An Overview of Arthritis Symptoms
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Arthritis" is not just a word healthcare providers use when they talk about painful, stiff joints. There are many kinds of arthritis (over 100 types), each with different symptoms and treatments. Even within the different
types of arthritis, symptoms can vary. For example, for some people with
rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms last only a few months and go away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people may have a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis that is active most of the time, lasts for many years or a lifetime, and leads to serious joint damage and disability.
Are There Any Common Symptoms of Arthritis?
Although different types of arthritis have different symptoms, there are certain symptoms that are shared with a number of the different types.
Some of these possible arthritis symptoms include:
Any joint can be affected by arthritis. However, certain types are arthritis are more likely to affect certain joints. For example,
ankylosing spondylitis most often affects the joints in the lower spine.
Some types of arthritis affect other parts of the body besides the joints. For example, rheumatoid arthritis may cause more generalized symptoms that include weakness, tiring easily, a decreased appetite, weight loss, and a low-grade fever. Rheumatoid arthritis and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may also affect the heart.
One of the myths about arthritis is that it is always painful. Pain is not always present with arthritis. For example, two-thirds of people whose x-rays show evidence of
osteoarthritis report no pain.
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