Joint pain

Articular pain is the most painful manifestation of the ailments of the musculoskeletal system. According to the most modest statistics, about 30% of the total population of the planet suffers from this pathology.

Of particular relevance to the disease joints are acquired with an increase in life expectancy: in accordance with epidemiological studies, joint pathology in citizens over 40 years old is found in 50% of cases, and after 70 years - in 90% of the total population. In this regard, the World Health Organization declared the first decade of the 21st century a decade of struggle with the ailments of the musculoskeletal system. If the measures are not taken in a timely manner, the joint pain becomes daily torture for a person, when even elementary movements are made with difficulty, and there can be no talk about the activity of a way of life.

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Diseases that cause articular pain

In order to correctly understand the signals that the body sends and not to suffer serious consequences, it is first of all necessary to understand in detail the causes of the articular pain - only then it is possible to perform the prescribed correct course of treatment and thus avoid a variety of complications.

The joint is a movable part of the limb, where 2 bones meet. The latter hold in place the ligaments (strong tissue bundles) and move the muscles and tendons (the latter attach the muscle to the bone). Pain sensations in any of these parts are characterized as joint pain.

Arthritis is an inflammatory process in one or more joints or in their tendons and ligaments (in connective tissue). The presence of inflammation is indicated by the signs: puffiness of the joint, limited movement, fever, pain and redness. More than 100 pathological conditions, for example, infections and changes in blood composition, contribute to the appearance of arthritis.

If only one joint is affected, it is a monoarthritis, 2-3 joints is oligoarthritis, more than three - polyarthritis. Articular pain with a bacterial injury is not associated with physical exertion: it arises even if a person is physically at rest and is significantly aggravated by movement. This causes swelling and redness of the skin around the joint, stiffness - especially in the morning, changes in shape and shape of the joint, caused by inflammation in the joint tissues, a violation of the bone-cartilage surface of the joint and the accumulation of fluid in its cavity. There are also general symptoms, for example, general weakness, fatigue, fever, headache, irritability.

Arthritis is a universal term that is used to refer to inflammation of the joints - but, this is not a diagnosis. As of today, scientists identify about 100 different types of arthritis. Correctly defined diagnosis is the key to proper treatment, so the question of diagnosis is the highest degree of importance.

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Causes of joint pain

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Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, the most common form of arthritis. With age, the former elastic cartilage, which must protect the joints from all kinds of injuries and injuries, becomes hard, more vulnerable, and loses its elasticity. There is an erasure of the cartilage, the tendons and ligaments are stretched, which provokes articular pain. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, often joints of the fingers, hips, knees and spine. Symptoms of osteoarthritis - joint pain, cones from bone tissue on the joints of the fingers. Pain pain relievers, food supplements (chondroitin, aminoglucose) can alleviate pain. You may need to make some kind of adjustment to the lifestyle of a person, for example, lose weight, which will help reduce the burden on the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This type of arthritis differs significantly from joints of a degenerative nature. The inflammatory process in the joints takes place in both parts of the body - this is the symmetry that provides significant help in diagnosing this type of disease. Symptomatic of rheumatoid arthritis also includes joint pain, immobility, the appearance of weakness in the joints. A number of scientists believe that bacteria and viruses can influence the immune system, forcing it to attack the joints and other organs. Rheumatoid arthritis is a rather dangerous disease that can provoke a fatal outcome. The key to successful treatment of this ailment is in early diagnosis, as well as intensive care. These two components can nullify the threat of disability and prolong life.

Temporal arteritis and rheumatic polymyalgia

Temporal arteritis and rheumatic polymyalgia are ailments of an inflammatory nature that are often observed in one "set". Rheumatic polymyalgia affects large joints, for example, humeral and femoral. Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory process in the blood vessels of the head, in particular, in the vessels of the eyes. The appearance of both ailments provokes an attack of the immune system, aimed at healthy tissues. Articular pain and immobility in the femoral and shoulder joints, high fever, weight loss, weakness are symptoms of rheumatic polymyalgia. Often the only symptom is excessive weakness, which does not allow a person to rise from a chair or raise his hand to his face. The most common symptom of temporal arteritis is a headache of an acute nature. Untimely treatment of temporal arteritis threatens irreversible blindness, an insult that goes into ischemic attacks. The cause of the development of these diseases has not yet been identified, but experts have found that they are often observed in people born in Scandinavia and the Nordic countries. The most important thing is the correct diagnosis, since the course of treatment is unambiguous (steroid, prednisone). Most people do not know about this type of arthritis, which once again speaks about the need to get a doctor's advice.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that accompanies joint pain and the sensitivity of a large number of points on the body, and in addition insomnia and weakness. The cause of the development of this ailment can not be determined until now, but it has absolutely nothing to do with injuries of muscles, joints and nerves. According to one theory, the ailment is associated with the excessive sensitivity of the nerve cells of both the brain and spinal cord. In accordance with another theory, fibromyalgia can provoke an imbalance of chemicals in the body, which are responsible for perception of pain and mood. Imbalance is probably the cause of insomnia, weakness, decreased activity, sensitivity and joint pain. Fibromyalgia does not heal completely. The main goal of the treatment is to overcome such symptoms as pain, weakness, depression, decreased activity and others, which prevent patients from managing their habitual way of life. To improve the quality of sleep, the doctor prescribes small doses of antidepressant for reception just before bedtime. Other types of sleeping pills do not have a significant effect in fibromyalgia. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen) relieve joint pain, but they can be used for a long time only under the supervision of a specialist.

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Depression

An unimportant mood is not the only symptom of depression. Symptoms can be expressed physically, for example, an incomprehensible joint pain. The most common symptoms of depression are often headache, abdominal and back pain. Such physical symptoms can be triggered by depression and be much longer than symptoms of an emotional nature. Some doctors believe that this kind of symptoms indicate the presence of fibromyalgia. The fact is that depression and fibromyalgia clearly have a connection. Depression increases the threshold of a person's susceptibility to pain. It is very important for a person to apply for qualified help in a timely manner. First of all, you need to contact a family doctor who will conduct an analysis of the symptoms and tell you what specific specialist should be treated.

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