Painful Swollen Joints

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Joint pain is most frequently caused by swelling in the joints, and there may be a number of causes for that swelling.

Most people who suffer from joint pain may not realize it, but the main cause of most pain is actually inflammation. Painful, swollen joints are the leading symptom of numerous conditions and understanding more about the inflammation, why it happens, and how to manage it is important.

Essentially, swollen joints are caused by an increase in the amount of fluid within the tissues surrounding the joints. When the swelling occurs, nerve endings will be irritated and compressed which will cause pain. It also causes issues like stiffness due to the large amount of swelling within the joint, which may stop the flexibility of the joint entirely. That’s the basic cause, but there are numerous additional factors that may be at play which will cause the swelling to occur. Swelling isn’t actually a cause, it’s a symptom. And identifying why it is occurring is very important for managing the pain, reducing the swelling, and improving the overall quality of one’s life.

Arthritis is the most common cause of joint swelling. There are several types that may occur including gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In all cases, swelling and pain are the two main symptoms that one will suffer from.

Injury also triggers swelling and can occur from simple overuse, improper technique, or traumatic injury. Things like running without proper shoes on concrete, for example, can trigger damage to the knees. Continual lifting may cause sore joints and could trigger swelling. In many cases these issues will usually subside with rest after a few days.

The specific cause of swelling in the joints is important to identify. That’s because there are many different options for managing the pain and preventing swelling, but the first step is to understand what is triggering it. For instance, arthritis is helped with natural supplements, dietary changes, acupuncture, and other anti inflammatory steps. Injuries are treated with cold compresses and rest. No matter the specific cause of your pain and swelling, the odds are good that there’s a way to overcome the problem.

If you suffer from painful swelling in the joints, scheduling an appointment with your doctor is the first step towards figuring out how to deal with the problem. Once you do this, you’ll be able to start looking into the different options for relief and be able to track down the solution that’s right for you.