Arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting most adults in the country. There are over 100 different subtypes of arthritis that exhibit a myriad of symptoms as the condition progresses. However, there are a few key early signs and symptoms that indicate developing arthritis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can help improve quality of life in the long run. Here are the signs and symptoms to identify.

Pain and tenderness
Pain that develops with muscle tenderness between the connecting joints is an early arthritis sign. Experiencing stiffness in the joints with the new pain is also a worrying sign that should not be ignored. Often this pain goes away with physical activity. However, prolonged periods of inactivity further worsen the stiffness associated with the condition. Further, inflammation of the joints will also cause a warm sensation to develop under the skin with visible swelling and redness. These inflammatory responses mainly affect the membranes that hold joints together and worsen as arthritis progresses.

Lumps under the skin
For specific types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, a person may develop nodules or lumps under the skin. The size varies depending on the severity of the condition, but these nodules can be as small as a lentil or grow more significant than a walnut. These non-tender nodules usually appear on the back of the heels, knees, forearms, elbows, knuckles, and fingers. Some people may also develop itchy skin just around the nodules. A lump in the big toe is a clear indicator of gout, another common type of arthritis.

Limited range of motion
Mobility is first affected when arthritis develops as the pain, stiffness, and swelling impacts the proper functioning of the joints. Reduced range of motion will start to affect some basic actions like walking, sitting, standing up, or lying down. A person might also develop pain with these symptom flareups that further make it difficult to maintain range of motion. These mobility issues generally affect the hands and legs but can gradually develop around other vital joints.

Loss of appetite, fever, and fatigue
Autoimmune responses can wreak havoc on the immune system, resulting in a person developing fever and fatigue. The body temperature rises to ward off an attack on the immune system, so one might experience weakness and tiredness. Widespread inflammation that develops in all common types of arthritis is the main trigger of fever and fatigue. This fatigue will not go away even with a whole night of rest. One might also lose interest in food and experience a loss of appetite due to malaise or a general lack of well-being.

Painful movement
Osteoarthritis, one of the most commonly diagnosed subtypes, primarily affects the bones and joints. It results in the breakdown of healthy cartilage between two joints and causes deterioration of ligaments and tendons that hold both together. Further, inflammation in the lining of the joints worsens the pain, and flare-ups deeply affect movement. One might notice a cracking and grinding sensation in the affected joints as the cushioning cartridge wears out. Due to this, there is also an increased risk of joint instability.