People of every age struggle with joint discomfort. As a child, you may have been told by your parents that it was just “growing pains”. This was probably true, for as a child’s bones lengthen at different rates than their tendons and muscles, it does hurt. But there are other reasons for joint discomfort.
Causes of Joint Discomfort
Joint pain is, in general, the result of injury. Joint swelling will cause joint pains, as well. Inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are well known causes of joint pain. These two diseases, especially, cause stiff joints, as well. Joint pains also increase with age due to bone degeneration, striking as early as the 40’s and 50’s.
Another type of joint pain is bursitis. The bursae are the pockets surrounding the shoulder joint. They can get swollen and filled with fluid, causing unrelenting pain.
Septic arthritis, the flu, rheumatic fever, and hepatitis also cause joint pain. They all deplete your immune system, and any time the immune system is compromised, inflammation follows.
Tendonitis is a swelling in the tendons in the forearm that causes excruciating elbow and wrist pain. It can be caused by any number of repetitious tasks. Often called tennis elbow, it affects not only tennis players, but violinists, car washers, and mechanics or other workers why use a manual screwdriver a lot.
External causes of joint discomfort include sprains, strains, and fractures.
Doctor’s care is advisable in these situations. Any persistent pain for more than 2 or 3 days needs to be checked by a doctor.
Remedies for Joint Discomfort
There are many home remedies for joint discomfort. An old tradition in the southern United States is to carry a new potato in your pocket! If you have arthritis, this will supposedly absorb the toxins that cause inflammation, reducing the symptoms of arthritis, and the potato, instead of rotting, will turn into a rock. Usually, alternation between hot and cold packs help with the discomfort. Some people find relief with massage with essential oils or menthol creams. Still others find that a hand treatment using hot, melted wax gives their swollen finger joints relief. Nutritional supplements, as well, are said to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, giving relief from joint discomfort. Dietary anti inflammatories are ginger, omega 3 oils, and garlic, which are supposed to circulate well in your system, restoring your immune system and increasing circulation.
Who Gets Joint Pains
Even healthy people suffer from joint pain. It’s not just athletes with joint injuries, or old people with arthritis. It can strike people of any age because in specific joints as a result of work or lifestyle habits. Physical labour, computer time, bad diet, lack of physical exercise, too much exercise, any of these, and more, can cause joint discomfort.
For persistent pain that doesn’t go away with home remedies or change of activity, consult with your doctor.
