Are you suffering from aching joints and wondering what you can do about it?
Many people over the age of 60 suffer from chronic joint pain. Many of them say their pain is bad enough to limit their ability to do everyday things. Chronic pain is not something to be taken lightly.
It can cause emotional and mental distress on top of physical pain. Even if your pain is not severe yet, understanding the causes and knowing when to see a doctor is vital to keeping your joints healthy. The human body contains various types of joints, including hinge joints, pivot joints, ball-and-socket joints, saddle joints, and gliding joints, each of which allows for different degrees of movement.
Here is our guide to understanding your pain, its causes, and what you can do about it. Read along to learn more!
Infection
It can cause swelling and pain in the area. They are caused by bacteria or viruses that enter the body and set up an inflammatory response. Bacterial diseases, such as staph infections, are usually treated with antibiotics.
Viral infections, such as the flu, may rest, fluids, and antiviral medications. In some cases, over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, can help relieve pain associated with infection.
Surgery is necessary in extreme cases to remove infected fluid from the joint and reduce swelling. Prevention of infection is the best way to avoid the pain associated with infection, through proper hygiene and preventing entry of germs into the body.
Injury
Joint injuries occur when you put too much strain on them, causing the ligaments and muscles around them to become damaged. Symptoms of a joint injury range from swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and pain. To treat this, the RICE method is the key, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Resting is important to allow the injury to heal and to reduce pressure on the joint. Applying a cold compress or ice to the affected area also helps to reduce pain and swelling. Compressing the joint with a bandage or brace can help to immobilize the affected area and reduce discomfort.
Finally, elevating the affected area can help to reduce swelling. The most important part of treating painful knees is to prevent further injury by addressing the underlying cause of the pain.
Inflammation
It is the immune system’s response when the body is trying to repair or protect itself from injury, infection, or stress. The signs are swelling, redness, heat, and pain. When the inflammatory response goes unchecked, swelling recurs and can lay the foundation for joint pain.
Treatments should therefore focus on reducing inflammation. Medications such as ibuprofen are available over-the-counter and can help reduce swelling in the joints while allowing the body to rest. Rest, gentle stretching, and heat therapy can also help reduce pain caused by inflammation.
Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric have also proven to be helpful in reducing it. It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight, as extra body weight can put a strain on the joints and increase inflammation.
Lack of Exercise
This is because it leads to the wasting away of muscle around joints, leading to a decrease in strength and flexibility supporting the joint. Without adequate muscle support, the joint is more strained and stressed, resulting in aching, pain, and inflammation. The best prevention for this is to exercise daily so that muscles can stay strong and help support the joint.
Activities such as walking and swimming are ideal exercises to help keep your body working and support your joints. Additionally, gentle stretching and Tai Chi can help improve joint mobility.
Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory foods can also help keep joints healthy. Whenever you feel that your joints are overexerted, rest and ice the area to reduce inflammation.
Gout
It occurs when there is too much uric acid, or urate, in the blood. Urate crystals form in the joints and cause pain. Symptoms include redness and swelling of the affected joint, severe pain and tenderness, joint stiffness, and warmth or heat near the affected joint.
They are treated with medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, colchicines, and probenecid. It is also helpful to reduce or avoid foods that can trigger an attack, such as those high in purines, like organ meats, sardines, anchovies, and mackerel. A healthy lifestyle, including exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, can also reduce the risk of gout.
Stress
Stress has the ability to weaken the body’s ability to heal, making joints more vulnerable to injury and pain. When people are under a lot of stress, the immune system weakens, leaving the joints vulnerable to injury and strain. The hormone cortisol may also be a factor in swollen joints.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that can cause inflammation in the body and make joints more vulnerable to injury. The best way to treat aching joints caused by stress is to take steps to reduce stress levels. This may include getting regular exercise, connecting with others, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption, and getting adequate sleep.
You can also use a massage recliner chair for better relaxation. Additionally, speaking to a therapist or counselor can help you identify and reduce sources of stress, which can reduce pain. It is important to note that if pain persists, you should speak to your doctor.
Relieve Your Aching Joints Today!
Joint pain can be debilitating and dangerous if it goes untreated. Understanding the causes of aching joints and the various treatment options is key to managing the condition and maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. So if you experience joint pain, talk to a medical professional and make sure you’re getting the help you deserve to take back your life.
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