Living everyday with arthritis, you’ve probably understand when to wait out pain and when to call the doctor about it. But what if you notice something completely different – shortness of breath, a slightest bump leaves a big bruise or losing weight without trying? What may seem like a minor medical problem could be a warn:ing sign. Here are 7 signs you should never neglect – and when to visit to your doctor about them.

1. Joint Pain

Early signs of arthritis can display as pain in one or more joints that gradually gets worse over time. The pain may occur during bouts of physical activity, or at the start or end of the day.

Rheumatoid arthritis may display a little different. “In medical studies, early RA sufferers said that the pain could be ‘vague’ or ‘mild’,” says Dr Lee. This has been supposed as being ‘like a light switch’ – once the switch had been flicked the pain was insufferable. Some have said they thought they had ‘chipped or broken a bone,’ because the pain was so bad.

2. Joint swelling and tenderness

Swelling may feel warm, the area might look aroused, and it could be supple – which is where an affected area hurts if you press down on it. This is a warning symptom of various forms of arthritis, but it is particularly indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Joint stiffness, especially in the morning

“Stiffness is often a major feature of arthritis,” says Dr Deborah Lee. “It is typically worse when waking in the morning but does not last more than 30 minutes. It loosens up with moving around.”

Joint stiffness, particularly when you first get up and after periods of rest, is a popular early sign of arthritis. Morning stiffness originating from osteoarthritis may only last half an hour after waking up, whereas stiffness resulting from rheumatoid arthritis may last longer.

4. Grinding or cracking sounds when you move the joint

Crepitus refers to a feeling or noise that you hear when you move your joints. If you’re hearing grinding or cracking sounds when you move your joints, this may be because the cartilage has worn down.

5. Reduced range of motion

If you have arthritis, it may be harder to fully bend or stretch the affected area. This stricted range could be because of damaged cartilage, inflammation or a result of stiffness.

6. Deferred pain

The pain of arthritis does not just affect the joint in question: it can also impact on nearby areas. For example, pain from arthritis in the hip can sometimes be felt in the buttocks, groin, thigh or knee. Arthritis in the foot can also affect the hips, glutes, and back. Lower back pain as a result of arthritis can also be felt in the knees.

7. Fatigue

People experiencing the early signs of inflammatory arthritis may feel more tired than usual because of their immune systems overactivity. Arthritis can also make you tired because being in pain can make it harder to sleep and exercise, which can leave you feeling drained.

What should you do have arthritis?

Getting an early diagnosis is really crucial for slowing or stopping its progression and knowing how to control the condition. While there is no cure for arthritis, things like exercise, medication, alternative therapies and topical treatments such as FlexiSEQ – a drug free gel that greases the cartilage in joints to ease pain and stiffness and enhance impaired joint function associated with all stages of osteoarthritis – can all help you relieve the symptoms and maintain your quality of life.