Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain. A study has shown that at least one-third of adults have this type of pain on a regular basis. This pain can range from being a minor nuisance to being a completely debilitating condition. One of the most common types of joint pain is knee pain. After knee pain closely follows hip pain and shoulder pain. The technical term for pain of the joints is arthralgia. Pain of the joints can be a symptom of many different types of illnesses.
There are many joint pain causes. This can include many types of arthritis and gout. Other joint pain causes include infections; injuries, including strains, sprains, and bursitis; and an allergic reaction to a medication. Pain in the joints can be acute, or chronic. Acute pain is normally caused by an injury and goes away after a few days or a few weeks. Chronic pain can last for many months, and sometimes permanently. Chronic pain in the joints is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S. today. Joint pain causes permanent disability.
Why Is Joint Pain Such a Problem?
A joint, itself, is the connecting point between two or more bones. Joints help to move and support the body. Joint pain can be among one of the most bothersome pains because it can literally get in the way body movement that is needed to perform many day-to-day activities. People rely on their joints to help everything from walking to even the simple movement of an arm. Joint pain causes disruption in people's daily lives.Joint pain causes many people to be reliant on taking many medications every day.
This pain causes many people to have to take many costly trips to the doctor's office. It also leaves many relying on the daily taking of medications including NSAIDs, which include naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen; COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex; muscle relaxants; and some antidepressants, which interfere with pain signals in the brain. The cost of these medications can add up, especially among those which do not have a generic version available. This pain then causes many people to have to take many costly trips to the doctor's office. It also leaves many relying on the daily taking of medications including NSAIDs, which include naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen; COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex; muscle relaxants; and some antidepressants, which interfere with pain signals in the brain. The cost of these medications can add up, especially among those which do not have a generic version available.
Joint pain causes many people to be reliant on taking many medications every day. This pain causes many people to have to take many costly trips to the doctor's office. It also leaves many relying on the daily taking of medications including NSAIDs, which include naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen; COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex; muscle relaxants; and some antidepressants, which interfere with pain signals in the brain. The cost of these medications can add up, especially among those which do not have a generic version available.
What Are the Causes of Joint Pain?
The most common of the joint pain causes, today, is the many types of arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, viral arthritis, and reactive arthritis. Most arthritic pain is a chronic condition which must be managed daily, with no real cure or end to the daily pain in sight. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis today. It is sometimes called degenerative joint disease.
With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints wears down, causing much intense joint pain upon even the subtlest movement. Another common cause of joint pain is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is more common among women than men. It has many symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems, and of course, joint pain.
Bursitis is also among the most popular joint pain causes. It is a condition that affects the bursae, or small fluid-filled sacs, that are located near the joints. These fluid-filled sacs cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles surrounding the joints. When one of these sacs become inflamed, it is called bursitis. Bursitis can occur in the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and other joints. This is, thankfully, an acute condition which goes away within a few weeks.
Finally, Osteoporosis is another growing concern among many older women. Among other symptoms, pain of the joints is one of the most common symptoms of osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, the bones become weak and brittle. It is most common among those in their elder years, especially petite Caucasian females. This condition is caused by low levels of calcium and other much-needed minerals in the bones.
