Osteoarthritis, the unwelcome thief of mobility, is a condition identifiable by the painful theft of joint comfort and flexibility. For Dr Lauren Papa, discovering when you should seek professional medical help for osteoarthritis is crucial. That’s because you can effectively prevent this silent adversary from impacting your quality of life.
When You Should See A Doctor For Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis might creep up on you, inconveniently developing over the years and often without conspicuous early-stage symptoms. However, you must keep an eye out for these signs. That’s because they might indicate a need to urgently consult a healthcare professional.
• Persistent Joint Pain or Swelling – An occasional ache or pain may not necessarily signal osteoarthritis, but you should consider seeking medical advice if you experience persistent pain or swelling in one or more of your joints.
• Difficulty Moving a Joint – If the mobility of a joint is significantly impacted, making it difficult to carry out regular actions like walking, climbing stairs, or even holding objects, you should visit a doctor.
• Symptoms That Do Not Improve With Over-the-Counter Medication – If preliminary relief methods like over-the-counter pain relievers or aids like heat pads do not improve your symptoms, you should see a doctor.
• Severe Joint Pains – If you experience severe pain that may wake you up at night or prevent you from doing everyday tasks, it’s time to see a doctor.
• Symptoms Impacting Quality of Life – And finally, if joint discomfort or stiffness starts to take a toll on your lifestyle, interfering with your leisure activities or job, seek medical help.
Stop the Osteoarthritis Progression: Seek Medical Help Now!
As a rule of thumb, never hesitate to contact a healthcare professional if you’re worried about symptoms of osteoarthritis. By Dr Lauren Papa identifying osteoarthritis at an early stage, you can start the appropriate treatment to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and slow the disease’s progression significantly. Reach out to the experts, shed light on your discomfort, and show osteoarthritis that it doesn’t hold the reins—you do.