Arthritis (4 Q.s)?

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Arthritis (4 Q.s)?1) What are the main symptoms of Arthritis?
2) When does it start.. (at what age) and is there a cause?
3) Does a "Blood test" really confirms whether a person have Arthritis or not and type of arthritis?
4) I came to know by reading other resolved Questions that its permanent. So are there any remedy(s) to lessen the pain -- mainly for knuckles & joints of hands?

Thank you very much for all of your answers and your time.
Thanks Lacey & Ellen!
I do not have swelling or bumps, but i have so much pain at my knuckles, and wrists of both hands. BTW i'm 33. My doctor did not order for a blood test, but she prescribed me "Anaprox DS:550mg" i am not feeling better, my next appt. to the doctor is next friday. What questions should i ask her? Thanks again.
P.S: The pains started 2 months ago with stiffness in fingers at early morning. They used to relax under running warm water.
Now i am having pains all the day. I am not able to hold a pot of 3 cups cooked rice or even a coffee mug.

-lacey
1) Pain and swelling usually located in joint areas

2) It can be at any time of life (at any age). There are theories as to the cause.

3) Yes, a blood test confirms the diagnosis and type

4) Normally exercise is recommended and some pain reliever ointments. However, I just say, "a bad day that can last for months."

-Ellen G
First you should know that there are many forms of arthritis so you can not simply answer your questions without going into each kind. However pain and/or swelling are some main symptoms of most forms. There could be a bump on a knuckle of a finger without any pain or other swelling yet this could be the beginning of osteoarthritis, the most common form. When does arthritis start? Well...there is juvenile forms which can begin pretty early. Blood tests can detect some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid but not all. You would need to be tested for the exact type of arthritis the doctor believe you might have. For knuckles and joints of the hand some people use a paraffin dip. (where the hand is dipped into heated wax.) The heat helps to loosen the joints. Another thing that people can use is one of the "stress balls" for help exercise the effected hand.

There is a lot of information available but the Arthritis Foundation is one of the best.

What do you think? Answer below! About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Conditions
Arthritis Medication, Prevention, Symptoms, Treatment and Causes by Gooarthritis.info

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