Sunday, March 1, 2009

Reasons for Joint Pain

By Ron Bell

The place where the two bones meet is known as the joint. It helps in moving the body parts that are connected to these bones. Our joints are one of the major concerns when we grow older with the passage of time. As we grow older, the muscles around them get weaker and the joint gets inflamed, which is the main reason for the pain. The most common causes of pain are Arthritis, Aseptic Necrosis, Bursitis, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Sickle Cell Disease, and withdrawal caused by steroid usage. In this article, we will discuss them one by one together with their causes.

Arthritis: This is a disorder of the joints that causes inflammation within them. There are over one hundred types of arthritis, and their causes range from wear and tear to an over active immune system. This is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world. Arthritis can be caused by injury, abnormalities in the metabolism, genetics, and even infections.

As there is a large variety in this illness, it is commonly called a rheumatic disease, which describes that every type has a different reason, and as a result has various treatments - but the one common thing is that they affect the joints and muscles.

Aseptic Necrosis: This is a situation that causes blood supply to a part of the bone to stop, which is the reason of decay of that particular bone. Dead areas of the bone cannot function properly, and would get weaker over time and collapse finally.

Bursitis: This is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a sac that is filled with fluid and reduces friction between the different tissues in the body. There are over one hundred and sixty bursas in the body, and the major ones are located close to tendons near our large joints. The bursa may become inflamed as a result of an infection, injury, or an underlying condition.

Osteochondritis dissecans: This is a situation in which the area of the bone adjacent to cartilage loses their blood supply. This can happen in any joint, but elbows and knees are the ones that are most commonly affected.

Sickle cell anaemia: This is a genetic blood disorder that is caused by abnormal haemoglobin, which results in distortion in the red blood cells. These red blood cells then become very vulnerable and can rupture very easily. When the number of red blood cells in the body decreases, anaemia is the result. These irregular red blood cells can also cause the blood vessels to get blocked, thereby causing pain.

Steroid withdrawal symptoms: Steroids are a common treatment for asthma, some forms of arthritis, inflammatory bowel, and allergic reactions. However, there are drawbacks to using this drug, and that is why they are usually given for the shortest possible time. When the treatment is stopped, the body goes through withdrawal which can look like one of many other illnesses. Symptoms of this include weakness, tiredness, and in some cases lack of appetite as well.

Hence, it is important that you schedule a doctors appointment if you experience any pain in your body, especially your joints, as this could highlight a larger problem than just pain. - 15255

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