Creaky knees, sore and stiff fingers, and hips that sear with fiery discomfort when walking all have one thing in common: they are all joints in pain. Joint pain can be caused by a myriad of problems and conditions. Genetics could play a role. Inflammation, accidents, and a number of diseases could also be triggering the pain felt in the joints. Millions of Americans suffer daily, taking painkillers and prescription medications, rubbing on creams and oils, applying patches - all in hopes of easing the suffering. While most people know what to do to alleviate the pain, many do not know the common causes of joint discomfort. This article will look at some of the most common causes of joint pain.
1 - Arthritis
Arthritis can hit just about any part of the body. Joints seem to be particularly prone to arthritic conditions. While most arthritis is painful, rheumatoid arthritis is progressive and crippling. The common symptoms of arthritis include pain in the joint, swelling, being unable to bend or straighten a joint, and stiffness. People may have one or multiple symptoms. Arthritis pain can be controlled in some patients with medications, exercise, or even dietary changes; however, it cannot be cured with these solutions.
2 - Repetition
Using a joint repeatedly can cause joint pain. People who work production jobs often suffer from joint pain due to using the same joints over-and-over for hours on end. For instance, sewers may experience hand, wrist, and finger soreness from holding fabrics and doing the same motions again-and-again. Those who run or jog may find that their knees ache from the repetitive exertion. Ankles may swell and become tender. Even toes can suffer pain in the joints from excessive repetitions.
3 - Injury
Injuries are a main player in the list of causes for joint pain. Sports injuries top that list. Jumping, landing the wrong way, falling - any of these could send shock waves through joints. When landing wrong, a knee or wrist could be injured. Tendons could be ripped. The ligaments could be severed. Cartilage could be torn. While the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage may be repaired, the joint could still suffer. Instability and pain could result from the injury. Arthritis may set up in the joint. When cartilage is compromised a bone-on-bone situation may make future surgeries necessary.
4 - Lupus
Affecting the outer reaches of the body, such as the elbows, toes, feet, ankles and wrists, Lupus can flare up at any time. People who have Lupus experience severe joint tenderness. As with arthritis, Lupus can make joints swell and stiffen. Sufferers may feel that their joints are warm when they touch them. This very painful disease seems to intensify in the mornings or after a person has rested. Motion seems to help lessen the severity. Although there is no cure at the moment, there are medications that can help with the pain.
5 - Fibromyalgia
This phantom-like disease is hard to diagnose. The symptoms can mock those of arthritis and other joint conditions. However, fibromyalgia attacks the whole body, not just the joints. People may experience fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, and swelling of the joints. Fibromyalgia 'attacks' have certain triggers. Stress and overexertion can bring on an episode. There are also other factors that increase the likelihood of suffering with fibromyalgia. Middle-age women and overweight people are more likely to develop this condition. Exercise and medication may be able to lessen the pain from these attacks.