Arthritis Self Test
Arthritis is a joint disorder, which commonly affects seniors and the elderly. While arthritis is more common among those over 65, it can effect people of all ages.
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are a number of treatments available to help reduce the pain that is associated with arthritis and to help reduce the risk of developing a serious deformity.
Since quickly diagnosing arthritis is very important for helping to control it, understanding and recognizing the symptoms of arthritis is crucial in treating arthritis. Rather than self treating arthritis and simply taking over the counter medicines, it is important to first speak with a doctor if any of the common symptoms, such as joint stiffness, begin to develop.
Below, you will find a number of questions you can use to help determine if you might have arthritis. You can use your response to these questions to help describe your situation to your doctor and help identify if you are experiencing the symptoms of arthritis.
- Do you find it difficult to use the stairs?
- Do you regularly experience stiffness or pain in your hands?
- Do you have difficulty preforming tasks such as brushing your teeth or writing?
- Do you have trouble sitting or standing, such as getting out of a car, using a toilet, or getting out of a sitting chair?
- When walking for an extended period of time, such as over 1/4 of a mile, do you experience pain in your Knee or Hip?
- Do you experience pain or stiffness in the morning, which goes away after a short period of time?
- Have you been experiencing any other physical limitations, which you have not spoken to your doctor about and make it difficult or painful to get around?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it is possible that you might be experiencing the onset of arthritis, so please speak with your doctor.