PhotoAs we age our joints naturally deteriorate, which can cause aches and pains. But whilst most people consider some joint discomfort normal, it’s important to recognise when your body is signalling a more serious problem. Here we take a look at three signs of joint conditions you should be aware of.
Recurring pain
If you regularly experience pain in the same joint, this is often a sign that something is wrong. How intense the pain is, and how often it occurs, are important factors to keep track of. Keep a diary of your joint pain so that you can present your symptoms clearly to your health provider and seek treatment.
Forms of arthritis such as gout can cause sudden, intense pain in the joints. This is due to the urate crystals which form in the blood and can become lodged around the tissues of the joint, causing inflammation and acute pain. Gout usually occurs in small joints such as those of the toes and fingers.
If you experience a lesser degree of pain but it feels almost constant, you could be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. This is a degeneration of the cartilage around weight-bearing or frequently used joints, which causes them to rub painfully. People typically develop these forms of arthritis in their hips, knees and hands.
Swelling
When your pain is accompanied by swelling, that’s a clear signal that your body is creating inflammation to try and deal with your joint problem. Swelling can happen after an injury, or it can occur when you find your joints sore. Sometimes swollen joints are warm and appear red. However, if your joint is very swollen, hot, and you feel unwell, you may have an infection and should seek medical care.
All types of arthritis can lead to inflammation of the joints, so it’s good to know how to lessen your symptoms. Raising the affected joint above your heart level and using ice packs can be an effective way to reduce swelling and pain. It can also help to drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods that support joint health. If you have gout, this is even more important as eating foods high in purines, such as red meat and shellfish, are known to worsen the condition.
Decreased range of motion
Experiencing a reduction in your range of motion within a particular joint can be unnerving. It’s important to identify the cause of your stiffness and lack of flexibility, and understand how you can use medicine, physiotherapy or a healthy lifestyle to improve your symptoms.
Injuries to the joint and its surrounding tissues can cause sudden difficulty in movement, as can infections of the tissues or blood. If your range of movement is significantly impacted or comes on suddenly, seek urgent medical care.
When people gradually lose the range of movement in their joints over time, it’s more likely to be due to the development of joint-related conditions such as arthritis, or as part of the way in which our bodies naturally deteriorate as we age.
Live well
The best way to prevent joint pain and swelling from impacting our daily lives is to try and live a healthy lifestyle. Exercising regularly with low-impact activities is a great way to maintain your range of movement and strengthen the supporting tissues around your joints. When it comes to diet, be sure to eat a healthy diet full of nutrients and try to avoid foods high in saturated fats and salt. Of course, it’s always best to check with your doctor about any new symptoms when it comes to your joints.
