| If pain wasn't bad enough, to have it in the joints is the | | | | the area around the joints. These include, but are not |
| worst. Causing distraction, and inability to do certain | | | | limited to, Lupus or SLE (Systemic Lupus |
| things, painful joints affect your job, home, and personal | | | | Erythematosus), rheumatic fever, chicken pox, mumps, |
| life all at the same time. Realizing that the pain is really | | | | hepatitis and the common flu. If any of these are left |
| only the symptom for a more serious cause is the first | | | | untreated it could cause more severe problems to |
| step to getting rid of it. If you don't know what causes | | | | occur. It could be Lyme disease if a headache, rash |
| painful joints you can't very well treat it. | | | | and tiredness accompany the pain. |
| The tenderness and swelling associated with joint pain | | | | Sharp pains in the toes, feet and ankles could be |
| can be bothersome. It can also be described as feeling | | | | diagnosed as Gout, a temporary condition that can be |
| bruised or a restriction of movement in the joint. | | | | treated by changing the diet. Overweight individuals |
| Inflammation and redness can also be seen in some | | | | also tend to have joint, and muscle pain, caused by the |
| conditions. These symptoms are all pointers to what | | | | additional pressure on the joints and surrounding |
| the real cause may be. Don't assume that because | | | | muscles. Increased fruits and vegetables, and at least |
| you are 50+ in age that it is arthritis. | | | | 8 glasses of water per day, along with a good |
| However, arthritis in the joints, or Rheumatism is the | | | | exercise program will help both of these conditions. |
| most common diagnosis. Inflammation caused by the | | | | Doctors will use several methods to determine the |
| degeneration of cartilage, and the wearing down of | | | | cause of your pain. Usually a physical exam, including |
| bone in the joints is called Osteoarthritis. These types | | | | your clinical history, along with possible X-rays, MRI, |
| of arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Septic | | | | bone scans and urine tests, will be used to help in the |
| Arthritis are generally the cause of pain in older people, | | | | diagnosis. This is the most important step, so make |
| but it doesn't rule out the possibilities of other causes. | | | | sure you discuss all possibilities, as well as the resulting |
| Make sure your doctor is aware of any other reason | | | | diagnosis, with your physician for the best treatment |
| that may be the cause for your pain. | | | | options to be determined. |
| An injury to a ligament, cartilage or bone in the joint | | | | Pain relief is important, but understanding and treating |
| area, caused by an accident, sport or outdoor activity, | | | | the cause should be your number one goal. Of course, |
| is the next largest reason for painful joints. If pain, | | | | if any of the above symptoms are combined with |
| swelling and redness occur after an injury it is | | | | fever or chills, severe headache, or upset stomach |
| important to put ice on the affected area. Contact a | | | | please consult your doctor, as this could be a more |
| medical professional to find out how bad the injury is | | | | serious condition. Correct diagnosis is the key to |
| and how best to treat it. | | | | treating the pain. |
| Other causes can be infectious diseases that affect | | | | |