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As one past the halfway mark, I have come to the conclusion that it is quite an expensive affair to grow old. We have to consume better food, increase our intake of supplements, ensure we are up to date where medical records and tests are concerned and constant monitoring of blood pressure readings etc.

Apart from all that, we have to contend with aches and pains, sprains and what-have-you-nots. For a change, I thought I would focus on one problem that plagues many elderly friends - arthritis.

Check out this very informative link on Diagnosing Arthritis. Do check out the other articles in that site.


During your appointment, your GP should examine you for signs of swelling and a reduced range of joint movement. It's not always easy for the doctor to be sure whether arthritis is present, because no single test can confirm the disease. Doctors usually have to piece together their diagnosis from the separate items of information they obtain from their examination, tests, and most importantly what you tell them.

If there's a possibility of arthritis, you'll be referred for two types of test:

X-rays - these can reveal any damage to the joints caused by arthritis and are most useful when confirming osteoarthritis. In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, an x-ray might reveal no changes or damage.

Blood tests - there are many types, all measuring the levels of different blood cells and chemicals. They can indicate anaemia and how much inflammation there is in the body.

If your doctor works at a large health centre, you may have these tests done there. But it's more likely that you'll be referred to a hospital.

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