According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 67 million Americans above the age of 18 will have been diagnosed with arthritis by 2030.
For such a common ailment, it's surprising how little people know about the symptoms associated with the disease.
Take the following quiz to discover whether you exhibit any of the symptoms associated with the different forms of arthritis.
Do you experience stiffness in the mornings?
Stiffness in the morning is a common complaint of the arthritis sufferer. In fact, the duration and nature of the stiffness can help doctors determine what kind of arthritis one has. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers often experience lingering periods of stiffness in the morning that last for 40 minutes or longer. Osteoarthritis sufferers, on the other hand, tend to experience stiffness for only about 30 minutes.
Have you experienced a decrease in your appetite?
A decrease in appetite and loss of weight are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Because rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, it sometimes causes symptoms throughout the body rather than just the joints. Feelings of nausea and lethargy -- which leads to a loss of appetite are not unusual.
Do you feel pain and stiffness in any of your joints?
In the over 100 different types of arthritis, pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms. Different forms of arthritis cause pain for different reasons. The pain and stiffness people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis feel is caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints. On the other hand, the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis sufferers is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, which causes the bones to rub together.
Have you noticed any redness or swelling around your joints, feet or hands?
An abnormal amount of fluid buildup, which causes swelling, is common in areas where the joints are affected by arthritis. The fluid is produced by the soft tissue that surrounds the affected joint.
Have you noticed any deformities or abnormalities on your skin (i.e. bumps, rashes or sores)?
Yes, I have experienced at least one of these things.
Different forms of arthritis cause different skin problems. Rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, can cause lesions, because abnormalities within the immune system will attack the skin in the same way that they attack the lining of the joints. Additionally, about 25 percent of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis will develop nodules under the skin called rheumatoid nodules. Psoriatic arthritis is known to cause inflammation of the skin characterized by red, scaly patches of skin.
Have you experienced a decrease in your range of motion?
The inflammation caused by arthritis often leads to a decrease in range of motion. It may become difficult for an individual to fully extend any joints that are afflicted with arthritis.
Have you noticed feelings of depression?
Feelings of depression are common among people who experience chronic pain. This is especially true for people who suffer from arthritis. In fact, one survey found that 20 to 25 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from anxiety or depressive disorders.
Can you hear or feel cracking when you move a joint?
Cracking of the joints may or may not be associated with arthritis. If, for instance, the joint is rough from the wear and tear seen in people with arthritis, then it will crack when moved. However, cracking can also be the harmless product of air bubbles popping between the joints.
Do you notice stiffness after long periods of inactivity?
Many people with arthritis experience a brief period of stiffness after inactivity. The stiffness often persists for about 30 minutes, and is minimized by mild activity that warms up the joint.
Do your joints tend to feel unstable as if they might buckle under pressure?
The gradual weakening of the joints experienced by arthritis sufferers often leads to feelings of joint instability. This symptom is often seen in people suffering from osteoarthritis in their knees.
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