Joint pain and swelling are a major health problem that many people suffer from as they age. This is due to wear and tear or infection in the parts of our body where the bones meet, such as the knees, hips, wrists, and fingers. In medical terms, this is called ‘arthritis’. Here are the main reasons that lead to this:
Osteoarthritis: The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis. The soft tissue called ‘cartilage’, which helps prevent the bones from rubbing against each other between the joints, wears down as we age. This causes direct rubbing between the bones and causes severe pain and swelling. This is most commonly seen in the knees.
Increased uric acid (Gout): The element ‘purine’ that is produced when we digest some of the foods we eat accumulates in the body and turns into uric acid. When the kidneys are unable to excrete it properly, this acid turns into crystals and accumulates in the joints (especially in the big toe). This can cause sudden severe pain and redness.
Immune system disorders (Rheumatoid Arthritis): This is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the joints (autoimmune disease). It first affects the small joints in the fingers and wrists. Its main symptom is severe stiffness and pain in the limbs when you wake up in the morning.
Obesity and lack of exercise: When the body weight increases more than necessary, the joints in our hips and knees have to bear all the pressure. This accelerates wear and tear. In addition, lack of physical exertion weakens the muscles around the joints and increases pain.
Deficiency of certain vitamins and infections: Deficiency of calcium and vitamin D3 in the body can reduce bone strength. Also, people who have had viral fevers like chikungunya and dengue fever often experience chronic joint pain for months as part of it.
