Some causes of joint pain

Any unexplained discomfort in a joint should always be investigated. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better, since the right medication and treatment could make a difference in how well the symptoms are controlled. Below are eight common conditions which cause joint pain.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage, which protects the joints, breaks down and the bones rub against each other, triggering pain and swelling. You are at risk if you are obese, have over used joints, through heavy physical work or sport. Psoriatic arthritis sometimes affects people with the skin condition psoriasis and is caused by an autoimmune reaction where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation. It can be managed with drugs and lifestyle changes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is also a chronic autoimmune

disease affecting the small joints in the hand and wrist and sometimes causing bumps, or nodules, under the skin.

Lupus, another autoimmune disease, can cause joint pain, swelling and stiffness in the body’s extremities, such as ankles toes, fingers, wrists, and elbows. Treatment can help prevent flare up and reduce symptoms.

Gout is another form of arthritis, caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uricacid is found in foods like liver, red meat, scallops, turkey and alcohol.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness and one of the symptoms is joint pain, which usually appears in the weeks or months following a tick bite. One or two joints are usually affected together, with symptoms decreasing in time. But if you think it is possible you have Lyme disease an early diagnosis very important to get the right medical care.

Hypothyroidism, the result of an underactive thyroid gland, sometimes causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling in certain joints.

Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder affecting millions of people often has symptoms including aches and pain in the joints.