The 12 Symptoms of Arthritis That Should Not Be Ignored
Arthritis Symptoms Not to Be Ignored are key to helping you detect this problem. In addition, Arthritis Symptoms can be confused, at first, as belonging to other diseases, examples of which are morning stiffness and malaise that are quite confused and can go unnoticed.
Arthritis means “inflammation in the joints” and can happen in one or several joints at the same time. The disease has no exact age to happen and affects from children to the elderly.
Arthritis is an inflammation that occurs in the joints of the body. It interferes with the lining of these joints, causing painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. So, check out The 12 Arthritis Symptoms Not to Ignore:
Inability to Move or Lift Hand or Foot: Compared with numbness or tingling, not being able to lift or move a hand or foot is a much more serious complication. It’s also a much rarer occurrence, involving damage to the nerves that stimulate the muscles. In the case of this Arthritis Symptom Not to Be Ignored , evaluation is mandatory and urgent as it may result in permanent disability.
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Non- Specific Symptoms: Non -specific symptoms can appear suddenly and can be quite mild, so don’t ignore when your body is manifesting that something isn’t right.
Specifically, signs and symptoms of arthritis that shouldn’t be ignored such as loss of energy, night sweats , sudden weight loss, unexplained fatigue, or a low- grade fever may mean it’s time to re-evaluate your treatment. Be sure to discuss any of these symptoms with your doctor.
Shortness of breath or chest pain: As rheumatoid arthritis can affect the heart, people with the disease are at greater risk of heart attacks and heart failure, and there may also be involvement of the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and heart valves. Chest pain or shortness of breath are major Arthritis Symptoms that should not be ignored .
If you get out of breath easily and have a fever , it could be a lung infection. Or in some cases it could be a type of interstitial lung disease, which causes the lungs to become inflamed and scarred.
Pleural effusion can appear around the lungs, which requires other more vigorous and aggressive therapeutic measures. Seek medical help right away if you’re experiencing these Arthritis Symptoms That Shouldn’t Be Ignored , even if you’ve never had heart or lung changes.
Gastric Problems: If you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis , you may be at risk for stomach problems. These medications can cause nausea , vomiting, pain, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
When taking an NSAID, always report during your consultation with your doctor the presence of any of these Arthritis Symptoms that Should Not Be Ignored to investigate the relationship with the medication or some other diagnostic hypothesis. Never take medication on your own.
Inflamed and Red Eyes: The blood vessels in the eyes are another common target for rheumatoid arthritis , especially among people with more severe forms of the disease. If the outermost part of your eye is dry or irritated, the use of eye drops or artificial tears can be one of the Arthritis Symptoms that Should Not Be Ignored and it is usually possible to treat the problem.
However, sudden pain and redness of the eyes can mean that deeper parts of the eye are affected. This can be a very serious complication, so see a doctor right away if this happens.
Spots On or Around Your Fingers: Small red or black spots around the nails can mean that the tissue in these areas does not receive an adequate blood supply as a result of small inflamed blood vessels, thus, one of the Arthritis Symptoms that Should Not be ignored .
Although very rare, the spots can signal an advanced form of systemic inflammation, and medical attention should be sought immediately for evaluation and diagnosis. If the symptom is not treated, it can lead to loss of fingers or toes.
Purple Spots on the Skin That Appear Easily: If you find purple spots and bruising that appear unrelated to trauma, you may be facing a complication of Rheumatoid Arthritis that lowers the number of platelets in your blood.
Numbness or Tingling: Rheumatoid arthritis can cause an accumulation of connective tissue in the joints of the hands and feet, eventually causing compression of a nerve and consequently producing numbness and tingling which is also one of the Arthritis Symptoms that should not be ignored .
As a result, you may experience weakness or changes in movement in the affected joints. If you experience numbness or tingling, you need to be evaluated by a rheumatologist as soon as possible to determine the cause.
Fever and Other Arthritis Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored in Infection: Another problem in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is any infection related to drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis , eg TNF inhibitor drugs.
One of the Symptoms of Arthritis that Should Not Be Ignored is a high fever , but other signs and symptoms may be present such as coughing , or an area of skin that is extremely hot, red, swollen, or more painful than usual.
Infections can spread very quickly and can be difficult to control as patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a compromised immune system . If you suspect an infection, it is very important that you see a doctor immediately to determine the etiology of the infection and start treatment with the appropriate medication.
Bone Fracture: Bone fracture in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis may revealunderlying osteoporosis as one of the Arthritis Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored , especially among women. Due to its inflammatory nature, rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone loss. The risk of fracture may increase further if you are taking prednisone.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: In addition to exercising and following a diet rich in Calcium and Vitamin D , people with rheumatoid arthritis should have a bone density test to determine the presence of osteoporosis once RA is diagnosed.
This Can Be Either Because Of The Treatment Or Due To The Illness Itself: Always consult your doctor as soon as he detects any changes in your skin, he may order a blood test to check the amount of platelets.
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When the blood platelet count is too low and the risk of bleeding increases, which in some cases can be serious. Seek medical assistance to determine the nature of the change and begin treatment for the problem.