Top Red Flags of Arthritis to Never Ignore

Arthritis is one of the common problems affecting several individuals globally, including athletes. As an athlete, it is rare to encounter joint pain on various occasions, particularly if you engage in aqua-aerobic activities like running. However, if you experience stiffness, pain, or aching, you are more likely to have arthritis. Portland arthritis continues to be an issue affecting some athletes who are unaware if they have it. Therefore, if you are unsure if you have arthritis, below are the top six red flags you should watch out for.

Joint Stiffness

Stiffness can be one of the earliest red flags of arthritis. When you have joint stiffness, you will experience discomfort after staying inactive for some time, including waking up in the morning or sitting down for an extended period. If you have osteoarthritis, your stiffness in the morning can take around 30 minutes before it disappears. However, with inflammatory osteoarthritis like RA, the morning stiffness can last for one hour based on the extent of joint damage.

Joint Tenderness

In most cases, joint tenderness is a common sign of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This form of arthritis is categorized by frequent inflammation. Osteoarthritis is another form that consists of eliminating your joint cartilage. When you have RA, membranes responsible for protecting and lubricating joints are inflamed, leading to tenderness in your joints.

Chronic Joint Pain

Joint pain, which stays or bursts up, is a chief red flag for arthritis you should never ignore. Even though pain varies depending on intensity, a significant population in the USA experiences severe arthritis joint pain. Moreover, the pain worsens with time, particularly if untreated. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, wear and tear, you can experience joint pain in both hips and knees.

Reduced Range of Motion

If you have knee arthritis, you will notice that it is becoming complex to squat or jump. The effect occurs due to pain, stiffness, and inflammation in your joints. You should move your joints carefully to enhance circulation and minimize arthritis symptoms. Even if you find it hard to do so due to pain, doing them regularly will reduce your joint’s stiffness with time. 

Unexplained Weight Loss

Indirect inflammation effects like unexplained weight loss can lead to weight loss. In most cases, when you feel fatigued and feverish, you will lose your appetite, which can lead to persistent weight loss. Furthermore, cytokines responsible for wreaking disaster in joints for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis impact metabolism. As a result, it contributes to the breakdown of the muscles, increasing the likelihood of unexplained weight loss.

Persistent Fatigue

Getting tired is something every person experiences. However, feeling tired for prolonged periods can be an indicator of arthritis. In this situation, you will experience fatigue even after sufficient sleep. Extreme fatigue can occur due to several inflammation effects in your joints. For inflammatory arthritis, you are susceptible to chronic fatigue.

Arthritis can be overwhelming and frustrating as it affects your overall quality of life. If you struggle with symptoms like tenderness, stiffness, weight loss, chronic joint pain, or reduced range of motion, it is high time you seek treatment. These are some common red flags you should always pay attention to. With early diagnosis and treatment, you can return to your favorite activities.