Causes Of Joint Pain: Are you suffering from achy joint pain disturbing your daily activities, and you have no idea why it is happening to you? Well, joint pain is the worst, and whether you over-exerted yourself in playing sports; or have been working extravagantly, there could be many reasons why your joints are achy, and knowing the cause of pain could help you prevent and cure it.
The 12 most common causes of joint pain you Should know. Let’s dive into it.
1. You are simply getting older
Getting older plays a vital role in the weakening of joints which is the Causes Of Joint Pain. It becomes difficult for weight-bearing joints to function correctly (hip and knee joints) as you get older. According to Michael B. Gerhardt, M.D., a certified orthopedic surgeon, age is the primary factor that causes joint pain. As you age, the lubricating fluid inside your joints decreases; they become; stiff and less flexible. Though aging and the body changes that come with it are inevitable, you could delay them by eating a healthy diet and regular exercise.
2. You may have gout
If you have swelling and red toes; that is painful to touch, it might be due to gout. In this condition, uric acid accumulates in the joints, leading to swollen, inflamed, and achy joints. It mainly affects the joints of the toes, fingers, ankles, and knees. Accumulating uric acid is due to an over-intake of protein in your diet and less fluid consumption. High protein consumption produces uric acid in the body, which our body fails to excrete, and, as a result, accumulation occurs. Adding Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory compounds to your diet could reduce the symptoms of the disease.
3. It could be a sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain and affects nearly 58.5 million in the United States. It is an inflammatory, degenerative disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints; and causes inflammation, resulting in enormous joint pain. In this condition, a person can’t move his affected joint quickly and has difficulty moving it. Proper care and treatment at the early stage of arthritis, maintaining a healthy weight, physiotherapy sessions, rest, fish oil, and consuming vitamins and mineral-rich foods could help reduce pain.
4. You are dealing with bursitis
If you are confused about why your joints are achy, bursitis could be the reason. Bursitis is the soreness of the bursa, a small sac between the bones and tendons that provides lubrication for friction. If a person is diagnosed with bursitis, it could be due to the repetitive action of the joint. Athletes, carpenters, musicians, and other professions requiring the same kinds of movements; every day are at high risk of bursitis. It mainly occurs in the shoulder, hip, and elbow joints. One should rest well, exercise lightly, and take medication for treatment.
5. Tendinitis could be the reason
Tendinitis, also called tendonitis, commonly affects the elbow, shoulders, and hips. This painful condition occurs due to repetitive movement of the joints. Connective tissues between the tendons get inflamed and cause sharp pain and stiffness. Placing the ice packs on the affected area or giving rest to the injured joints could reduce the severity of the pain. Without proper care, the condition could get worst and result in tendon rupture, requiring immediate surgery.
6. An old sports injury is causing the problem
Again Injuries, especially sports injuries, are the common cause of joint pains. Improper techniques and wrong posture result in physical injuries that further lead to joint pain. Although mild wounds heal promptly, severe injuries take a lot of time. Strains and sprains are prevalent causes of joint pain. People who like to play sports or any other physical activity should take proper preventive measures. Adequate training and warm-up before physical activity can help prevent strain.
7. You could have Bone Cancer
Types of cancer; that cause tumor formation near or in a joint, such as bone cancer, could also cause dreadful pain in the joints. One should seek help from a doctor for proper medication in this condition. Early detection of the tumor could save you from the worst. Timely, surgical cancer removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are potential treatments. People with a family history of the disease, bone marrow transplant, and prior chemotherapy treatment are at high risk of developing bone cancer.
8. It could be due to Infectious diseases
This type of joint pain is also known as septic arthritis. Bacteria gets into the joints and causes cartilage deterioration and inflammation, causing severe pain in one or more joints, swelling, and loss of movement. Draining infected synovial fluid from the joint and using powerful antibiotics could reduce the damage. According to a study published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Acute septic arthritis is an emergency, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing any permanent complications.
Click here also know about bone pain prevention tips
9. It could be a symptom of lupus
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which your defense system (immune system) starts attacking your body. Some autoimmune diseases severely affect the joints, and one of them is lupus. It mainly affects the joints of the wrist, hands, fingers, and knee. Joints become inflamed, swollen, stiff, and warm. The pain usually goes away with the treatment of inflammation. Corticosteroid therapy for inflammation reduction is often beneficial, but it has some side effects, and proper dietary management is needed to overcome the loss of nutrients like calcium and zinc.
10. Fibromyalgia
According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia causes pain all over the body, and joint pain is one of the early symptoms of the disease. An injury, stress, illness, or family history can increase fibromyalgia risk. There is no proper cure or permanent treatment for the disorders. Still, you could reduce the pain by taking advised medications, reducing stress, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and doing regular physical activity.
11. Thyroid issues could be an underlying problem
Hypothyroidism is one of the potential causes of joint pain. In this condition, thyroid glands (a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck) fail to produce enough thyroid hormones per your body’s requirements. Fewer thyroid hormone production can lead to joint pain as they are responsible for lubricating the joints and keeping them healthy. Thyroid issues are most common in women around age 60. To prevent these issues, one should take proper medications, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and take supplements enriched with iodine.
12. Gonorrhea could be to blame
Lastly, gonorrhea is also a possible cause of joint pain. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Although it is STD, it doesn’t only affect the genitals but also creates havoc in joints. A condition known as gonococcal arthritis occurs due to severe gonorrhea infection. It is the inflammation of joints, resulting in severe pain and difficulty in movement. If left untreated, it could lead to chronic joint pain. The treatment involves draining fluid out of the joints and using antibiotics.
These possible joint pain causes can help you find the root cause of your suffering. Moreover, it is essential to look after other factors like less physical activity, obesity, and a nutrient-deficient diet that can weaken your joints and increase your risk of developing a severe condition. It is essential to consult with a specialized orthopedic for timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
