Joint injuries, age, joint diseases or adjacent tissues can cause pain in joints. Joint pain is also known as arthralgia and it is commonly seen in elder people. Pain can range from moderate to severe depending on the degree of joint damaged. Joint pain can be seen in one joint or in many or multiple joints. Joint pain may last from few weeks to several months depending on the damage and type of pain. In some people joint pain can be caused due to infections or tumors in joints. Joint pain can be seen in different areas like hips, knees, ankles, toes, shoulders and neck. Problems with ligaments, cartilage and bones within joints also cause joint pains.
Symptoms of Joint Pains :
Some most common symptoms of joint pains are
- Joint redness
- Swelling of joints
- Tenderness
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Loss of function of the joints
Causes of Joint Pain :
Joint pain can be caused due to several reasons, some common causes of joint pains are
- Injuries
- Age
- Family history
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Tumors or bone cancer
- Sarcoidosis
- Lyme disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Inflammation of joint lining
- Bleeding into the joint space due to injury
- Hypothyroidism
- Tendinitis
- Infections due to virus
- Strains and sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
One can avoid joint pains by maintaining weight, wearing proper fit shoes, exercises, by eating healthy diet and by maintaining proper posture. With proper care and treatment individuals can reduce the joint pain. By following healthy tips like doing yoga, meditation, massage, hot and cold compresses, physical therapy and by avoiding repetitive joint moments one can lead happy and painless life. Staying hydrated, avoiding stress, proper sleep and healthy diet also plays a crucial role in controlling the pain in joints.
Joint pain increases with change in weather, when weather turns cool people experience increase in the pain in joints. People with arthritis sense rise in pain in cold weather. Increase in barometric pressure or atmospheric pressure affects joint pain. When the weather is hot the patients or individuals with joint pains get some relief from pain. High humidity and low barometric pressure increases pain or discomfort in joints. Strangely many people believe that pain in knee or knuckle can predict rain.
Our joints contains baro receptors, these are the sensors located in vessels. These baro receptors react to atmospheric changes. People suffering from joint pains can forecast a storm due to baro receptors. Hot and cold therapy plays an important role in controlling joint pains. Warm showers in the morning also help to relieve stiffness in joints and gives relief. Wrapping the joints decreases swelling and pain. Fish is very good for joints, omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements helps to get relief from joint pains as they contain anti inflammatory properties. Exercising in water like swimming promotes flexibility, improves physical functioning and reduces joint pain.
