Help with arthritis pain. RA-diagnosis.Symptoms The commonly occurring symptoms of this type of arthritis are listed below:
• Painful, swollen and itchy joints especially the joints in the hands and the feet. • Stiffness in the joints and muscles experienced especially in the mornings • Lack of movement in the affected joints • Loss of strength in affected muscles • Fatigue • Depression • Fever • Deformity of joints • Overall sense of being unwell
Diagnosis • A doctor can detect what kind of arthritis you have by conducting a physical examination and certain laboratory tests. Blood tests and imaging are most common; a blood test helps to measure erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which shows inflammatory process taking place within the body. Another blood test is performed to figure the presence of an antibody called rheumatoid factor. Doctors may also take X-rays to establish if the condition is rheumatoid arthritis pain or osteoarthritis pain. • Any symptom of arthritis should not be ignored and a doctor should readily be consulted to minimize the potential pain, inflammation and joint damage.
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