Are you worried that you might be developing the early symptoms of arthritis? Few health conditions put a dent on one's active lifestyle more than the latter. Hence if you have reason to suspect that this is the road you are headed, then you owe it to yourself to find out for sure and look for ways to get ahead of the problem.
As you may already know, the risk of getting arthritis increases as we grow older. For this reason, the condition is more prevalent among older people and often have a debilitating effect on one's quality of life. If that sounds a lot like the situation that you are in, then you would be happy to know that the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis can be effectively mitigated. It all starts by obtaining a proper diagnosis.
So what are the signs that you may have arthritis?
The early signs of arthritis can vary from one person to another. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Painful and swollen joints
- Stiffness and discomfort in the joints early in the morning or after a long time of inactivity
- Swollen hands and limbs
- A grating sensation when moving your joints
- Difficulty in moving your joints
- Abnormal bone formation surrounding the joints
So what can you do about it these symptoms?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, then it's essential that you start taking action to preserve the health and mobility of your joints. It's not enough to manage the symptoms with an arthritis cream alone.
Think about it -- the health of your joints is instrumental in maintaining mobility and productivity later on in life. People who manage the early signs of arthritis can expect to enjoy independence and a higher quality of life well into their older years.
Knowing that you are on the verge of developing full-blown arthritis can be seen as an opportunity to take steps to protect your joints from damage brought about by swelling and inflammation. This is important considering that arthritis has links to other debilitating conditions such as heart disease and liver failure.
Perhaps the most challenging thing about managing arthritis is that it can be complicated to diagnose. What most people don't realise is that there are more than 100 variations of arthritis, and each one can start affecting the body in different ways. In many cases, the effect is gradual, and patients don't notice until the condition has become too severe.
Seeking diagnosis for arthritis can also be seen as an opportunity to rule out other health conditions to determine the root source of your pain or discomfort. The latter is crucial if you are to manage the early signs of arthritis.
Seeking relief for arthritis pain
So let us say that you have been diagnosed with arthritis. The next step is to come up with a personalised treatment strategy for your condition. This includes the proper selection and use of a pain relief cream, a healthy diet and regular exercise to maintain the mobility of your joints. While arthritis can no doubt be a debilitating and frustrating condition, it is always possible to manage it properly and preserve your quality of life.
