Arthritis is a chronic disease associated with inflammation of the joints that results in pain and restricted movement of the affected area. The term ‘arthritis’ is derived from the Greek words ‘arthro’ meaning joint and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. There are 100 different types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being two of the most commonly prevalent types.
Arthritis is a chronic condition that may or may not be a lifetime association depending on the promptness of action that a person may take in getting medical help in the diagnosis and the treatment of the disease. Here are the three stages a person might pass through from the onset of the initial symptoms of arthritis to the advanced stage where treatment becomes more of a necessity than a choice.
Stage I – Onset of Signs and Symptoms
The early
signs of arthritis like redness, swelling, and pain in one or more joints can be slightly nerve-racking and confusing too as they may resemble symptoms of common injuries and ailments. They are even more confounded if the signs are subtle. The initial reaction to the onset of a joint pain is to treat it like any other ailment and play doctor without a degree by trying out icepacks, heating pads, ACE bandages, OTC (over-the-counter) medications, and arthritis creams.
Stage II – Onset of Fear and Dilemma
Should I or Shouldn’t I pay a visit to the doctor is the topmost question in their minds when the pain refuses to go away even after two weeks of numerous attempts at self-treatment. Through this period of indecision that may last as long as they are confused, the symptoms take a definite shape of being associated with arthritis. The dilemma is soon replaced by fear of what is in store in the form of prognosis if you visit the doctor. The following are few of the symptoms that should ideally alert you to the possibility of you being afflicted with arthritis:
* Persistent joint pain
* Pain or tenderness in a joint aggravated by any kind of activity or movement such as walking, writing, holding or gripping an object.
* Inflammation in the form of joint swelling, stiffness, and redness
* Deformity of the joint.
* Restricted range of motion or loss of flexibility in a joint
* Abnormal weight loss
* Extreme fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, or general feeling of malaise
* Unaccounted for fever
Stage III – Onset of Professional Help
For those who stubbornly put up with pain for any number of reasons, these abovementioned symptoms should shake you up enough to seek professional help. If it does not, then it is time they understood the gravity of the situation where these symptoms, if left untreated can lead to more pronounced degeneration in the joints, severe joint and ligament damage causing debilitation and even depression. Persons afflicted with the advanced stage of arthritis are often unable to perform regular activities or enjoy their hobbies as simple tasks such as sitting down on a chair or getting up, or lifting an object becomes taxing.
On the other hand, for people who are smart enough to recognize the signs of arthritis and the need for medical intervention can visit a doctor to determine the exact type of arthritis they are afflicted with and the appropriate course of treatment to be followed to alleviate the pain. Ideally, a person should seek medical help in stage I to enjoy the benefits of getting the arthritis diagnosed and treated at the earliest possible time. Stage II definitely needs doctors’ assistance instead of playing ‘trial and error’ with OTC drugs.
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