Joint pain and inflammation have become quite common conditions that people struggle with, especially in winter when it is cold outside. According to research, 70% of older adults experience joint pain, with women reporting it more frequently than men.
In this blog, you will learn everything about joint pain and inflammation.
What Is Joint Pain and Inflammation?
Swollen joints occur when fluid accumulates in the tissues around the joints. It can be quite unpleasant and difficult to move the afflicted joints. Inflammation can cause afflicted joints to grow in size or take on an unusual form.
Joint pain and inflammation may affect more than one joint at once. The elbows, wrists, shoulders, base of the spine, knuckles in the hand, hips, knees, and ankles are the most frequent joints to experience discomfort and inflammation.
What to Know About Acute and Chronic Joint Pain and Inflammation?
You may suffer from two types of joint pain and inflammation, which can be quite painful. They include the following:
- Acute Joint Pain and Inflammation: This type of pain and inflammation appears suddenly and lasts for a short period. You may not even need any form of treatment for this condition. For example, you suddenly fell and injured your joints.
- Chronic Joint Pain and Inflammation: This type of pain and inflammation takes time to appear and can cause long-term effects. You will have to get treatment and may have to change your lifestyle to fix this condition. Arthritis is one of the examples of acute joint pain and inflammation.
Symptoms Related to Joint Pain and Inflammation
Joint pain and inflammation symptoms vary depending on which joints are involved. Sometimes, you will need to consult a doctor about your condition. If you're experiencing unexplained joint pain, inflammation, and other symptoms, schedule an appointment to determine the cause. Here are some of the symptoms of this condition:
- The skin around the joint is swollen, red, sensitive, or warm to the touch
- Difficulty in moving around and carrying out daily activities
- Persistent pain for multiple days
- Sudden fever without any signs of flu
- The joint looks deformed
- The joint cannot be moved
Causes of Joint Pain and Inflammation
Joint pain causes usually depend on the type of condition you have.
Causes of acute joint pain and inflammation may include:
- Injuries to the joint
- Joint inflammation
- Sprain or strain
- Infections
- Illnesses like flu or COVID-19
- Overuse of the joint
Causes of chronic joint pain and inflammation may include:
- Lupus
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Gout
- Rickets
- Fibromyalgia
Treatment for Joint Pain and Inflammation
Your treatment for joint pain and inflammation usually depends on what causes it. Usually, normal joint pain and inflammation will go away on their own, and you may not even need any treatment. However, some common conditions are chronic and need proper treatment to alleviate them.
Here are some treatment options for your joint pain and inflammation based on their causes:
- Easy-to-follow Homemade Remedies: You may use a heating pad or ice on the afflicted region for brief periods multiple times each day, as suggested by your doctor. You can also take a warm bath to get relief from the pain.
- Prescription Medications: Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to help ease the pain based on your condition.
- Exercises: Exercise is one of the best treatments for joint pain and inflammation while keeping your body fit. Your doctor will suggest the correct exercises that are low-impact aerobics and can alleviate your pain.
- Topical Treatment: Your doctors may suggest various ointments or gels that you can apply to the affected joint for pain relief.
- Surgery: If you have persistent chronic joint pain and inflammation, then you may need surgery to fix the condition.
- Injections: Your doctor may suggest corticosteroid injections to help reduce inflammation and ease pain in the affected joint.
Is It Possible to Prevent Joint Pain and Inflammation?
The preventive measures for joint pain and inflammation depend on various factors, as there are many causes for this condition. However, the most effective preventive measure for this condition is lifestyle change.
Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent joint pain and inflammation:
- Maintain a healthy body weight, as being overweight can strain your muscles and joints. This can lead to joint pain and inflammation. Losing weight will lower the load on your joints and relieve pain.
- Quitting smoking offers several health advantages, including relief from back pain, neck discomfort, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. Smoking also leads to exhaustion and delayed recovery, which can worsen pain and make certain treatments less effective.
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid junk foods that will increase your weight. Include various fruits and vegetables in your diet, providing multiple vitamins and minerals that benefit the body.
- Good sleep posture, as uneven posture can cause neck, joint, and back pain.
When to See a Doctor?
You should immediately contact your doctor if you notice the following:
- There is persistent pain that doesn't go away
- The treatment isn't working
- There is intense pain along with a fever
- Severe pain while doing regular activities
Get Expert Solutions for Joint Pain and Inflammation at MI Express Urgent Care!
At MI Express Urgent Care, we provide immediate treatment for your joint pain and inflammation. Our highly skilled doctors will offer personalized guidance to improve your quality of life. Contact us today to get the proper treatment for your condition and return to your healthy life.
