Joints are important for the efficient functioning of connected bones. It is the point where two bones are linked and it permits us to move joined bones freely. But its most notorious adversary is the disease that goes by the name "arthritis", which literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis effectively paralyzes its victim by making joint movement painful and uncomfortable.

People commonly misunderstand arthritis and assume that it is just one kind of disease. Actually, it is just a collective name for many kinds of diseases. It comes in many forms and with different levels of severity. Symptoms for arthritis also differ according to the types a person has.

Symptoms for arthritis could attack a person suddenly or they can come in a gradual manner. Also, symptoms are not only manifested in joints, but they can also be seen in other ways.

The most common symptoms for arthritis that are typical in all of its types include swelling, tenderness, redness and warmth. Symptoms for arthritis could also result in limited range of motion, pain, which includes muscle aches, and discomfort.

Persistence of these symptoms, particularly if they continue for over a week, means that medical intervention is already needed. Pain and stiffness that does not subside is a sign for greater trouble. It is important that these symptoms are checked by a doctor immediately to prevent the progression of arthritis.

Symptoms can either be a signal for inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. Kinds of inflammatory arthritis, which affects the functioning of internal organs, could be manifested through the presence of nodules under the skin, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite which results in weight loss and inflammation of glands, particularly salivary and tear glands. Pain in the neck, spine, back, shoulders, hip, hands, elbows and knees could also be present.

Inflammatory arthritis could also be ruled out if multiple joints are involved and if the pattern of the disease is symmetrical, meaning both sides of the body are simultaneously affected.

Non-inflammatory kinds of arthritis are seen through swelling and stiffness, particularly after waking up or after not moving for a period of time. The swelling and stiffness could occur in one or more parts of the body but not in both sides of it. Also, there is the feeling of brittleness in the joints when moving. Damp weather also increases the level of pain that the patient experiences, but this decreases after a period of rest.

Aside from subjecting a person to pain and discomfort, it also affects a person's way of life. It can hinder a person from doing day-to-day activities like walking, climbing flights of stairs and performing doing chores. A person with arthritis is forced to live an inactive lifestyle and it could also influence how a person performs his job, especially if his line of work calls for physically strenuous activities.

To conclude, arthritis could paralyze a person and stop him from living the best kind of life that he can live. But early detection can alleviate its effects.