Joint pain all over the body is a symptom, not a disease. At the same time, painful sensations often spread to the muscles, as a result of which it can be difficult to get out of bed. Many diseases lead to such unpleasant consequences, it is impossible to treat pain without determining the exact cause. What symptoms to look out for and what to do?
The main causes of pain
If more than one joint hurts, not more than one, but everything hurts at once, it is a sign of systemic damage to the body. In addition, it is difficult to understand where the pain is localized - in the joints, muscles, bones, or anywhere. The pain is felt on all sides of the body, it is difficult to find a place. For reasons that can damage all joints:
- Very intense physical activity.
- Infectious diseases.
- Pathological changes in connective tissue.
- Diseases of the circulatory system.
- Oncological diseases.
- Neuralgia.
As can be seen from the above, it is not possible to immediately understand the causes of pain. The exact cause can be determined only after appropriate examinations. If heavy physical work is excluded the day before, we are talking about diseases that need to be treated.
Why it is dangerous
First of all, severe pain throughout the body reduces mobility, but this is not the main danger. The main danger is a disease that causes painful sensations in the joints. In such cases, self-medication is extremely dangerous, because it will only lead to the passage of symptoms, the progression of the disease. You can try to eliminate the pain and possible swelling yourself, but after that you must see a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Any disease has its own unique symptoms. Since pain is the most noticeable symptom, it is first necessary to determine its characteristics:
- Type of pain (aches, pains, cramps).
- Localization (joints, surrounding muscles, bones).
- Moving inside the body or a separate area is always painful.
- Persistent pain or convulsions are intermittent.
- Intensity of feelings.
In addition, the patient may feel weakness, severe fatigue or muscle aches. Additional symptoms vary depending on the specific cause of the pain:
- Excessive tension. . . Excessive physical activity the day before can cause pain the whole body the next day. This is due to the production of lactic acid in the muscles. In this case, a good warm-up is enough to relieve the pain.
- Infections. . . Joint pain is often accompanied by advanced forms of diseases such as influenza, fever, meningitis and even the usual acute respiratory infections. In addition to pain, the symptoms are complemented by cough, skin rash, chills, weakness, nausea and indigestion, and high body temperature.
- Viral hepatitis. . . In addition to possible pain with liver damage, there is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, worsening of appetite.
- Pathological changes in garden tissue. . . Arthritis, lupus erythematosus, polymyositis - all of these can cause joint pain. In addition, some diseases of the heart, kidneys, lungs, vascular and nervous systems can cause painful sensations in the joints.
- Blood diseases. . . In addition to the pain in the body, the patient has a fever, pale skin, enlarged lymph nodes, liver and spleen. In this case, the susceptibility to infectious diseases increases. In acute form, such diseases are life-threatening if not treated in time.
- Oncology. . . Joint pain with oncological tissue damage may appear earlier than the disease itself. In addition, symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, poor appetite, fever, mood swings, depression speak of oncology.
- Neuralgia. . . In addition to pain in the nervous system, joints and muscles, the patient may experience numbness, loss of sensation and weakness in the fingertips. In addition, the hair begins to fall out and the skin becomes drier and thinner.
If joint pain is accompanied by any of the listed symptoms, this is a reason to consult a specialist.
Diagnostic methods
Who should contact with complaints of pain in the body:
- Rheumatologist.
- Hematologist.
- Oncologist.
- Infectious.
The doctor should examine the patient and send the patient for examination after hearing the complaints. The following diagnostic methods are used to determine the diagnosis:
- General urinalysis.
- General blood test.
- Blood biochemistry.
- LHC blood and smear analysis.
- Bone marrow puncture.
- CT and MRI.
- Neuromyography.
A thorough examination will give a complete picture of the patient's condition. Only then can we talk about a particular disease and prescribe treatment.
Joint pain treatment
The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor based on the information obtained during the examination. It is the most common drug treatment. A wide range of medications can treat almost any joint pain. The choice of drug groups depends on the type of disease:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Painkillers.
- Hormonal agents.
- Immunosuppressants
- Cytostatic.
Many drugs from the groups listed have serious contraindications - some of them should not be taken in the presence of tumors. In addition, almost all drugs have their own contraindications and side effects. This is one of the reasons why it is impossible to take medicines independently and without thinking. The exact dose and type of drug is determined only by a doctor. If there are no results after the administration course, the specialist may replace the drug with another drug.
In extreme cases where drug treatment is weak, surgery is required. Usually, surgery is prescribed for tumors and blood diseases. In the case of cancer, surgery can be completed with radiation therapy, and in severe blood diseases, bone marrow transplantation is required.
Prophylaxis
Here are six simple tips to keep your joints from hurting:
- Proper nutrition. . . First, a balanced menu will provide all the ingredients necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Second, eating well will help you maintain your weight. Obesity is known to be one of the causes of joint pain.
- Chondroitin and Glucosamine. . . These substances are important for joint health. They are found in meat, cartilage and fish.
- Drinking mode. . . Fluid helps to build metabolism, if there is not enough water in the body, the nutrition of organs, muscles and joints will be insufficient. You need to drink about 2 liters of water a day.
- Physical activity. . . Regular gymnastics in the morning will also help to normalize blood circulation, as a result of which the joints will receive enough nutrition.
- Attention. . . Any joint damage must be prevented.
- Vitamin complexes and dietary supplements. . . Deficient vitamins and minerals can be obtained from preparations, the main thing is to choose them correctly.
Simple tips can help keep your joints healthy. In addition to regulating the diet and daily routine, it is necessary to undergo periodic preventive examinations by doctors. This will help you to see the disease in time and start treatment.