Arthritis symptomsmultifactorial.What causes arthritis symptoms? Let me count the ways... Arthritis afflicts more than 46 million Americans according to the US Centers for Disease Control. The symptoms can vary from mild to debilitating depending on any number of factors and depending on which of the three most common types you may be dealing with; osteoarthritis (OA) (or degenerative joint disease - DJD), fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (inflammatory, multijoint, multisystem disease). osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis affecting most often the knee and then the small joints of the hand. OA affects the joint cartilage and the subchondral bone underneath. Basically, the joint cartilage begins to erode, then the subchondral bone underneath becomes thick and stiff followed by bone spur formation along the joint line. The two most common and major symptoms of OA are pain and stiffness even though only 1/4 to 1/2 of those with OA actually complain of these symptoms. There is a difference between symptoms and consequences from those symptoms. Pain and stiffness (symptoms) can further cause decrease in mobility, causing weakness, fatigue and a general decline in overall health and independence. fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia slides into second place after OA for commonality in Americans. Fibromyalgia symptoms are most commonly described as a chronic pain of muscles, ligaments and joints that is widespread throughout the body and has lasted for 3 months. Part of the clinical diagnosis of these symptoms includes increase pain over specific "tender points" Those battling fibromyalgia also seem to have difficulty sleeping, constant low energy levels or chronic fatigue, emotional distress, moderate stiffness in the morning and irritable bowel syndrome. rheumatoid arthritis More to come.
Tips on avoiding arthritis symptoms
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