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Call Your Doctor If

Arthritis can lead to severe pain, loss of joint mobility , joint deformation, shrinkage of muscles that are unused because of pain and sometimes an inability to perform daily activities as simple as getting dressed. Arthritis of the spine can cause pain in the upper back, neck, head, arms and chest. And the drugs used to treat arthritis may have side effects as well, some of them severe.

Proper diagnosis is important, so be sure to see a physician before beginning any treatment. See your doctor if experience any of the following:

• The pain and stiffness come on quickly, whether from an injury or an unknown cause; you may be experiencing the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

• The pain is accompanied by fever; you may have infectious arthritis.

• You notice pain and stiffness in your arms, legs, or back after sitting for short periods or after a night's sleep; you may be developing osteoarthritis or another arthritic condition.

• Your joints are stiff in the morning but loosen up later in the day.

• Your stiffness lasts for more than six weeks.

• You have severe joint pain that doesn't respond to heat, ice packs or aspirin.

• Your joint is hot, red, swollen and very painful.

• You experience stiffness after an injury to the joint.

• Your joints remain swollen even after you take aspirin or ibuprofen.

• You have chills or fever as well as swollen joints.

• You have already been diagnosed with arthritis but notice a new or different type of swelling in your joints.