Is it just aches—or arthritis? 8 early signs you shouldn't ignore

Arthritis is not only for the elderly. Most types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, start early in life and develop unnoticed. Too often, early signs are dismissed as "just tiredness" or "normal aging." This delay can result in irreversible joint damage, disability, and a drastic decline in quality of life.
So, let's discuss about the 8 early signs and symptoms of arthritis that you should never ignore. If you or your known experiences any of these, get yourself visited by a doctor—ideally a rheumatologist—at the earliest.

1. Joint pain that lasts
Everyone has joint pain from time to time, particularly after use or an injury. But if you find constant pain in joints such as the knees, fingers, wrists, or ankles—even when you're not physically active—it might be an early warning sign of arthritis. Such pain begins slowly and may go away and then return, but it becomes more regular over time.

2. Stiffness, particularly in the morning
Do your joints lock or feel stiff when you get up in the morning? Does it take over 30 minutes to "warm up" and get going? Morning stiffness lasting over half an hour is a typical early sign of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Swelling in joints
Puffiness or swelling visible on the surface around a joint, particularly of the hands, knees, or feet, is an alert. Swelling in arthritis is usually secondary to inflammation of the lining of the joint. It tends to be warm and may be tender or even painful.

4. Decreased range of motion
Have you realized that you cannot move your joints as you used to? For instance, if you are having trouble bending your knees fully or closing your fist tightly, it may be due to inflammation limiting your joint movement. Reduced range of motion is an initial indicator of joint damage that may progress if not treated.

5. Fatigue and weaknessMost forms of arthritis, particularly autoimmune forms such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, produce overall tiredness, fatigue, and weakness in the muscles. This is not a matter of being tired after work—this is a pervasive feeling of tiredness that is not relieved by rest.

6. Redness and warmth around joints
Inflammation may also result in the skin over the joint becoming warm and reddish. This may be confused with an allergy or infection of the skin, but if it is found near a joint and is accompanied by pain or stiffness, then arthritis may be the cause.

7. Numbness or tingling sensation
Inflammation in joints in the hands and wrists may compress nerves near them, causing tingling, numbness, or a pins-and-needles sensation. This is particularly frequent in rheumatoid arthritis, where hand joints become involved early.

8. Unexplained weight loss or fever
At times, particularly in autoimmune types of arthritis, individuals may develop low-grade fever, loss of appetite, or unintentional weight loss. These general symptoms arise as a result of ongoing inflammation within the body and usually are ignored until joint pain is extreme.

Why early diagnosis is important
Diagnosis of arthritis at its initial stage is important. Early detection enables:

• Early treatment, which has the potential to delay or even stop joint destruction.
• Improved quality of life, decreased pain and enhanced functioning.
• Prevention of long-term complications, i.e., deformity of the joints and disability.
• Most forms of arthritis can be controlled well if identified early. The treatment involves medications, physiotherapy, lifestyle modification, and in some, surgery. But it is the early identification and timely action that holds the key.

If you or someone you know is having recurring joint ache, morning stiffness, swelling, or any one of the signs mentioned above, don't hesitate. See a doctor. Take a test. Begin treatment at an early stage.

Your joints are the foundation of your body—care for them before it is too late.

Dr. Beenish Nazir, Consultant Rheumatologist at Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore