Yes, there are many arthritis signs and symptoms, but the most common and well known in the tell-tell inflammation of the joints. Arthritis,classified as a rheumatic disease, gets a lot of attention in today's health care community and is the most common disease in the United States.

The rheumatic disease of arthritis leaves each individual with an illness blueprint of their very own. Arthritis signs and symptoms vary between different factors, treatments, complications and even prognosis. No two patients are the same. However, patients with arthritis are similar because as a whole, their disease tends to impact the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage and in many cases will affect internal body areas.

Arthritis signs and symptoms include pain and limited functions of joints, joint swelling, joint stiffness, tenderness or pain when touching a joint and warmth and redness in the joint. Arthritis can attack joints in almost any part of the body.

Varying forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause bodily changes that you can see and feel. For example, with Osteoarthritis patients' symptoms range from mild pain and join stiffness that seems predicated on activities such as walking, bending or stooping to severe joint pain. Remember, it varies from person to person. While Rheumatoid arthritis can attack almost any joint in the body. One of the major differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, is that RA tends to impact the same joint on both sides of the body. Whereas osteoarthritis tends to appear simply on one side.

If you have arthritis signs and symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Diagnosing arthritis early can help to prevent irreversible damage and disability.

Your doctor will review your history of arthritis signs and symptoms and examine the joints for inflammation and deformity. Certain blood, urine, joint fluid and x-ray test may also be ordered to help get an accurate diagnosis of arthritis. It may take several visits before your doctor can be certain of the diagnosis. Your primary physician may refer you to a rheumatologist for more specialized care.

There are several arthritis signs and symptoms and they must be taken seriously. There is no known cure for arthritis. Therefore, the treatment goal for this disease is to minimize the symptoms and on-going destruction of arthritis. With the proper treatment you can continue to live a happy and active lifestyle.