Many people suffer from joint pain, and it’s easy to take it for granted by thinking of it as just another aspect of everyday life. The only way to treat a painful joint is to find out what’s causing it in the first place. Depending on the cause of your pain, you have various therapy options. It’s easier to deal with the issue if you understand why it’s happening.
Injuries, infections, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism can all cause joint discomfort and aches. However, this can be alleviated by identifying the warning signs of joint pain that could signal a more serious underlying problem. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the sooner you can get help from your doctor.
A lot may be learned about the underlying cause of joint pain by observing the accompanying symptoms. Consider the location of the ache, such as your shoulder, ankle, or knee. You may notice a limp, a locking of the joints, or a reduced range of motion.
In addition, you may notice or experience the following around your joints:
Joint pain affects millions of people worldwide, and it can be severe at times. To lead a happy life free of annoying joint pains and body aches, you must first identify the root source of your problems. Getting a diagnosis is critical, and part of getting a diagnosis is figuring out what the symptoms are.
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Lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition, can cause joint pain to spread from one joint to another. In most cases, you’ll feel pain on one side of your body when you have this condition. The discomfort is usually short-lived, but it might spread throughout your body as you go about your daily activities. If you suspect that you have lupus, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
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Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. Psoriasis, a skin disorder characterized by red, itchy, and scaly spots, is also likely to develop. About 30% of persons with psoriasis are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune illness. This is one reason why you should check for stiffness and swelling when you notice signs of joint pain anywhere in your body.
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Swelling or inflammation, redness, and unusual warmth in your big toe, ankle, and knee joints may be signs of joint pain indicating something more serious. Inflammatory arthritis, known as gout, can cause red, hot, or swollen regions in the joints. People with high uric acid levels in their blood are affected by it.
As uric acid levels rise, crystals begin to develop in the joints. Inflammation and excruciating pain result from your immune system’s attempt to eradicate the crystals. It usually only affects one joint, but the pain and burning are intense and come on suddenly.
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Fibromyalgia can be indicated if your joint pain shifts across your body and produces exhaustion. With fibromyalgia, you may feel both chronic and severe pain and cognitive problems such as memory loss and fogging of thought. Women are more likely than men to be affected by this disease. You’ll feel aches and pains in your muscles and joints.
Fibromyalgia doesn’t have a diagnostic test. Therefore it’s important to notify your doctor about your symptoms.
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Symptoms of a thyroid disorder include weariness, weight gain, cold intolerance, and joint discomfort. Hypothyroidism is a hormonal imbalance caused by an underactive gland.
Additionally, you may encounter the following: muscles weakness, stiffness, a puffy face, dry skin, hoarse voice, and constipation.
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While some conditions improve as a result of physical activity, others deteriorate. Osteoarthritis may be to blame if your pain level rises while moving but subsides when you take a break. The disintegration of cartilage affects your knees, hips, neck, lower back, and fingers.
Osteoarthritis is frequently brought on by old age, but it can also be brought on by trauma. Your joints’ cartilage acts as a buffer between your bones, allowing them to move smoothly over each other. Bones grind together when cartilage goes away, resulting in excruciating discomfort when you move.
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If your joint pain subsides when you start moving around, then you may be diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. Wrists, elbows, hips, and the neck can all be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune illness. Chronic flare-ups occur, and your condition worsens when you relax. In addition to joint pain, you may also notice the following signs and symptoms if you have rheumatoid arthritis- Numbness or tingling in your hands, pain in your muscles, fatigue, weight loss, and slight fever.
Ankylosing spondylitis is another condition that improves with physical activity. The sacroiliac joints at the base of your spine, back, and neck are all affected by this uncommon condition. You’ll experience lower back and hip pain due to the inflammation and fusion of the vertebrae. The morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes may indicate ankylosing spondylitis.
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Septic arthritis, which occurs when a joint becomes infected, can cause fever and joint pain. Joint pain and swelling can be severe in the knee, ankle, wrist, and hip due to this form of arthritis. In most cases, bacteria are to blame; however, fungus or mycobacteria can also play a role.
Warmth, stiffness, and swelling will be experienced in the afflicted joint. In most cases, the infection begins in the bloodstream and then spreads to the joint, but it can also occur due to joint surgery.
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Lyme disease may be the cause of joint discomfort accompanied by a rash. One of the most common symptoms of the tick-borne illness- Lyme disease, is an excruciatingly severe joint ache with an accompanying bull’s eye rash. Only one or two joints are often afflicted, and the number of episodes decreases over time.
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Signs of joint pain have been associated with mental conditions as well. The discomfort in your joints can be caused by depression, so if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek help. You may also notice a shift in your eating habits and have problems focusing.
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If you’re experiencing joint pain, you should see your doctor because it could signify something more serious than you think. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, even if you’ve already been diagnosed.
Based on the diagnosis of your aching joints, you will have a specific treatment plan. Self-care suggestions, medication, physical therapy, and even surgery are among the options that a doctor may suggest.
You can even alleviate the symptoms or signs of joint pain at home with self-care measures such as:
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