Joint pain: signs of disease, causes, treatment.

Millions of people around the world experience joint pain.According to official data from the World Health Organization, more than 80% of the population suffers from joint diseases.Ecological deterioration, sedentary lifestyle, the emergence of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - there are many reasons why problems begin.

causes of pain

Joints are moving parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones of the musculoskeletal system.Without them, it is impossible to perform the most important functions of the body: flexion, straightening, rotation, support and movement.

The appearance of pain is a direct sign of a violation of normal functionality.It is important not to ignore alarming symptoms and start treatment on time.

There may be several reasons why your joints hurt:

• physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with undeniable benefits, promotes sedentary and sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;humans only control the processes.This leads to atrophy of muscle tissue.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Professions associated with constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salespeople) do not contribute in any way to joint health.Serious loads are fraught with injuries and over the years will manifest themselves in pain in the extremities and spine.
• Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen stops flowing to the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissues and, as a result, pain appears.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or in places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises, wherever harmful emissions occur into the atmosphere, has an adverse effect on health.The risk of becoming seriously ill and suffering from complications increases several times.
• poor nutrition.Eating foods low in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body has a negative impact on the general state of the body.This immediately affects the mobility of the connecting parts.Discomfort and pain appear.
• Age.The older a person is, the more pain they suffer.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause joint complications.It is worth noting that arthralgia becomes younger every year for the above reasons.

types of diseases

Many people suffer from illnesses and only a small part go to the doctor.But pain in the joints, as a rule, indicates the presence of some disease.They can be neglected injuries, hidden inflammatory processes.Therefore, it is very important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for timely diagnosis and treatment.

The classification divides diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common joint diseases in each group, according to WHO statistics.

inflammatory diseases

Arthritis is the most common disease, characterized by the destruction of cartilage tissue.Due to arthritis, friction appears between the bones and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, edema and swelling appear.It affects all species, both small and large.It often has genetic causes that are inherited.

Joint bursitis: The disease affects the shoulder, knee and hip joints.Between the surfaces of the bones, in the cavity of the synovial bursa, excess fluid accumulates.The inflammatory process begins, which presents with great swelling and unbearable pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints.

Drop.Associated with increased production of uric acid, in the context of kidney failure.Most often it begins with the appearance of pain in the big toe area.The disease is typical of old age and people of specific professions (for example, dancers).The constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heel lovers should think about this.You should not sacrifice your health for fashion trends.

Osteoarthritis.Bone deformation due to cartilaginous tissue disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.

Joint necrosis.Impaired blood flow to the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients causes bone death.The joint suffers first.Pain and stiffness of movements can become signs of an extremely dangerous disease.

Pathologies due to trauma.

Mechanical damage to the joint.Therefore, complications from an unsuccessful fall are most often observed in the knee joints.Less frequently, on the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately: acute pain, inability to bend the leg, impaired motor function.

Dislocation.Loss of strength between the head of the bone and the ligaments causes dislocation.The displacement can be total or partial.Pain in the joint is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the area of dislocation.Failure to seek medical help in a timely manner can lead to the development of necrosis and disability.

Symptoms of joint pain.

One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.The symptoms are very broad and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that should require immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain in one or more joints.
• The pain appears at any time of the day and is short-lived.
• Discomfort and stiffness of movement occur only during periods of rest, on vacation or on weekends.
• The pain in the joints is so intense that the person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Body pains.
• Sustained elevated temperature.
• Skin rashes.
• Morning stiffness, without pronounced pain.
• Change in gear.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in the ligaments and tendons.

Even if, in a person's opinion, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much discomfort, a doctor should be consulted.

A preventive examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and ensure a complete cure.

Removal methods

1. Local preparations: ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetics and anti-inflammatory active substances.
2. Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
3. Hyaluronic acid injections - a thick liquid is one of the components of cartilage and helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
4. Physical therapy is a set of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around sore joints.
5. Wear only comfortable shoes: High-quality, soft, easily flexible shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Rejection of high heels, tight lasts and artificial materials.
6. Hot and cold: Alternating heating pads with cold or warm water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be quick to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
7. Problem area anesthesia: an injection of anesthetic directly into the sore spot.Quickly relieves unbearable pain.
8. Nerve destruction.It is used in cases where positive results are not obtained after other methods.The procedure is similar to dental nerve removal.Relieves joint pain, but the disease persists.
9. Traditional medicine: herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for preparing tinctures and medicinal mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
10. Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes produces truly impressive results.But carrying out this type of procedure requires extensive experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can take a long time.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following therapy options:

• Medication.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are eliminated.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
• Physiotherapeutic.Analgesic and warming procedures using medical equipment of various effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
• Therapeutic exercise.The doctor prescribes a series of simple special exercises to stimulate physical activity.
• Manual therapy.Combination of various active and passive manual pressure techniques on knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to the official methods of treatment.It is useful both for prevention and for improving the condition of patients.
• Surgical intervention.It is prescribed only in advanced and desperate cases.It has many contraindications and can cause other diseases.

Only after making a diagnosis and determining the causes, the treating doctor prescribes a treatment regimen using one or another technique.

The diseases in most cases are chronic.With proper treatment, degenerative processes only slow down.

Therefore, diseases are much easier to prevent than to cure:

• Care should be taken to promptly treat any infection.
• The diet must contain sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium and glucosamine are especially beneficial for joints.
• In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, engaging in feasible sports activities and walking daily will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

A few simple steps will help you prevent prolonged treatments, severe pain and disruption to your usual lifestyle.

How to forget about joint and back pain

If your joints are preventing you from living and moving fully, and more expensive medications are not helping, then you should consult a medical professional.Treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends, at best, will not give any results.In the worst case: exacerbation of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a "proven" recipe, it is worth remembering that the symptoms may be identical, but the diagnoses may be different.

The following recommendations will help you forget about pain forever:

• The joint treatment regimen is prescribed only by a doctor;Self-medication can have the most dire consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods: medication, physiotherapy, homeopathic and physiotherapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Do not spray or rub sore joints.Despite the temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
• Do not perform recommended physical therapy exercises because of “pain.”Feeling comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
• Even after the start of sustainable improvement, do not stop physical therapy.