Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

Arthritis refers to more than 100 types of joint diseases that affect 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 250 children. Arthritis can start in many ways, and can be difficult to recognize. It can come on slowly and be mild, or it can start suddenly and cause intense pain that surges within a few hours. The signs and symptoms can come and go over time. It might cause the classic issues of joint pain, swelling and stiffness, or it may first cause health problems that seem unrelated, like fatigue or a rash. Early signs of arthritis might be mistaken for an injury or the result of “too much” activity.

Watch for these potential signs and symptoms of arthritis:

·    Pain, swelling, or stiffness in one or more joints

·    Joints that are red or warm to the touch

·    Joint tenderness or stiffness

·    Difficulty moving a joint or doing daily activities

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any of the following:

·   Joint symptoms that last three days or more

·   Several episodes of joint symptoms within a month

People with arthritis often claim they can predict the weather, based on their joint pain level, and with good reason. Studies show a variety of weather factors can increase pain. A study from Tufts University in 2007 found that every 10-degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain. In addition, relatively low barometric pressure, low temperatures and precipitation can increase pain. Researchers aren’t sure why this happens. They suspect certain atmospheric conditions increase swelling in the joint capsule.

For more information, visit:  www.arthritis.org

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