Joint pain – causes, treatment and prevention

Affected people who suffer more or less severely from joint pain often state that they feel painful sensations in the various muscle groups and in the articulated connections on the arms and legs (extremities). This joint pain is quite atypical, but is mainly limited to the respective extremities.

Depending on its severity, duration and appearance, body aches are divided into acute body aches and chronic body aches, with acute body aches occurring predominantly suddenly and unexpectedly. In contrast, chronic body aches are characterized by persistent and long-lasting characteristics.

causes

Painful phenomena that are diagnosed as joint pain can be caused by a wide variety of causes. These are quite diverse and affect the entire organism in its entirety. Both psychological and physical pre-stresses as well as unfavorable external influences lead to body aches.Associated with external triggers, traumatic events leading to extremity injuries include body aches. In addition, injuries in the neurological areas are the causative factors for body aches.

Furthermore, many pre-existing conditions such as influenza , infections and illnesses associated with fever are the causes of joint pain. Pain in the limbs in the upper and lower leg can also be caused by injuries or impairments such as inflammation of the sciatic nerve and other networks of nerves in the area of ​​the lumbar vertebrae and on the thigh.

Pain in the limbs also occurs due to gout , rheumatism and circulatory disorders . In addition, muscle tension , nerve pain , incorrect posture and stress and psychological causes can trigger joint pain. In this context, mental illnesses, stress and other influencing factors that represent psychological stress are the main causes of body aches and pains.

When to the doctor?

Body aches should be familiar to most people from their own experience. They can just be uncomfortable, but they can also be a complication. A complication means that the body aches are caused by another illness, such as the flu. If the body aches are accompanied by a high temperature or chills , for example, it is advisable to see a doctor, because flu infections are by no means always harmless.

A doctor must be consulted in any case if the general condition is reduced. Anyone who has heart problems, for example, should generally not take any illness lightly. This applies in particular to illnesses that have to do with fever and thus increased heart activity. If it is known that a severe flu epidemic is raging, which may have already claimed lives, you should not hesitate to go to the doctor.

Older people are generally more vulnerable than younger people to the consequences of illness. Here, too, body aches that are not age-related should give reason to see a doctor. People suffering from hypersensitivity and allergies also have more reason than other people to seek medical assistance. According to the Internet, allergy sufferers in particular can quickly do more harm than good if they self-medicate and should therefore seek competent help.

diagnosis and course

Infectious diseases (flu, cold ) are often the trigger for body aches. Based on the patient interview and a physical examination, the doctor can quickly diagnose the cause of the painful extremities. In addition to a blood test, imaging methods (including X -rays ) can also provide information about possible underlying diseases.

The type and duration of joint pain can be very diverse and usually depends on the underlying disease. For example, after the infection has been overcome, the pain in the limbs gradually subsides again. On the other hand, if the symptoms persist for a long time, this can indicate a neurological disease or impairment of the cardiovascular system .

complications

Body aches can be caused by sore muscles, for example. This heals without any complications. If the muscle is nevertheless overloaded, the muscle fibers can tear, which take a long time to heal. In addition, the muscle tissue can scar, which limits the range of motion. Thrombosis , especially in the legs, can also cause severe pain. These blood clots can cause edema in the legs. In the worst case, this blood clot can detach itself from the vessel wall and be carried away with the bloodstream. This can clog important blood vessels. For example, there may be a pulmonary embolismdevelop, the affected person becomes short of breath and has severe chest pain. In rare cases, a blockage can also develop in the vessels of the brain and thus trigger a stroke.

Even a normal cold can cause headaches and body aches. If left untreated, this usually heals after a few days without consequences. However, pneumonia can rarely develop as part of a cold. Inflammation of the middle ear or the paranasal sinuses are also common, especially in children. In some cases, inflammation of the heart can also develop, especially if the person involved engages in vigorous exercise. In the worst case, this can be a life-threatening condition.

treatment and therapy

The treatment options for body aches depend on the intensity and the actual symptoms and symptoms. In principle, a detailed and comprehensive diagnostic clarification of the joint pain is necessary in order to be able to implement an effective therapy.

In addition to the conservative and conventional forms of therapy, the alternative treatments have also proven to be helpful. When treating joint pain, a holistic therapy is often required, which includes the entire personality and the individual needs and circumstances of the patient.

If the patient suffering from joint pain can be expected to exercise, then strength and fitness exercise options under professional supervision represent an excellent treatment option for the joint pain.

Within the drug treatments, the focus is on placebo therapies and various painkillers . These can consist of both over-the-counter and prescription drugs for body aches, depending on their severity.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are the focus of attention, particularly in the case of chronic joint pain. Massages are also helpful for body aches.

outlook and prognosis

If body aches are triggered by the growth process, the symptoms are completely alleviated as soon as physical growth is complete. If the pain is caused by too much stress and overuse through physical activities, regeneration occurs with sufficient rest and protection of the body. A recurrence of the symptoms only occurs if there is renewed unusual or permanent stress on the bones. If the body is in the wrong position, the body aches and pains will persist until the movement sequences have been corrected and implemented.

Infections caused by germs often trigger diffuse body aches. When treating the underlying disease, the body’s own defenses are built up and at the same time the bacteria or viruses die off. Within this process, the body aches reduce until they are completely gone.

The prognosis is less optimistic in chronic or acute bone disease and depends on the progression of the disease. In the early stages, the symptoms can be significantly reduced. The more severe the disease, the more difficult it is to achieve freedom from symptoms. In many cases, only temporary pain relief can be achieved. In the case of an operation, there is a chance of a permanent cure. Nevertheless, lifelong impairments are to be expected here as well.

prevention

Preventive measures against body aches are not always useful and really help. This is especially true if the body aches are caused by injuries to the holding apparatus.Avoiding cold, draughts, a wet environment and excessive strain on the muscles, ligaments and tendons can prevent joint pain.

In this context, special equipment and protective items for physical activity and a good balance are helpful to prevent joint pain.

As side effects of gout, rheumatism and stress, preventive medication, warm and relaxing baths, contrast showers, sauna and walks help to ensure good blood circulation in the muscles.