Arthritis develops when the shock-absorbing cartilage that normally cushions your bone is not able to function normally
Arthritis is usually associated with severe joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. According to doctors, this debilitating condition develops due to cartilage wearing down over the years. While early symptoms include swelling and discomfort, there is much more to it.
Globally, it is estimated that arthritis affects an estimated 600 million people – with rheumatoid arthritis impacting more than 18 million. Experts say the prevalence of the condition is increasing, with osteoarthritis showing a particularly significant rise due to factors like ageing populations, obesity, and injuries.
How does arthritis begin?
Doctors say arthritis begins to develop when the shock-absorbing cartilage that normally cushions your bone is not able to function normally. This can be due to a wearing down of the cartilage over the years or inflammation in the joint.
With its natural cushion impaired, the joint can swell or become hard to move. Depending on which joints arthritis affects, the disease can make it difficult to walk, open jars, or do other everyday tasks.
Early symptoms of arthritis
A few early signs of arthritis you need to look out for include:
Decreased range of motion
Many times, when you notice you are not able to move your joints as you used to. As you grow older, you may have trouble bending your knees fully or closing your fist tightly. Doctors say it may happen due to inflammation and swelling which limits your joint movement and flexibility.
This reduced range of motion is among the first signs of joint damage that can progress if not detected and treated well in time.
Fatigue and weakness
According to experts, in most forms of arthritis – especially the autoimmune ones like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis – you may suffer overall tiredness, fatigue, and weakness in the muscles, and despite taking a rest, it does not go away at all.
Doctors say fatigue can be an early sign of arthritis that can manifest before or alongside other telltale signs like joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Since arthritis triggers an inflammatory response throughout the body, it can cause weakness, a feeling of general malaise, and tiredness, which can affect both physical and mental sharpness.
Breathlessness
In many people, breathlessness can also be an early sign of rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not usually the most common initial symptom. While joint pain and stiffness are typically the first noticeable signs, arthritis also affects your lungs and causes shortness of breath, chest pain, or a persistent cough.
Doctors say it happens since inflammation can affect your lungs, causing pleurisy or pulmonary fibrosis, which leads to respiratory issues.
Dryness in eyes
Dryness in your eyes, swelling and inflammation can also be an early sign of rheumatoid arthritis – especially when it is accompanied by other symptoms like joint pains and stiffness. Doctors say dry eyes – also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca – are a common manifestation of arthritis – often linked to inflammation of the tear glands.
A few other symptoms, like burning, itching, a feeling of grittiness, and sometimes even blurred vision, can happen.
High fever
Even though fever may not be a common early sign of most types of arthritis, it can occur in some inflammatory forms like rheumatoid arthritis or reactive arthritis. Doctors say fever is more likely to be a sign of infection or other underlying conditions – so it is important to always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.
