Achy Joints

Joint pain is described as 'arthralgia'. A number of diseases and disorders can lead to pain in joints. As two different bones are connected at a joint, even a hair crack in the bone can lead to pain and restricted movement of the joint. Bones, muscles, ligaments, bursae and tendons are all parts of a joint.

An injury or infection in any part of the joint leads to pain and inflammation. Such pain is experienced by all, sometime or the other in their lifetime. Swelling or inflammation of the affected area, stiffness and muscle pain are the first symptoms of joint pain and sore muscles.

Common Causes of Joint Pain

Arthritis: Arthritis, a chronic disease that seriously affects the function of discs and bones, is the main cause of achy joints. The person diagnosed with arthritis experiences swelling, heat, and redness around the affected areas. He/she suffers from joint stiffness (limited / no movement), and mild to severe pain in that area.

There are over hundred types of arthritis. The disease is more common in older people, but these days, it is also noticed in young adults. Inflammation of the lining of a joint results in excruciating pain. Damaged joints cannot be completely cured, but there are various ways to relieve the pain.

Bursitis / Tendonitis: The small sacks called bursae contain synovial fluid, and are responsible for the smooth, frictionless gliding action of bones in the joints during any activity. Inflammation of these sacs is called bursitis.

Excessive or repetitive pressure on a joint may lead to bursitis. Age plays an important role in bursitis. Inflammation of a tendon is known as tendonitis. Inflammatory arthritis, a trauma or strain can lead to tendonitis and pain.

Wear and Tear: Playing various games like tennis, skiing, cricket, or activities like gardening, carpentry which involve repetitive action of a joint, are responsible for the wear and tear of the tendons over the years. This results in reduced elasticity of joints. Damaged tendons cannot take much stress and become prone to tearing.

Diseases: Diseases like anemia, lupus, bone disorders, various types of cancers, certain types of tumors, thyroid problems, fever, diabetes and muscular disorders usually lead to achy joints. Chronic diseases often result in muscle fatigue. High fever, even for a couple of days, makes you weak. Those diagnosed with gout often experience sharp pain in feet and ankle.

Genetics: If you have a medical history of poor joint function, you may suffer from painful joints. You can prevent it by taking precautionary measures. You should consult your doctor to know simple joint pain remedies. Structural deformities (congenital or acquired) can lead to pain in joints.

Exercise: Strain or overexertion is one of the main causes of constant joint pain. A pulled or over strained muscle during exercise, wrong ways of weightlifting, fatigue due to excessive / intensive exercise, not following the warm-up routine, not performing stretching or cooling down exercises before and after the workouts can lead to pain in body joints.

Lack of Exercise: If you follow a sedentary lifestyle, you should perform exercises regularly. A complete lack of exercise eventually leads to joint pain. All joints should be moved properly during the workouts as this helps them keep healthy and active.

Lack of Balanced Diet: Deficiency of the essential nutrients can lead to sore joints and fatigue.

Dehydration: Nearly 70% of your body weight is the weight of the water present in your body. Lack of sufficient fluid in the body can result in health complications. Dehydration leads to severe pain in joints and fatigue too.

Weight Gain: Excessive weight implies excess pressure on joints. It is one of the main causes of achy joints.

Stress: Along with physical stress, mental stress also plays an important role in determining the health of the joints. Stress causes hormone imbalance and adversely affects the health of the joints in the body.

Specific Problems: Hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, fatigue after childbirth, weight gain during pregnancy, excessive menstruation (for example, in premenopausal women), are some of the common causes of joint pain in women.

Weight Loss: Excessive or quick weight loss, attained by following a fad diet may eventually result in achy joints.

Infections: Bacterial, fungal or viral infections can lead to pain in joints and muscles.

Injuries: As mentioned above, bone or muscle injuries can cause painful joints.

Wrong Posture: Wrong posture of your body while working or even during sleep can result in excessive pressure on joints, and can lead to pain and discomfort.

Severe injuries require surgical repair. Mostly, medication and a specially designed diet help lower the symptoms like pain and inflammation. You should consult your physician to know which foods to include and which to avoid in your diet; if you are suffering from constant joint pain.

Sufficient rest, heat and cold therapy also help relieve the pain. Excessive movement and pressure on the joint may worsen the condition. You may take nutritional supplements after consultation with your physician. Since joints offer you mobility, it is necessary to have healthy joints.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.