Ouch, my hand hurts! Is this something you are saying more often than usual? It may be too early to set an appointment with a hand specialist to diagnose the problem. There could be a strong possibility you are dealing with some form of arthritis.
Understanding Arthritis
So, what exactly is arthritis? Most of us probably know it as something that causes some level of discomfort or even severe pain in certain areas of the body. There are many sufferers of arthritis because there around 100 forms of the disease, all demonstrating various developmental signs and symptoms associated with them.
The same as true for arthritis in the hands. There are some particular symptoms that can manifest themselves in those who are dealing with arthritis in this part of the body.
Symptoms of Arthritis in The Hands
When it comes to the hands, the signs of symptoms are easy to identify. The most common among them are typically found at the wrists and the joints throughout the fingers. These include: inflammation/swelling, discomfort and pain, stiffness, and a restriction of movement due to any of these symptoms.
Flare-ups can be sporadic, occasional or even once in a while. Some sufferers may have opposite consistency in their display of symptoms with routine and prolonged flare-ups leading to chronic pain and disruption of normal everyday activities and capabilities. Actually, it may be days or even weeks before you have a flare-up. Over time you might experience chronic pain and performing simple activities may prove difficult.
Preventing Arthritis in Your Hands
The truth is there is no known cure to eliminate this disease. Arthritis can only be diagnosed and treated for prevention or relief of symptoms. Despite your best efforts to prevent arthritis you may still end up developing it at some point in your life. There are a number of theories as to why one individual may have arthritis while another does not. Genetics, family history, and gender can all play a role in what leads you to suffer the effects.
There Are Still Some Things You Can Do to Help Minimize Your Risk of Having Arthritis:
Weight gain can be a leading contributor to osteoarthritis. Smoking can be a major factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. An injury to the hand can trigger arthritic symptoms that can become worse over time, causing you discomfort or pain. Support your joints when you are doing repetitive actions associated with physical activity, whether you are working out, playing a sport, or moving heavy objects on a regular basis. Poor posture can also have negative effect on your hands, causing you to feel the effects of arthritis.
Another good way to ward off arthritis is by frequently flexing your hands and fingers through hand exercises. These can strengthen your hand muscles and reduce stiffness and the pain and discomfort that come with it.
Early diagnosis is vital for prevention. So, if you think you are starting to detect some form of arthritic discomfort, talk to you doctor.
