The two main types of arthritis have different symptoms. Osteoarthritis usually involves swelling and inflammation within the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include fatigue, fever, and rashes. Each person, however, may experience different symptoms, or a combination of symptoms. Be sure to check with your doctor if you suspect you or your loved one has arthritis.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms include stiff, inflamed, and painful joints. Stiffness may be worse in the morning or after a long period of time without moving. Joint pain may also be marked after working, walking, or exercising. Osteoarthritis may also be marked by a grinding or a creaking sound in the joint whenever it is moved—such as a grinding noise in the hips when you or your loved one stands up from a seated position.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include joint stiffness, joint swelling, and joint pain in hands, wrists, elbows, knees, hips, ankles, and the feet. Many elderly people notice arthritis symptoms are more severe after waking up in the morning or not moving for a while (after watching TV, playing cards, etc.).

Symmetrical joints may often be affected—if one knee joint hurts, chances the, so will the other. Feelings of general malaise including such symptoms as fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph glands may be present

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