Arthritis is not a single disease, nor is there a single symptom. Instead, symptoms can vary greatly from individual to individual, with the lifestyle of the person with arthritis, as well as the type of arthritis, playing an important role in determining how the disease will affect the body.

However, while symptoms can vary, a few symptoms are common with most types of arthritis, with pain and joint inflammation being quite prevalent among many with arthritis, as well as stiffness, a general reduction in mobility, and a feeling of tiredness.

These symptoms are described in more detail below, but make sure to keep in mind that the diseases can vary quite a bit from person to person and with more than a hundred types of arthritis, there are many other ways it can affect the body.

Swelling and Inflammation of the Joints

Inflammation and Swelling are often the most common symptoms of arthritis and, in fact, the word ‘itis’ is Latin and relates to inflammation. Often, these symptoms are the cause of other symptoms, such as joint pain.

Swelling can occur in a joint for several reasons, sometimes as the synovial fluid, which is found in the joint, becomes increased, which is called effusion, or the joint’s lining becomes enlarged.

Often, doctors will use the number of swollen joints as an indication of the how the arthritis is affecting their patients daily living.

Inflammation occurs often in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, and is typically the result of peptides, which are a type of protein, being released in the joint, as well as an increased blood flow in the joint. Sometimes, increased blood flow and other side-effects of inflammation result in swelling and can be a factor causing pain and stiffness.

Joint Pain

Joint pain is likely the most prevalent symptom of arthritis, or at least the one that has the biggest impact on daily life. Virtually all types of arthritis result in some sort of joint pain as a symptom.

Arthritis pain, which is typically classified as a chronic pain, is often the result of swelling or inflammation. Although, especially in osteoarthritis, pain can also be the result of a reduction in cartilage, causing the joints to rub directly together.

Since pain affects people differently and is, in many ways, subjective, this is not always the best tool in diagnosing arthritis. This is because a pain on the scale of 10 for one person might only rate a 5 for another.

Joint pain often occurs when pressure is applied to a joint, with the number of joints that feel tender to the touch being a factor used to determine how severe the disease is.

Joint Stiffness

The length and time joints become stiff can often help determine what type of arthritis is present and can be a very useful tool in diagnosing arthritis.

For example, a stiffness that occurs after rigorous exercise would be an indication of a degenerative rheumatological disorder, such as osteoarthritis. However, morning stiffness, especially stiffness that goes away after around an hour, is more symptomatic of rheumatoid arthritis.

It is important to remember that often inactivity can lead to stiffness, which is one of the reasons that regular safe exercises, like walking, are recommended by most rheumatologists.

Joint Damage

Arthritis can cause damage to joints in many ways. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, the body begins breaking down the joint as an autoimmune response. Tendon damage and even damage to other organs in the body is also common with this type of arthritis.

However, in someone with a wear and tear arthritis, like osteoarthritis, damage usually occurs much more gradually and often as the result of repeated motions.

In cases where cartilage loss is near complete, the bones of the joint begin to rub together, which can cause small growths to develop around the joint.

Reduction of Mobility

Loss of function in a joint or joints affected by arthritis is often the byproduct of pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness.

The location and type of arthritis has a major impact on how it affects mobility. For example, someone with hip or knee arthritis would likely have difficulty getting around, while a person with arthritis in their hand would likely have difficulty with tasks that require small motor functions, like typing.

Like pain, this symptom can often be dependent on the individual and varies greatly person to person.

Feelings of Fatigue

A general feeling of fatigue often accompanies arthritis, although with general discomfort. This is sometimes the result of pain, which can have a wide affect on the body, including difficulty sleeping. Other factors, such as depression, as the disease progresses.