5 health conditions that can make your joints hurt

Whether you overdid your workout session or just have been sitting for a long time in the same position, there are several unexplained reasons why your joints may hurt in a day. Joint pain caused by these everyday issues generally goes away on its own when you stretch yourself a little and flex your muscles. But there are times when your joints may hurt incessantly without a cause, and pain starts getting intense. Chronic or prolonged joint pain is a symptom of some underlying health conditions that may turn more problematic in the future. Apart from joint-related pain due to old age, here are some conditions that may hurt your joints.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis that may lead to bone-related problems. The condition arises due to the breakdown of cartilage, which serves as a cushion between the joints. This bone-related issue is common with ageing and mostly affects the knees, hips, neck and lower back. Joint stiffness is a common characteristic of osteoarthritis. It is accompanied by other symptoms like sharp and intense aching that gets worse with movement.

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Having a previous injury can also increase the risk of joint problems later in life. Whether your injury is treated or untreated, in both cases you may develop bone-related issues later in life. The problem may be severe in the winter season. It happens due to the drop in barometric pressure causes the tissue and fluid around joints to expand, causing pain at the site of an old injury. If your old injury is causing a problem it is better to consult your doctor.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another joint-related issue, but it is not developed due to the wear and tear of joints like osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is rather an autoimmune disease, caused due to immune system malfunctions. The common symptoms of this condition include inflammation and stiffness in joints. One may also feel fatigued, feverish and witness unexplained weight loss when suffering from this condition. Being an autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured. Symptoms can only be managed with antibiotics or other prescription medicines.

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The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland present in the front of your neck. It is responsible for producing several types of hormones for the body that helps to regulate the body's metabolic rate, muscle and digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance. Any disruption in the quantity of the hormones produced by the body can lead to varied symptoms including joints pain. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can also make you more prone to injuries and fractures.

Depression is a mental health condition, but the symptoms may manifest even on your physical health. Unexpected aches and pain in the joints that you may experience when suffering from chronic depression could be just a sign of the mental condition. Getting treatment for depression, be it medication or counselling can help to get ease the problem of joint pain. Other signs of depression may include a change in appetite, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness.

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