It could be slow and progressing or it could happen in a split second. It could be localized or limited to a few joints or it could be a general body ache. Either which way, it can be irritating, debilitating and not to mention, painful of course! Joint pain causes are some of the most common reasons why people flock to the orthopedic. This crippling pain restricts movement, causes a sudden change in one’s lifestyle and activities and is mentally depressing for the sufferer.
Symptoms of Joint Pain
Joint pain causes can be determined by analyzing the symptoms a patient is suffering from. Some of the common manifestations are stiffness, soreness, inflammation or swelling, a penetrating pain in the bone, a knocking sensation or noise when a person walks, difficulty in walking or sitting and tiredness.
Common Joint Pain Causes
Arthritis, and its most prevalent variant, Osteoarthritis is one of standard reasons for joint pain. This illness affects the bones in the joint. It results from degeneration of cartilage and bone tissue, thereby causing the bones to rub together. Inflammation, swelling, fatigue and deep pain are the symptoms of this disease. It causes stiffness of joints thereby leading to jerky, awkward movements when the person tries to walk.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis is frequently diagnosed in older people. The natural aging of bones and tissue precipitates this medical condition in most senior citizens. However, today’s lifestyle is impacting the youngsters too and now doctors find a steady increase in the number of arthritic patients among active, young adults.
Yet another reason for joint pain causes could be the autoimmune disorder called SLE or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In this disease, the person has sore and swollen joints. This can escalate into a more virulent illness called Lyme’s disease if it is incorrectly diagnosed or not detected in time.
Lupus mostly affects women and aside from joint pain, a person also exhibits symptoms of fatigue, low grade fever, rash and mouth sores. Usually blood tests can reveal the existence of Lupus.
Joint pains can also be due to presence of malignant or non-malignant tumors, bone cancer or leukemia. These are however, exceptional and life threatening cases.
Common infections like influenza, measles, chicken pox, bacterial infections and mumps also lead to joint pains. They can cause a general body ache which may persist till the infection subsides.
Localized or temporary joint pain can result from fractions, injury, dislocation, sprain or ligament tear which occur due to strenuous physical activity or accidents. Here the joints redden and swell immediately due to fluid collection or severe strain on the muscle. The pain is also more severe though it reduces with the passage of time.
Spondiltis, asceptic necrosis, sickle cell anemia, septic arthritis, synovial sarcoma, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, gout, hypothyroidism and obesity can create joint pain as well.
Joint Pain among Children
In children, joint pain causes cannot be taken casually. It is usually a sign of a serious condition and can have lifelong ramifications if the diagnosis is delayed or inaccurate. It can be in three forms – bone tumor, Celiac disease (children are protein and gluten intolerant) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
While some joint pain causes are curable, some are preventable with a proper lifestyle. Some others can only be treated with medication and cannot be prevented or cured. Whatever be the ailment, one needs to have mental strength and will power to withstand the pain so as not to get anxious and depressed.
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