{"id":7144,"date":"2019-06-06T05:54:51","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T05:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7144"},"modified":"2021-04-12T17:01:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T17:01:25","slug":"15-most-common-causes-of-joint-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-most-common-causes-of-joint-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Most Common Causes of Joint Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are millions of Americans who suffer from some type of joint pain. At times, the pain in the joints can become quite severe <\/a>and end up being debilitating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are suffering from any type of joint pain you should make it a point to find out exactly what is causing the tenderness and achiness in the joints so that you can go to the right therapies and receive the right treatments for what is causing your pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proper diagnosis of your joint pain is critical. There are many reasons why you may be experiencing pain in the joints. If you are suffering from this type of pain, make sure that you discuss it with your doctor and if necessary a specialist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for joint pain will vary based on the cause. Here are 8 of the most common causes of joint pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common type of chronic joint condition is osteoarthritis. There are more than 27 million people within the United States that suffer from this chronic joint condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis <\/a>occurs when the cartilage, which is what is normally protecting the joints, breaks down. This causes the bones to rub right on each other. This rubbing together causes a person to experience swelling and pain in these joints. While osteoarthritis most often affects older people, it can happen to anyone at any age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk for developing osteoarthritis is higher for those who are obese and in those that overuse their joints such as by playing a sport for several years. The hips, knees, neck, lower back, fingers, and toes are the joints that are most often affected by osteoarthritis. The activity can make the symptoms of this ailment worse. Over the counter medications can often help alleviate some of the swellings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Gout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gout <\/a>is a type of arthritis and is a very serious condition that can cause a person to experience a lot of pain and discomfort. While gout is a form of arthritis, it has some unique features that make it different from other types of arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men are more likely to be diagnosed with gout than women. It seems that the primary cause of gout is diet. Gout is the result of uric acids collecting around the joints. This can cause a person to experience an extreme amount of pain and discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High levels of uric acid are referred to as hyperuricemia. However, not everyone who has a high uric acid level will develop gout. Typically, a person who has gout will experience symptoms in waves. These are referred to as gout attacks and leave a person experiencing very severe symptoms for short amounts of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Psoriatic Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roughly 30 percent of people who have the skin condition known as psoriasis <\/a>develop what is called psoriatic arthritis. This condition is characterized by joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. These symptoms are caused by an autoimmune reaction where the immune system will mistakenly attack the joints. This attack of the joints by the immune system results in inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psoriatic arthritis often affects the toe and finger joints near the nails. It also is found in the lower back, ankles, knees, and in the wrists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe and can appear gradually or come on quite suddenly. The joints will typically be most painful right after waking up in the morning or after any period of resting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psoriatic arthritis is considered a chronic condition as it is something that will never go away. Making lifestyle changes and the use of certain medications can help with managing this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Often times a person suffering from psoriatic arthritis will mistake it for rheumatoid arthritis<\/a>. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease as well. This type of arthritis most often affects the smaller joints in the hand or on the wrist and occurs on both sides of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis that will develop bumps. These are called rheumatoid nodules and they appear under the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stiffness and debilitating pain from the inflammation will typically occur in the morning or after periods of rest. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can last all day. With time, rheumatoid arthritis may start to affect other areas of the body. This includes the lungs where scarring may occur and cause shortness of breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who suffer from this autoimmune disease have an increased risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease. Your doctor will be able to provide you with steps to take to help slow down the progression of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Lyme Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lyme disease<\/a> is transmitted by deer ticks. The ticks that spread Lyme disease have increased their geographical spread. One early symptom of Lyme disease is joint pain or stiffness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pain is often intermittent. The joints may become inflamed, be painful, become swollen, and feel warm to the touch. You may find that your joints become stiff and you have a limited range of motion. The pain can move around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At times you may have pain in your neck and other times it may be in your knees. The pain can become quite severe and it may be in more than one of your joints. Often times, the larger joints are involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often a person will attribute pain in their joints to genetics, age, or sports. Lyme disease needs to be added to that list according to statistics as it is estimated that about 80 percent of people who have untreated Lyme disease have pain in their joints and muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Lupus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roughly 90 percent of individuals who suffer from the autoimmune disease known as lupus <\/a>will experience joint pain. Over half of the people who are diagnosed with lupus state that joint pain is one of the first symptoms that they experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being painful, the joints may also become swollen, become stiff, be very tender, and may even feel warm to the touch. Lupus is a disease that affects the body\u2019s extremities such as the toes, fingers, hands, feet, knees, wrists, ankles, and elbows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease is typically symmetric. Similar to psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, the stiffness in the joints is often the worst in the morning hours. However, symptoms of lupus may show up during any part of the day. There currently is not a cure for lupus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are treatments available that can help to prevent flare-ups and reduce the symptoms of this autoimmune disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Hypothyroidism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the thyroid gland is not working properly it can cause a condition referred to as hypothyroidism<\/a>. This is when the thyroid is not as active as it should be. This condition is more common among women, especially women who are over the age of 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family history of this condition, it increases your chances of developing it. People who smoke or who have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are also at a higher risk for developing hypothyroidism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some individuals who suffer from hypothyroidism, stiffness or pain in the joints may occur. It is often recommended that thyroid hormone replacement be used as a treatment for this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen may also help to alleviate some of the joint pain and swelling that is associated with hypothyroidism. Your doctor will be able to determine the best course of action to take in regards to the symptoms that you are experiencing caused by hypothyroidism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Fibromyalgia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fibromyalgia <\/a>is a chronic pain disorder. This disorder affects over 3.7 million individuals in the United States. The condition can present many symptoms including muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, and pain and swelling of the joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with fibromyalgia may experience episodes that come and go. These episodes can be triggered by emotional and physical stress. Women who are between the ages of 40 to 75 are the most likely to be affected by fibromyalgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk of developing this condition increases in individuals who are overweight. A person who has lupus or rheumatoid arthritis is at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia as well. There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are currently three types of medications that have been approved by the FDA as a treatment for the condition. Exercising can also help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Injury
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Injury <\/a>to your joints may result in pain. Minor joint injuries produce symptoms of swelling in the affected area that is easy to manage with anti-inflammatories and OTC painkillers. However, some injuries may result in severe damage to the joint, requiring surgery to repair the affected area.\u00a0
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Most joint injuries require assessment by a medical professional to diagnose the damage. In cases of minor injuries, a visit to your doctor’s office is all it takes to obtain an accurate diagnosis of your condition. However, those people who sustain severe injuries, such as tears in the meniscus of the knee, may require assessment by a qualified orthopedic surgeon. 
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Injuries to your joints can occur for a multitude of reasons. Something as simple as a slip-and-fall may cause damage to your ankles, knees or hips, while automotive accidents may damage the vertebrae in the spine. Regardless of whether you sustain a mild or severe injury to your joints, it’s best if you visit your doctor for a diagnosis.
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10. Hemarthrosis 
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If you sustain a joint injury, it may result in the onset of internal bleeding. Also known as hemarthrosis, internal bleeding<\/a> around and in the joints can produce symptoms of swelling in the affected area, along with emanating heat. This condition can take months or weeks to heal, and the patient may lose function and mobility in the limb as the body repairs the injury.
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Treatment of the affected area is vital to ensure that bleeding does not damage your cartilage in the joint. Cartilage lines the joints, allowing for smooth movement while preventing excessive wear on the tips of the bones in the joint. 
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There are numerous reasons why you may develop hemarthrosis, including trauma and hemophilia. You may develop the condition spontaneously if you are prone to bleeding. Doctors treat the condition using medications to stop the bleeding and prevent blood clots. In most cases, patients make a full recovery, without the need for surgery, or any loss in the range of motion of the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Septic Arthritis
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When bacteria or fungi attack a joint in your body, it produces symptoms of pain and discomfort in the affected area. Septic arthritis <\/a>usually affects the knee, hips, or ankles, and it’s more common for the condition to affect single joints rather than multiple sites in the body.\u00a0
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Patients who are dealing with a case of septic arthritis find that the affected joint starts to swell and produce painful symptoms. The patient may also notice the skin turning a red color, and it may emanate heat as well. Since septic arthritis occurs due to bacterial infection; the patient may also develop a fever as the body attempts to fight off the invading pathogen.  
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Septic arthritis occurs due to bacteria or fungi entering the bloodstream, where it becomes trapped in the joint, producing symptoms. In most cases, doctors can treat the condition with the use of antibiotics to remove the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Viral Arthritis
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Viral arthritis is similar to septic arthritis in terms that it occurs due to an invasive pathogen <\/a>infected the tissues around the joint. The common pathogens responsible for the infection include; hepatitis C and B, as well as Chikungunya virus, alphavirus, and parvovirus.
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Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of many of the diseases that can lead to the development of viral arthritis. Should you plan on visiting high-risk areas for these diseases, its best to ensure that you are inoculated to prevent contracting disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viral arthritis produces symptoms of pain and inflammation in the affected joint, and it may occur in multiple joints at the same time. The condition may also produce symptoms of localized pain in the affected area, along with a mild fever. 
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Viral arthritis is treatable with anti-viral medications administered by your doctor to treat the infection. Most patients make a full recovery from the condition, with no lasting effects or complications related to the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Ankylosing Spondylitis
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AS typically occurs in people over the age of 45-years old. The condition affects the neck and back, producing symptoms of inflammation <\/a>and pain that stiffen up the joints. In some cases, AS may also affect the sacroiliac joints, which connect the pelvis and spine. AS produces symptoms of severe pain, and affected individuals may find it hard to get out of bed in the morning.
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There is no cure for AS, and doctors treat patients using a combination of medications and physical therapy. Similar to rheumatoid arthritis, pain symptoms associated with AS may improve if the patient remains mobile. Stretching in the evening before bed may help to reduce the morning pain and stiffness associated with the condition. 
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Patients with AS may find that their condition worsens when they eat inflammatory foods, like refined carbohydrates. Adjusting your diet to remove these foods, and replacing them with healthy sources of fat and carbs, helps to reduce inflammation and pain symptoms associated with AS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Reactive Arthritis
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This type of arthritis typically occurs as a response to bacterial infection <\/a>of the intestines, urinary tract, or genitalia. The patient may only experience the onset of the condition three to four weeks after the contributing condition heals.\u00a0
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Specific bacterial organisms responsible for the development of these infections include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella, and STIs like chlamydia. RA is a reactive response of the immune system to these pathogens and produces symptoms of stiffness, pain, and swelling in the affected joint. The area’s most at risk for the development of RA include the ankle, and knee, with some cases affecting the hips. 
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Doctors treat patients with reactive arthritis using antibiotics to kill off the invading bacteria. The use of anti-inflammatory will help to curb swelling in the joint, and ice also provides some relief from pain symptoms as well. Most patients make a full recovery from their symptoms, with no lasting damage to the affected joint.
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15. Depression
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Depression <\/a>affects more than 15-million Americans, with symptoms ranging from mild to chronic. Depression is a feeling of low self-worth and angst against your current situation in life. In some cases, depression may become so severe that the person experiences negative emotions throughout the entire day. As a result of these intense negative emotions, the affected individual may have thoughts about taking their life.\u00a0
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Depression has both a psychological and physiological effect on the patient. In some cases, depression may manifest as joint pain in the patient, due to the accumulated stress involves dealing with the disorder. Other common symptoms of depression include sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, which may exacerbate pain symptoms in affected individuals. 
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Doctors treat depression using SSRI medication, (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.) These medications are effective in stabilizing the production of serotonin in the brain, lifting the depression. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet also help to reduce depression in affected individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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