5 Common Arthritis Symptoms

If you are aged between 40 and 60, then it is likely your body will start showing arthritic symptoms. Maybe nodules on your fingers, or stiff knees and hips? A very common issue for all of us, arthritis causes pain and inflammation when the cartilage around the joint breaks down, eventually making it difficult to move.

In This Article

• What Are the 5 Most Common Symptoms?
• The 3 Main Types of Arthritis
• Managing Your Symptoms
• When to See a Doctor
• Where Turmeric Australia Fits In
• FAQs
• Our Simple Recommendation
• References

What Are the 5 Most Common Symptoms?

1. Pain

The first sign of arthritis is undoubtedly pain, often when you have used a particular joint a lot. It will start with a dull ache in the joint, along with a burning sensation, and the older you get, the more chronic the pain becomes. As the cartilage breaks down, the patient has bone grinding on bone, hence the need for joint replacement surgery, whereby an orthopaedic prosthesis replaces the dysfunctional joint. Arthritis pain can be worse at night as the body releases less cortisol, which in turn raises inflammation-related pain. Cortisol is a hormone that helps control blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Pain can come and go, but it will remain for your lifetime. You may also experience numbness and tingling in the initial stages of arthritis forming.

Track your pain: note when it happens, which joints are affected and what makes it better or worse. Pain that builds with activity and eases with rest is more typical of osteoarthritis. Pain that is worst in the morning or after rest is more typical of inflammatory arthritis such as RA. A simple pain diary gives your GP valuable information. Mention any numbness or tingling too, as it can also point to nerve-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Stiffness

The spongy cushion of cartilage that protects the ends of your bones dries out as you age. Your body also makes less synovial fluid, the thick liquid lubricant that keeps your joints moving smoothly. Loss of synovial fluid means a decrease in cartilage thickness. Synovial fluid needs movement to keep your joints loose, so when you do not move for several hours, you stiffen and do not move freely. Excess body weight puts stress on joints, especially your knees. Be mindful of your BMI, and keep moving to avoid getting stiff. Stretching is so important to alleviate arthritis — range of motion exercises are best. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and symptoms will worsen with age.

Two useful facts: morning stiffness from osteoarthritis usually eases within 30 minutes of moving, while stiffness lasting over an hour is more typical of inflammatory arthritis and worth raising with your GP. And weight matters more than most people realise — in a study of adults with knee osteoarthritis, every 1 kg of weight lost reduced the load on the knee by around 4 kg with each step. For more practical tips, see What Causes Stiffness and Swelling in Joints on our sister site, Nature's Help.

3. Swelling

In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the joint lining, called the synovial membrane, and the joint swells and becomes inflamed. Over time, this continued swelling weakens your ligaments too and can lead to deformities. When hard, swollen nodules occur on the finger joints, this is a permanent condition called Heberden's nodes. Swollen joints are a sign that your arthritis is worsening. Areas that may be affected include your hands, wrists, knees, feet, ankles, hips, elbows, neck or shoulders. If the swelling is severe, your GP might recommend injecting an anti-inflammatory medication called hydrocortisone into the joint. For flare-ups, cold and hot compresses for about 20 minutes can be useful, as cold will reduce swelling and heat will relax the muscles and joints. Try keeping a diary of the foods you eat to see if any particular foods aggravate the swelling. A flare-up can last up to a week.

Good to know: Heberden's nodes are bony lumps most closely linked with osteoarthritis of the hands, rather than rheumatoid arthritis. As a general guide, use cold on a hot, swollen joint during a flare, and heat on a stiff, aching joint — always wrapped, never directly on bare skin.

4. Joint Redness

A common condition with rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation gives the skin a red appearance. This is because the inflammation causes the blood vessels surrounding the joint to widen. Your skin may even be warm to the touch. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis repeatedly affect the skin.

Psoriatic arthritis in particular often comes with skin and nail changes, such as scaly patches of psoriasis, pitted or thickened nails, or a whole finger or toe swelling up like a sausage. If you have psoriasis and start noticing joint symptoms, let your GP know early.

5. Decreased Range of Motion

When you bounce out of bed in the morning and your legs just feel stiff and slow to move, this is an early sign of arthritis. You may have no pain, but that decreased range of motion (the distance joints can move in specified directions) is a tell-tale sign. The worst thing you can do is avoid physical activity. Gentle stretches are highly recommended to keep your joints moving, and stay away from high-impact activity such as jogging. Walking is best. I have arthritis in my knees, so my tip is to sit on a bar stool and swing your legs for 10 minutes each day, just to keep your knees supple. Swelling, pain and stiffness all affect your joint mobility.

Easy range of motion moves to try daily: slow ankle circles, gentle shoulder rolls, making and releasing a fist, and seated knee straightening. Work up to around 150 minutes of low-impact activity a week, such as walking, swimming or tai chi. A physiotherapist can tailor a program to your specific joints.

There Are 3 Main Types of Arthritis

1. The most common is osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage at the end of each bone to break down. The cartilage wears away over the years and then the bones scrape against each other, resulting in a stiff and painful joint. It is more common in women than men.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, whereby the immune system attacks the joint linings. Usually, it starts in the hands and feet and can affect adults of any age. RA causes constant pain and stiffness.
3. Psoriatic arthritis generally affects people with psoriasis, and blends the skin disorder with joint inflammation.

These are the three types most people talk about, but there are more than 100 forms of arthritis, including gout, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus. An accurate diagnosis from your GP matters, because the right management approach depends on the type.

Managing Your Symptoms

The main goal is to reduce symptoms to improve your quality of life. Medication, natural supplements, therapies and patient support are all critical to achieving this. Naturally, Turmeric Australia recommends using turmeric due to its age-old anti-inflammatory properties. Mixed results from studies show that collagen is also beneficial. But it is up to you to research and find the best product to suit your needs. No two people have the same body or the same solution.

If you're curious about collagen, read Collagen and Joint Pain: How Collagen Supports Stronger Joints and Better Mobility on Nature's Help. And if you're in the 40-plus age group this article focuses on, Moringa for Women Over 40 on Moringa Leaf covers another nutrient-dense option.

Whatever you choose, take turmeric with black pepper and a meal containing some fat. Curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own, and piperine in black pepper increased its bioavailability by around 2,000% in a human study.

When to See a Doctor

Book an appointment with your GP if you notice:

• Joint pain, stiffness or swelling that lasts more than a few weeks.
• Morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour.
• The same joints affected on both sides of your body.
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in your hands or feet.
• Joint symptoms together with psoriasis, fatigue or feeling generally unwell.

Early diagnosis matters, particularly for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, where starting treatment early can help protect joints from long-term damage.

Where Turmeric Australia Fits In

Turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to support joint health and mobility. Our Organic Turmeric Capsules make it easy to take turmeric consistently every day, alongside your GP's advice, regular movement and a healthy weight. Simply take them with a meal.

Shop Organic Turmeric Capsules →

FAQs

What are the 5 most common symptoms of arthritis?

The 5 most common arthritis symptoms are joint pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and a decreased range of motion. They often develop gradually and can come and go.

At what age does arthritis usually start?

Osteoarthritis most often appears from middle age onwards, commonly from the 40s. Rheumatoid arthritis can start at any age, including in young adults.

Why is arthritis pain worse at night?

Cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate inflammation, is naturally lower at night. Inactivity while lying still can also increase stiffness, making joints feel worse overnight and first thing in the morning.

How long does an arthritis flare-up last?

Flare-ups vary, but many last from a few days up to about a week. See your GP if a flare lasts longer, keeps recurring or is severe.

What exercise is best for arthritis?

Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, tai chi and gentle range of motion stretches are best. Aim to build up to around 150 minutes a week, and ask a physiotherapist for a tailored program.

Can losing weight help arthritis symptoms?

Yes. Excess weight increases stress on weight-bearing joints. Research found that every 1 kg of weight lost reduced the load on the knee by around 4 kg with each step.

Can turmeric help with arthritis symptoms?

Turmeric has a long history of traditional use for joint health, and its key compound curcumin has been widely studied. Take it with black pepper and a meal for better absorption, and check with your doctor if you take other medication.

 

Our Simple Recommendation

Don't wait for symptoms to become severe. Keep moving every day with gentle stretches and low-impact exercise, work towards a healthy weight, use cold for swelling and heat for stiffness, and keep a simple symptom diary to share with your GP. Add turmeric to your daily routine as part of a joint-friendly lifestyle.

Shop Organic Turmeric Capsules →

References

• Arthritis Australia. Types of Arthritis.
• Healthdirect Australia. Arthritis.
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteoarthritis.
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Messier SP, et al. (2005). Weight loss reduces knee-joint loads in overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism.
• Shoba G, et al. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica.
• Hewlings SJ & Kalman DS (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods.

---

About the Author: This article was written by Kirsty Strowger, Founder of Turmeric Australia and Nature's Help — two of Australia's most trusted natural health e-commerce brands. With over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, Kirsty has become a recognised authority in natural health education, product development, and women's wellness. For more than a decade, Kirsty has been writing evidence-based articles that empower Australians to take charge of their health naturally. Her passion for creating high-quality, science-backed supplements has helped thousands of Australians improve their wellbeing — the natural way.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Arthritis symptoms can overlap with other conditions, so always see your GP for a proper diagnosis. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without medical advice. Turmeric and collagen supplements may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners. If a joint suddenly becomes hot, swollen and very painful, especially with a fever, seek urgent medical attention.