Joint pain – Top Health Today

The reason you are feeling pain in your joints might be as a result of many health conditions. Joint pain is a very common health problem with many possible causes, especially in older women which the pain can be due to menopausal symptoms.

Symptoms associated with Joint pain

Joint pain can be caused by ordinary injury to a particular joint, infection or a symptom of a serious disease. Some of the symptoms associated with most joints pain that occur due to inflammation or infection include:

joint swelling
joint redness
joint warmth
joint tenderness
stiffness or loss of range of motion of the joint
locking of the joint
weakness

Joint pain due to injury may have the following symptoms:

deformity
limping
joint swelling
sharp pain

Possible causes

There are many possible causes of Joint pain, the possible causes of joint pain may also depend on the affected joint, the number of affected joint and the physical condition of the affected joint.

Knee pain

Knees are particularly the most vulnerable among other joints, as it carries the full weight of the body. The knee joint pain is not always a minor joint problem, it may be due to many possible causes including Pseudogout which is a condition is similar to gout, it mostly affects the knee joint but may affect other joint if left untreated.

Some of the most common cause of pain in a single joint and the knee includes:

Arthritis

If the joint pain comes in repeated attacks and the skin in the joint area is red and hot, the cause might be a type of arthritis like Gout or pseudogout.

Damage to the Knee cartilage

If the knee joint pain feels worse when going down or up the stairs, it might be a sign of damage cartilage at the back of the knee cap_ a condition called chondromalacia patellae. The damage is often linked to knee over stressed. Resting the leg can relief the joint pain.

Internal bleeding in the joint

This can be caused by injury to the knee joint such as knee fracture or a torn ligament, this may cause bleeding into the joint spaces_ a condition known as haemarthrosis. Signs include swelling of the knee, warmth, stiffness, and bruising.

Also, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, haemophilia, Osgood-Schlatter’s disease and hip fracture may cause joint pain. It is recommended to see your doctor for proper diagnosis. Also in a very rear occasion, joint pain might by a sign of cancer or hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy.

Treatments

Treatment of Joint pain strongly depend on the cause, if the joint pain is minor and there is not visible skin reaction around the joint, an anti-inflammatory can help, or place an ice pack on the affected joint but if the pain persists, see your doctor for proper evolution.

Fracture to the joint can be operated and other conditions can be treated with a proper drug prescribed by your doctor. Swelling of joint, fracture and bleeding in; needs immediate medical attention.Self-diagnose of joint pain is not advisable.

Be it due to aging or due to a wrong posture, joints are the worst hit. There are 2 or more bones meeting at the joints and connected by several muscles and tendons. Pain in the joints can hinder normal day to day activities. Here are a few tips to keep your joints healthy:

Correct your posture:Whether you are sitting at your workplace or at home, make it a point to maintain a healthy posture. Most instances of joint pains occur due to the wrong posture that causes strain on the muscles and joints.
Exercise your wrist:For those who work with a computer, the wrist is one joint that faces a lot of strain. Continuously using your keyboard and especially working with your mouse can be strenuous for the wrists. Exercise your wrists. Give your wrists a break every now and then. Avoiding strain on the wrists can avoid the risks of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Choose ergonomic furniture:If your work requires you to sit for long hours choose ergonomic furniture. Sitting at your desk for long hours can cause a strain on your back and neck in particular. This is one main reason why many people complain of neck pain. Choose furniture that keeps your computer at a level that would not strain your neck. This would also keep the mouse and keyboard on a platform that wouldn’t strain the wrists.
Ditch the gadgets every now and then:Speaking over the phone for a long time, hunching and ogling at your mobile or tablet screen can all cause strain on the neck as well as arm joints. Do not spend too much time on your gadgets. And, whenever you do use them, remember to exercise and stretch your muscles and joints every now and then.
Choose the right footwear:Footwear that is too tight or uncomfortable can strain the ankles and toe joints. High-heeled footwear is another thing to avoid. Heels higher than 3 inches can cause tremendous strain on the ankle and knee. Women who wear high heels too often are at a higher risk of arthritis.
Mind your calcium intake:Stronger bones are required for stronger joints. Keep a check on your calcium intake. Calcium deficiency is one main reason for weaker bones. Include calcium-rich food items in your diet.
Mind your BMI:Being overweight can cause a lot of added weight and strain on the leg joints especially the knees. Also being disproportionate and having a lot of excess fat in certain areas can strain several joints. Being underweight is bad too. For those who are underweight or anorexic, the muscle mass is too less. They might have weaker joints and might suffer from joint pains. Monitor your BMI and keep it within the normal levels.

Besides doing all these, maintain a balanced diet. Remain physically active. Avoid smoking and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. Do not ignore any persistent joint pains. Get a physical examination and narrow down and treat the underlying cause.

Why do I have pain in my joints?