The painful condition of joint pain occurs when one or more joints are affected by an underlying cause that makes day-to-day life quite unbearable at times.

Today, a wide range of causes is attached to joint pain, where an array of treatment options can ease some or all of the symptoms.

When advanced, the outcome of joint pain is rather hard to live with, as simple tasks like walking across the room or washing the dishes can create an unbearable moment.

The Symptoms of Joint Pain

Joint pain is quite noticeable when it strikes. An individual usually experiences discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and/or warmth about the joints. When injury is not an underlying cause, the pain can attack one or more joints, which is often a direct result of inflammation or infection.

When persistent pain is a lingering symptom, it is suggested to make an appointment with a doctor. This is also true if this type of pain takes place after suffering a viral infection.

Common Causes of Joint Pain

When it comes to joint pain, the most common causes include bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis, stiffness and pain in the joints takes place. This well-known autoimmune disorder also affects the tissues found about the body, including the heart, lungs, muscles, blood vessels, and skin.

Osteoarthritis is associated with the progression of bone spurs and the reduction of cartilage located at the joint, which is rather painful. When a patient suffers osteoarthritis, cartilage starts to break down generally in the joints located in the neck, knees, lower back, hips, and fingers.

As the cartilage disappears, the bones start to rub against one another, which is why intense pain and limited mobility develops. This particular condition is quite common in adults who are older than 45 years old.

When inflammation strikes the bursae, the result is a condition called bursitis, which is associated with intense joint pain and irritation. The bursae are sacs filled with fluid that provide cushioning for bony structures in the body. Without the bursae, the freedom to move muscles and tendons in relation to the bone is affected.

Additional causes of joint pain include injury (such as a fracture), overuse of joints, sprains and strains, septic arthritis (caused by bacteria), tendonitis, gout (especially when present in the big toe), infectious conditions (measles, flu, rheumatic fever), hepatitis, mumps, rubella (also known as German measles), Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, chickenpox, Lyme disease, osteomyelitis (infection of bone or bone marrow), and autoimmune diseases (such as lupus).

Home Care

As you follow the prescribed remedy your doctor has suggested for your joint pain, there are additional home care measures to consider. When joint pain is caused by a non-arthritis element, it is important to get rest, as well as participate in light exercise when possible.

Additionally, warm baths, stretching exercises, and massage are quite soothing. While anti-inflammatory medication can assist in dealing with the pain and swelling of joints, some people are known to undergo side effects.

Today, there are plenty of more gentle over-the-counter and natural products that an individual may consider as part of their home care regimen.