Joint pain all over the body is not a disease but a symptom. At the same time, the painful sensations often spread to the muscles, as a result of which it can be difficult to even get out of bed. Many diseases lead to such unpleasant consequences, the treatment of pain is impossible without establishing the exact cause. What symptoms to focus on and what to do?
The main causes of pain
If more than one joint hurts, not several, but all at once, this is a sign of systemic damage to the body. In addition, it is difficult to understand exactly where the pain is located - in the joints, muscles, bones or anywhere at once. The pain is felt throughout the body, which makes it difficult to localize. Because all joints can hurt:
- Too 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 impossible to immediately understand the causes of pain. The exact cause can be established only after passing the relevant examinations. If hard physical labor the day before is ruled out, 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 threat is the disease, which provokes painful sensations in the joints. Self-medication in such cases is extremely dangerous, as it will lead to the fact that only the symptoms will pass, while the disease itself will progress. You can try to relieve the pain and possible swelling yourself, but then you should definitely consult a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Every disease has its own symptoms. Since pain is the most noticeable sign, the first thing you need to do is determine its characteristics:
- Type of pain (pain, sharp, spasms).
- Localization (joints, muscles around, bones).
- Whether moving through the body, or a separate area constantly hurts.
- Persistent pain or seizures are intermittent.
- The intensity of sensations.
In addition, the patient may experience weakness, severe fatigue, or muscle aches. Additional symptoms vary depending on the specific cause of the pain:
- Overvoltage. . . Excessive physical activity the day before can lead to the fact that the next day the whole body will hurt. This is due to the production of lactic acid, which accumulates in the muscles. In this case, a good warm-up is enough to relieve the pain.
- Infections. . . Joint pain often accompanies diseases such as influenza, fever, meningitis and even common acute respiratory infections in an advanced form. In addition to pain, the symptom is complemented by cough, skin rash, chills, weakness, nausea and indigestion, fever.
- Viral hepatitis. . . In case of liver damage, in addition to possible pain, there is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, worsening of appetite.
- Pathological changes in connective tissue. . . Arthritis, lupus erythematosus, polymyositis - all this can provoke joint pain. In addition, certain diseases of the heart, kidneys, lungs, vascular and nervous systems can also lead to painful sensations in the joints.
- Blood diseases. . . In addition to the sensation of pain in the body, the patient experiences fever, the skin becomes pale, the lymph nodes, liver and spleen increase in size. In this condition, vulnerability to infectious diseases increases. In the acute form, such diseases are life-threatening if not treated in time.
- Oncology. . . In oncological tissue damage, joint pain may appear earlier than the disease itself is diagnosed. In addition, symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, poor appetite, fever, mood swings, depression speak of oncology.
- Neuralgia. . . In diseases of the nervous system, in addition to pain in the joints and muscles, the patient may experience numbness of the fingertips, loss of sensitivity and weakness. In addition, hair begins to fall out and the skin becomes drier and thinner.
If the joint pain is accompanied by any of the listed symptoms, this is a reason to consult a specialist.
Diagnostic methods
Who to turn to with complaints of pain throughout the body:
- Rheumatologist.
- Hematologist.
- Oncologist.
- Infectious disease specialist.
After the doctor examines the patient and listens to the complaints, he must send the patient for an examination. The following diagnostic methods are used to identify the diagnosis:
- General urine analysis.
- General blood test.
- Blood biochemistry.
- LHC analysis of blood and smear.
- Bone marrow puncture.
- CT and MRI.
- Neuromyography.
A comprehensive examination will give a complete picture of the patient's condition. Only then can we talk about a specific disease and prescribe treatment.
Treatment of joint pain
The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor depending on the data obtained during the examination. The most common is drug therapy. A wide range of medications can treat almost any cause of joint pain. The choice of groups of drugs depends on the type of disease:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Painkillers.
- Hormonal agents.
- Immunosuppressants
- Cytostatics.
Many drugs from these groups 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 choose drugs independently and take them recklessly. The exact dose and type of medicine is prescribed only by a doctor. If there are no results after the course of administration, the specialist may replace the drug with another.
Surgery is required in extreme cases when drug therapy is powerless. Surgery is usually prescribed for tumors and blood diseases. In the case of cancer, the operation can be supplemented with radiation therapy, and in the case of serious blood diseases, a bone marrow transplant is required.
Prevention
To prevent joint pain, you need to follow six simple recommendations:
- Proper nutrition. . . First, a balanced menu will give the body all the substances needed for normal functioning. Second, good nutrition will help you maintain your weight. Obesity is known to be one of the causes of joint pain.
- Chondroitin and glucosamine. . . These substances are essential for joint health. They are found in meat, cartilage and fish.
- Drinking regime. . . The fluid helps to establish the metabolism, if there is not enough water in the body, the nutrition of the organs, muscles and joints will be insufficient. You should drink about 2 liters of water a day.
- Physical activity. . . Even regular exercise in the morning will help to normalize blood circulation, as a result of which the joints will receive enough nutrients.
- Attention. . . Any injury to the joints should be avoided.
- Vitamin complexes and food supplements. . . Missing vitamins and minerals can be obtained from preparations, the main thing is to choose them correctly.
Simple tips can help you keep your joints healthy. In addition to adjusting the diet and daily routine, it is necessary to periodically undergo preventive examinations by doctors. This will help you notice the disease in time and start treatment.