Arthritis affects more than 50 million American adults according to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You might be wondering if your pain could be related to arthritis. Learn more here about what arthritis pain is and the conversations to have with your provider.
There are two types of arthritis, RA, or rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. RA is inflammatory, while osteoarthritis is related to joint symptoms such as pain involving the knees, wrists or hips. While all pain may seem similar it is important to note and discuss with your provider if your pain is associated with any of the following which can be signs of Osteoarthritis:
Similar to osteoarthritis, RA also has unique symptoms. Share with your provider if you are experiencing any of the following:
In addition, think about the type of pain you are experiencing which can include:
It is important to keep track of your pain and how you feel throughout the day. Keeping a diary of your pain can help your provider in determining how best to treat your pain.
Experiencing daily pain can also bring on feelings of anxiety and depression, which often occur with chronic illness and pain. It is important to share this with your provider.
