About Pain | Joint Pain
The human body has over 200 joints. Joints are vital for proper movement. When these important parts of the body become injured or damaged, life can become difficult. Many people suffer from joint pain daily. By simply doing ordinary everyday activities, a twist or turn of the affected joint can result in sudden pain. Some people with joint disorders suffer continuously with joint pain from constant mild aching to severe discomfort. Although many of the conditions that cause joint pain often cannot be cured, managing pain is possible.
Causes and Symptoms of Joint Pain
Joint pain often results from chronic degenerative disorders such as arthritis, but can also occur from injury, infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Pain as well as swelling, redness, warmth and tenderness are often the symptoms of joint conditions. Depending on the medical condition causing the joint pain, one joint can be affected or several joint can be affected. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a common reason for joint pain in the elderly. This type of arthritis causes the cartilage of the joint to breakdown. When this occurs, the bones can rub against each other. This can cause stiffness, loss of movement of the joint and pain. Individuals with arthritis can find relief by seeing their doctor so they can provide a treatment plan that includes a pain reliever. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that caused the lining of the joints to become inflamed. This can lead to chronic pain and the inability to use the joint. Pain most often affects the joints of the knees, elbows, hands and wrists. Although pain can be mild to severe, there are ways to relieve chronic pain.
When to See a Doctor
Depending on the cause of the joint pain, it sometimes can be relieved by resting the joint, taking warm baths, massaging and stretching the joint. When joint pain is persistent and is not relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers and other home treatments, it is important to have a physician examine the joint for proper diagnoses and treatment. The examination may include x-rays and blood tests to properly diagnose the cause of the pain. Once the reason of the joint pain is found, medications can be prescribed to provide pain-free living. Along with medication, the doctor may recommend joint exercises to help keep the joints mobile.