Common Causes and Treatments For Painful Joints
It seems that adults tend to resist going to the doctor when they are ill. Whether they are just too busy to make the time or they are nervous about a possible diagnosis, they are much more likely to suffer pain than seek help. When you have painful joints, this can really interfere with normal life and activity. If you understand what the possible causes are and what treatments are common, you may feel comfortable enough to seek the help and relief that can improve your life.
The medical terms for painful joints is Arthralgia. This translates to literally mean "joint pain". While arthritis is a form of Arthralgia, all Arthralgia isn't arthritis. This is an important distinction to understand. Most arthritis is caused when the bones and cartilage breaks down because of dryness and lack of lubrication.
Arthritic patients can have symptoms such as redness, swelling, joint warmth and stiffness. To treat arthritis, your doctor will likely recommend an anti-inflammatory drug. Keeping the area active and limber will also be part of the treatment plan, as movement is good for sore and stiff joints and increases mobility. Some doctors have also seen good results with dietary supplements and massage, so this is another possible therapy.
Joint pain is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms. This is a good indication that you are suffering from something that is not associated with arthritis. If you find yourself tired, feverish or losing weight, in addition to painful joints, it's likely that you are suffering from some sort of viral or bacterial infection. In this instance, a quick culture should reveal the source of your problem. The treatment will address the underlying cause of your joint pain and the problem should go away when the infection is cleared up.
One fo the most difficult types of painful joints to treat is the ones that are caused by an auto-immune disease. This joint pain is difficult to diagnose and treat. Auto-immune disorders are systemic, unpredictable and can mimic dozens of others issues. The underlying problem is the body not recognizing normal systems and attacking them as a foreign substance.
This can present is many different ways, including painful joints. The same auto-immune disorder may present differently in different patients. Because of this, if your doctor suspects this root cause, he will likely treat the symptoms until a more thorough diagnosis can be made and more specific treatment given. This may include topical or internal steroids or physical therapy to ensure that a full range of motion is maintained.
There are also plenty of other things that can lead to painful joints. Some other common causes include prior injury to the affected area, flu, hepatitis, a viral infection such as measles, gout, bone disorders and even some types of cancer. The most important thing to keep in mind is to not assume the worst.
Most types of joint pain have common causes that are treated with basic therapies and medications. Most likely, if you see your doctor, he will put your mind at ease and give you actionable things to do to reduce the pain.
