know when it’s time to turn to our Houston, TX, internists Dr. Tomas Rios and Dr. Nicolin Neal. Here are the top five symptoms associated with arthritis,
This is the number one sign of arthritis, and the one sign that often brings people into our Houston, TX, practice for an evaluation. If you notice joint pain that sticks around or comes and goes, these are signs of arthritis that shouldn’t be ignored. Joint pain can range in intensity, and the pain often worsens without treatment, so you should schedule an evaluation if you notice recurring or lingering joint pain. It’s common to develop arthritis in the wrists, fingers, knees, hips and ankles.
Are you finding that it’s more difficult to open a jar these days or harder to get out of bed in the morning? You may chalk it up to old age, but if you develop stiff joints that don’t move around as easily as they once did or feel stiff for hours on end despite moving around, this could be a sign of arthritis.
Not surprisingly, with joint stiffness and pain comes a decreased range of motion in these affected joints. While moving around throughout the day can often reduce stiffness and improve circulation, you may still find that your knees, wrists or other impacted areas of the body don’t move with the same ease and flexibility they once did.
Along with pain and stiffness, it’s common to notice swelling around the joints as fluid buildups in the tissue. You are more likely to experience this if you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.
Due to tissue inflammation, it’s natural for the affected joint or joints to appear red and warm to the touch. This is most common in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
If you suspect you might have arthritis, the best thing you can do is schedule an evaluation with our Houston, TX, team as soon as possible. Call Rios Healthcare Associates at (832) 323-9230.