Joint pain is a quite common symptom that makes daily life difficult for many people. Discomfort in knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, etc., in the form of stabbing pains, sharp pain, stiffness, and swelling, prevent performing many activities and can even affect factors as important as quality of life.
What is joint pain?
Joint pain is the most common disorder affecting the musculoskeletal system. It attacks the joints, which are responsible for providing mobility to bones in different parts of the body such as knees, ankles, hips, and wrists, among others. Both men and women suffer from it equally, although 73% of women experience joint pain after age 35, while only 63% of men do, according to a study by the International Osteoarthritis Foundation (OAFI).
This type of pain can affect a single joint (monoarticular) or multiple joints (polyarticular) and originate in the joint itself or outside it, such as in a ligament, cartilage, tendon, or muscle (fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica, bursitis, tendinitis, etc.)
Joint pain appears as stabbing, sharp pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint and causes movement limitations that ultimately impact quality of life. It is important to consider that depending on the characteristics, the pain can lead to diseases like arthritis, osteoarthritis, or gout, among others.
Warning signs
In general terms, the warning signs to watch for are:
- Joint swelling, warmth, and redness.
- Skin rash, dots, or purplish spots.
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden/severe cough.
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever, sweating, or chills.
- Eye redness or pain.
Among the most affected joints, knees have the highest incidence (52%), followed by the spine (40%) and hands (25%).
Symptoms usually progress and persist over time. Therefore, treatment and prevention are both important.
Rheumatism
Society groups all ailments or discomfort related to the locomotor system under the term "rheuma" or "rheumatism." Specifically, it refers to various inflammatory processes of the joints and their components, as well as muscles and bones, which present with pain, limited normal function, and even deformation of the structures in one or more parts of the musculoskeletal system.
There are two types of rheumatism: articular and non-articular. Articular rheumatism is located inside the joint itself, affecting the cartilage or synovial membrane. If the rheumatism is non-articular, it is caused by inflammation of periarticular structures such as tendons and muscles.
Nutrition for rheumatism
It is advisable to follow a diet rich in sodium. Vegetable oils rich in Omega 3 (sesame, soybean seed, walnuts, etc.) are recommended. It is best to maintain a balanced diet and ideal weight, as well as consume foods high in fiber.
- Recommended foods: cabbage, turnip, lemon, celery, oily fish, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, vegetable broths, soups, natural fruit juices, garlic, and onion.
- Foods to avoid: potatoes, peppers, paprika, eggplant, red meats, saturated fats, refined flours, refined sugar, sweets, and alcoholic drinks—or at least avoid excessive consumption.
Popular remedies
- For rheumatism, it is very beneficial to take a clove of garlic daily, as well as drink lemon juice diluted in water on an empty stomach to cleanse the body.
- Also, chew a small amount of horseradish leaves, as it helps prevent "attacks."
- To fight pain: prepare a decoction with a teaspoon of devil's claw and take a third of it before each meal.
- To cleanse the body: prepare an infusion of dandelion and sarsaparilla, drink it after each meal.
- To reduce inflammation: celery seed infusion, take it 3 times a day (before or after meals).
Prevent joint damage
The most effective measures to protect the joints are:
- Healthy diet: consume foods rich in calcium (to strengthen bones), proteins (for muscles), and vitamins A, C, and D.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid overweight.
- Avoid unnecessary strain.
- Avoid tobacco and do not abuse alcohol.
- Try to sleep at least 8 hours.
- Maintain joint health. Do proper warm-up before practicing sports.
- Supplements. Some compounds such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate can help joint recovery.
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