How crazy is this statistic—one in five people over the age of 18 suffer from arthritis in at least one of their joints!
That means that millions and millions of people are dealing with this frustrating diagnosis that can cause daily pain, irritation, and swelling. It also means that people will find it hard to get out of bed, go for a walk, or even perform simple daily tasks or chores.
What’s crazier is that there are actually over a hundred different types of arthritis that you can be diagnosed with.
While there is no actual cure for arthritis yet, there are some ways to cope with the pain!
To help you catch early symptoms of arthritis and cope with the pain, we’re going to share all you need to know about arthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis
1. Isolated Pain
Right, let’s address the main question first. What does arthritis pain feel like? No matter what type of arthritis you may have, the first sign in nearly all of them is pain. It differs for people and has been described as everything from a subtle aching sensation to a burning sensation in the joints and bones. Other people describe the sensation of feeling sore when they first wake up in the morning or a similar aching pain to what happens when humidity levels change. It most commonly occurs in parts of the body that are overused—such as a shoulder or knee.
2. Swelling of the area
It is common for those who first experienced subtle pain in their joint or bones to then feel a swelling sensation in that area as arthritis progresses. This is a result of the fluid, or lack thereof, causing the joints to have less cushion and protection. The immediate result of this is inflammation, which can increase the level of pain one can experience.
3. Shortness of breath
This one sounds a bit weird but is quite common for people who develop rheumatoid arthritis. When this happens, the joins first become stiff—specifically in the fingers and toes. But over time it takes a systematic approach to stiffen the entire body, including the ribs and lung area. That is why some people with arthritis also experience shortness of breath or chest pain.
4. Big toe is in pain
This one is a strange one too, but there is a form of arthritis that specifically impacts the big toe. Known as gout, people who experience this type of symptom see severe swelling in their big toe and it will continue to repeatedly flare-up. It can even spread up to impacting the ankle and knee as well.
How to treat the symptoms
While there isn’t much that can be done when it comes to making arthritis go away for good just yet, there is a range of amazing treatments that help alleviate the symptoms and make your life more pain-free.
There is a range of topical creams that have hemp mixed in that can be applied to the impacted area. Hemp has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe any swollen joints or areas that are swollen, so a topical cream is an easy solution that doesn’t require popping any medication. And the topical cream can be applied throughout the day, so you never have to be in pain or discomfort for too long.
But like any treatment plan, they are unique to the person. If you think you are showing symptoms of arthritis, get in touch with your doctor and discuss with them some options to alleviate your discomfort. Rest assured, there is a solution out there for everyone!
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
