CHRONIC DISEASES- JOINT PAINS-CAUSES-SYMPTOMS-TREATMENT

CHRONIC DISEASES - JOINT PAINS-CAUSES-SYMPTOMS-TREATMENT 

Joints are the parts of our body where our bones meet and they help in movement of the bones of our skeleton, which include shoulders, hips, elbows, knees etc.,

Joint pain is the discomfort, pain and soreness in any of the body’s joints. Usually joint pain is a common discomfort and may not need to visit a hospital.

However Joint pains can be due to several reasons, like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tendinitis or a strain, sprain or some other injury affecting the ligaments or tendons around the joints. Sometimes, joint pain may also be due to an illness or injury.

It can be in any part of the body but mostly in the knees, shoulders and hips ,and the pain can be mild or severe together with swelling and stiffness in one or more joints. Severe joint pain, particularly caused by conditions like arthritis, needs proper diagnosis and treatment.

CAUSES FOR JOINT PAINS:

Arthritis:

Most of us may have heard that one of the most common causes of joint pains is due to arthritis and the two main forms of arthritis are known as Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis is most common in elders over the age of 40 and progresses slowly and tends to affect mostly used joints like , wrists, hands, hips and knees. Joint pain due to Osteoarthritis causes when breakdown occurs in the cartilage, which works like cushion and as shock absorber in the joints.

The second type of arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women compared to men. It can deform the joints gradually causing pain, inflammation, and fluid build up in the joints.

Other Causes:

Joint pains can also be caused by inflammation of the cushioning pads around joints, lupus, gout and also from some infectious diseases such as mumps, influenza and hepatitis, an injury, inflammation of the tendon, infection of the bones, cancer, osteoporosis, rickets etc.,.

SYMPTOMS OF JOINT PAINS:

If we don’t know the cause of our joint pain and experiencing other unexplained symptoms, we have to visit the doctor. Also if the area around the joint is swollen, red, tender or warm to the touch and persisting pain for three days or more or having fever but no other signs of the flu, we have to verify with the doctor without any delay.

In case we suddenly sustain a serious injury, swelling of the joint suddenly, joint is completely immobile with severe joint pain, we have to check the problem with the specialist at once.

DIAGNOSIS OF JOINT PAINS:

Our doctor will probably perform a physical examination and may also ask us a series of questions about our joint pain in order to narrow down the possible causes. A joint X-ray may also be necessitated to identify arthritis-related joint damage. If our doctor suspects any other cause, we may be advised for a blood test to screen for certain autoimmune disorders also.

TREATMENT:

Home Treatment:

Both OA and RA are considered as chronic conditions and the joint pain associated with arthritis cannot be eliminated totally. However, there are ways to manage the pain:

1. Pain relievers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help in reducing pain, swelling and inflammation.

2. To be physically active and to adhere to a fitness program focusing on moderate exercise.

3. Stretching before exercising helps in maintaining good range of motion in our joints.

4. We should maintain our body weight in a healthy level and it helps in lessening stress on the joints.

5. We can also try anti-inflammatory drugs, massage, warm bath, stretching frequently and taking adequate rest in case the pain is not from arthritis..

Medical Treatment:

Our treatment depends on the severity and cause of the pain. In some cases, our doctor may advise us for drawing out accumulated fluid in the joint area. We may also be suggested for a surgery for replacement of the joint.

Other nonsurgical treatment methods could include lifestyle changes or medications. In the case of RA, our doctor will first address inflammation and then focus on keeping a tight rein on our condition.

COMPLICATIONS OF JOINT PAINS:

Joint pain may also be due to the damage which may occur through normal wear and tear, but it can also be an indication of an infection or potentially debilitating RA.

We should see the doctor if we have any unexplained joint pain, especially if it doesn’t go away on its own after a few days. Early detection and diagnosis helps in treating the underlying cause of our discomfort effectively.
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