What are the causes of sudden onset joint pain and fatigue? Explore the 7 potential causes, including the flu, COVID-19, vaccines, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, lupus, and septic arthritis.

Influenza (The Flu)

Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that can cause sudden onset joint pain and fatigue. The flu affects the nose, throat, and in some cases, the lungs. It is contagious and transmitted through coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of the flu often come on suddenly and include fatigue, joint pain, body aches, fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mild to moderate cases usually recover within 2 weeks, and over-the-counter medications can help ease symptoms. In more severe cases, doctors may recommend antiviral drugs to shorten the illness. Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu.

COVID-19

COVID-19 can also cause joint pain and fatigue as symptoms. If there is a chance a person may have COVID-19, they need to stay at home and follow local authority guidelines for getting tested.

Vaccine Side Effects

Joint pain and fatigue are common side effects of some vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. These symptoms can come on suddenly in the period shortly after getting the vaccine. Other potential side effects include mild fever, pain at the injection site, chills, and headache. These side effects tend to be mild and will usually go away on their own.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that develops when the immune system attacks its own joint tissue. The symptoms of RA, which include joint pain and fatigue, can come and go and may come on suddenly during a flare-up. Other symptoms include swelling or stiffness in more than one joint, symmetrical symptoms that affect both sides of the body, fever, weakness, and unexplained weight loss. Treatment for RA involves medications that slow the disease and prevent damage to the joints, as well as lifestyle strategies that reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is the result of an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection or food poisoning. The bacteria that are causing the infection can get into the bloodstream, leading to inflammation in different parts of the body, including the joints. Reactive arthritis can also affect the eyes and urinary tract. Symptoms usually develop between 1–6 weeks after contracting an infection and may come and go for several weeks to several months. Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to clear the infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the pain.

Lupus

Joint pain and fatigue can be among the first symptoms of lupus, an autoimmune condition that affects different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs. Symptoms include swelling in the hands or feet, swelling around the eyes, headache, mild fever, sensitivity to light, and pain in the chest during deep breaths. Symptoms usually come and go over time. There is no cure for lupus, but doctors can help people manage their symptoms with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or antimalarial drugs.

Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria from an infection elsewhere in the body get into the joints. This can also happen after an injury or surgery. It is a potentially serious condition that can be life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms include severe joint pain that starts suddenly, usually in just one joint, joint swelling, skin color changes around the joint, fever or chills, and a general feeling of being unwell. People with these symptoms should seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as septic arthritis often develops quickly over a few days. Doctors treat it with intravenous antibiotics and may also drain the affected joint.

Conclusion

Sudden onset joint pain and fatigue can have a variety of causes, ranging from viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Vaccine side effects, reactive arthritis, and septic arthritis can also lead to these symptoms. It’s important to seek medical attention if joint pain and fatigue come on suddenly, as some of the underlying causes can be serious. Prompt treatment is often necessary to manage the symptoms and underlying condition effectively.

Sudden onset joint pain and fatigue: 7 causes

Many things can cause sudden onset joint pain and fatigue, including the flu and some medications. In some cases, muscle and joint pain and fatigue are symptoms of a chronic condition.

“Sudden onset” means the symptoms begin without warning. Sudden onset does not always mean something is seriously wrong, though.

This article will discuss seven causes of joint pain and fatigue that can come on quickly. It will explain what they are, their symptoms, and their treatments.

Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection. It affects the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the lungs. It is contagious and is transmitted through coughs and sneezes.

The symptoms of flu often come on suddenly and often include fatigue, joint pain, and body aches. Other symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• vomiting
• diarrhea

People with mild to moderate symptoms usually recover without treatment within 2 weeks. In these cases, over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications can help ease symptoms.

In more severe cases, or in people who are vulnerable to flu complications, doctors may recommend antiviral drugs to shorten the illness. A person needs to start antivirals within 1–2 days of the symptoms starting for this to work. The best way to prevent the flu is with annual vaccination.

COVID-19 can also cause joint pain and fatigue. If there is a chance a person may have COVID-19, they need to stay at home and follow local authority guidelines for getting tested.

Learn more about COVID-19 and joint swelling.

Joint pain and fatigue are common side effects of some vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. The symptoms can come on suddenly in the period shortly after getting the vaccine.

Other potential side effects include:

• mild fever
• pain at the injection site
• chills
• headache

These side effects tend to be mild and will usually go away on their own.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that develops when the immune system attacks its own joint tissue. It can develop in any joint in the body, but often affects several joints at once.

The symptoms of RA, which include joint pain and fatigue, can come and go. They may come on suddenly during a flare-up. Other symptoms include:

• swelling or stiffness in more than one joint
• symmetrical symptoms that affect both sides of the body
• fever
• weakness
• unexplained weight loss

Treatment for RA involves medications that slow the disease and prevent damage to the joints. People can also benefit from lifestyle strategies that reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Reactive arthritis is the result of an infection. For example, if someone has a sexually transmitted infection or food poisoning, the bacteria that are causing it can get into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation in different parts of the body, including the joints.

Reactive arthritis can also affect the eyes and urinary tract. Some people may experience redness, pain, or irritation in the eyes. Sometimes, it can cause pain when urinating.

Symptoms will usually develop between 1–6 weeks after contracting an infection. The symptoms may come and go for several weeks to several months.

The bacteria most associated with reactive arthritis are:

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Yersinia
• Campylobacter

Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to clear the infection. They may also suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the pain, such as:

• ibuprofen
• naproxen sodium
• aspirin

Sometimes, joint pain and fatigue are among the first symptoms of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune condition that affects different parts of the body, including the:

• skin
• joints
• internal organs

Symptoms include:

• swelling in the hands or feet
• swelling around the eyes
• headache
• mild fever
• sensitivity to light
• pain in the chest during deep breaths

People may also notice a rash shaped like a butterfly on the cheeks and nose, hair loss, or mouth or nose sores. The symptoms usually come and go over time.

There is no cure for lupus, but doctors can help people manage their symptoms. They may recommend NSAIDs or corticosteroids to ease the inflammation. People sometimes use antimalarial drugs to help with joint pain and fatigue.

Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria from an infection elsewhere in the body get into joints. This can also happen after an injury or surgery. It is a potentially serious condition that can be life threatening without treatment.

The symptoms include:

• severe joint pain that starts suddenly, usually in just one joint
• joint swelling
• skin color changes around the joint
• fever or chills
• feeling generally unwell

People with these symptoms should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of septic arthritis often develop quickly over a few days. Doctors treat it with intravenous antibiotics, which involves staying in a hospital. A doctor may also drain the fluid from around the joint, or give oral antibiotics for a person to take at home.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that occurs from bacteria. People may develop the condition after being in contact with infected animals or animal products. The most commonly affected animals include:

• sheep
• cattle
• goats
• pigs
• dogs

Possible symptoms include joint pain and fatigue as well as:

• fever
• headache
• not wanting to eat
• muscle pain
• back pain

Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to treat the infection.

Some causes of joint pain and fatigue, such as mild flu or mild vaccine side effects, get better on their own. Others, such as reactive arthritis, RA, or lupus, will need treatment.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends people talk with a doctor if they experience joint problems that last for 3 days or more, or several episodes of joint symptoms within a month.

Seek immediate help for severe or worrying symptoms, such as:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure
• blue, gray, or white lips and nails
• new confusion
• difficulty staying awake
• severe muscle pain
• severe weakness or loss of balance
• lack of urination
• seizures
• flu-like symptoms that get better but then come back

Additional signs a child may need emergency medical care include:

• a fever of over 104°F (40°C), or any fever in children younger than 12 weeks
• ribs pulling with each breath
• lack of alertness or interaction when awake
• refusing to walk
• dry mouth
• no urine for 8 hours, or no tears when crying

Lots of things can cause sudden joint pain and fatigue. They include flu and vaccine side effects. Sometimes, long-term conditions, such as RA or lupus, can cause these symptoms.

The best treatment will depend on the cause. Mild flu and vaccine side effects will usually go away on their own. Long-term health conditions require more specialized care.

A person can contact a doctor about any unexplained joint pain and fatigue, particularly if it is severe, does not go away, or gets better and then comes back.

Sudden onset joint pain and fatigue: 7 causes

Many things can cause sudden onset joint pain and fatigue, including the flu and some medications. In some cases, muscle and joint pain and fatigue are symptoms of a chronic condition.

“Sudden onset” means the symptoms begin without warning. Sudden onset does not always mean something is seriously wrong, though.

This article will discuss seven causes of joint pain and fatigue that can come on quickly. It will explain what they are, their symptoms, and their treatments.

Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection. It affects the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the lungs. It is contagious and is transmitted through coughs and sneezes.

The symptoms of flu often come on suddenly and often include fatigue, joint pain, and body aches. Other symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• vomiting
• diarrhea

People with mild to moderate symptoms usually recover without treatment within 2 weeks. In these cases, over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications can help ease symptoms.

In more severe cases, or in people who are vulnerable to flu complications, doctors may recommend antiviral drugs to shorten the illness. A person needs to start antivirals within 1–2 days of the symptoms starting for this to work. The best way to prevent the flu is with annual vaccination.

COVID-19 can also cause joint pain and fatigue. If there is a chance a person may have COVID-19, they need to stay at home and follow local authority guidelines for getting tested.

Learn more about COVID-19 and joint swelling.

Joint pain and fatigue are common side effects of some vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. The symptoms can come on suddenly in the period shortly after getting the vaccine.

Other potential side effects include:

• mild fever
• pain at the injection site
• chills
• headache

These side effects tend to be mild and will usually go away on their own.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that develops when the immune system attacks its own joint tissue. It can develop in any joint in the body, but often affects several joints at once.

The symptoms of RA, which include joint pain and fatigue, can come and go. They may come on suddenly during a flare-up. Other symptoms include:

• swelling or stiffness in more than one joint
• symmetrical symptoms that affect both sides of the body
• fever
• weakness
• unexplained weight loss

Treatment for RA involves medications that slow the disease and prevent damage to the joints. People can also benefit from lifestyle strategies that reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Reactive arthritis is the result of an infection. For example, if someone has a sexually transmitted infection or food poisoning, the bacteria that are causing it can get into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation in different parts of the body, including the joints.

Reactive arthritis can also affect the eyes and urinary tract. Some people may experience redness, pain, or irritation in the eyes. Sometimes, it can cause pain when urinating.

Symptoms will usually develop between 1–6 weeks after contracting an infection. The symptoms may come and go for several weeks to several months.

The bacteria most associated with reactive arthritis are:

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Yersinia
• Campylobacter

Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to clear the infection. They may also suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the pain, such as:

• ibuprofen
• naproxen sodium
• aspirin

Sometimes, joint pain and fatigue are among the first symptoms of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune condition that affects different parts of the body, including the:

• skin
• joints
• internal organs

Symptoms include:

• swelling in the hands or feet
• swelling around the eyes
• headache
• mild fever
• sensitivity to light
• pain in the chest during deep breaths

People may also notice a rash shaped like a butterfly on the cheeks and nose, hair loss, or mouth or nose sores. The symptoms usually come and go over time.

There is no cure for lupus, but doctors can help people manage their symptoms. They may recommend NSAIDs or corticosteroids to ease the inflammation. People sometimes use antimalarial drugs to help with joint pain and fatigue.

Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria from an infection elsewhere in the body get into joints. This can also happen after an injury or surgery. It is a potentially serious condition that can be life threatening without treatment.

The symptoms include:

• severe joint pain that starts suddenly, usually in just one joint
• joint swelling
• skin color changes around the joint
• fever or chills
• feeling generally unwell

People with these symptoms should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of septic arthritis often develop quickly over a few days. Doctors treat it with intravenous antibiotics, which involves staying in a hospital. A doctor may also drain the fluid from around the joint, or give oral antibiotics for a person to take at home.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that occurs from bacteria. People may develop the condition after being in contact with infected animals or animal products. The most commonly affected animals include:

• sheep
• cattle
• goats
• pigs
• dogs

Possible symptoms include joint pain and fatigue as well as:

• fever
• headache
• not wanting to eat
• muscle pain
• back pain

Doctors usually recommend antibiotics to treat the infection.

Some causes of joint pain and fatigue, such as mild flu or mild vaccine side effects, get better on their own. Others, such as reactive arthritis, RA, or lupus, will need treatment.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends people talk with a doctor if they experience joint problems that last for 3 days or more, or several episodes of joint symptoms within a month.

Seek immediate help for severe or worrying symptoms, such as:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure
• blue, gray, or white lips and nails
• new confusion
• difficulty staying awake
• severe muscle pain
• severe weakness or loss of balance
• lack of urination
• seizures
• flu-like symptoms that get better but then come back

Additional signs a child may need emergency medical care include:

• a fever of over 104°F (40°C), or any fever in children younger than 12 weeks
• ribs pulling with each breath
• lack of alertness or interaction when awake
• refusing to walk
• dry mouth
• no urine for 8 hours, or no tears when crying

Lots of things can cause sudden joint pain and fatigue. They include flu and vaccine side effects. Sometimes, long-term conditions, such as RA or lupus, can cause these symptoms.

The best treatment will depend on the cause. Mild flu and vaccine side effects will usually go away on their own. Long-term health conditions require more specialized care.

A person can contact a doctor about any unexplained joint pain and fatigue, particularly if it is severe, does not go away, or gets better and then comes back.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

What are the typical causes of chronic fatigue and how does it differ from chronic fatigue syndrome?

There are many medical and psychiatric causes that can cause chronic medical fatigue. The following list presents the most common (see 15 headings) causes of chronic fatigue.

Anemia is the most common group of diseases in which fatigue is observed. The most common cause in women is anemia due to iron deficiency, but not all anemia is due to iron deficiency.

Vitamin or mineral deficiency: especially chronic deficiency of vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium, iron and zinc can lead to fatigue.

Thyroid disorders: Causes people to become chronically tired due to thyroid disorders, especially an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). In addition, one should not forget about such autoimmune thyroid diseases as subclinical hypothyroidism and Hashimoto/Graves syndrome.

Diabetes (uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) or insulin resistance

Heart disease: especially chronic heart failure/cardiomyopathy is one of the most important causes of fatigue. In addition, pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) can also cause chronic fatigue.

Cancer: Patients diagnosed with cancer may experience fatigue for a variety of reasons, and most importantly, it should not be forgotten that symptoms of fatigue can be the earliest sign of some types of cancer.

Psychiatric causes: this may be the underlying cause of chronic fatigue, especially chronic anxiety or depression.

Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases that occur in the body for various reasons are also common causes of fatigue: In particular, chronic viral hepatitis (B and C) can cause fatigue without jaundice, in its chronic active or carrier form. In addition, factors such as chronic parasitic diseases, tuberculosis, HIV (AIDS), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause chronic fatigue.

Heavy Metal Illnesses: Heavy metal poisoning can cause insidious illnesses and chronic fatigue. Substances such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, fluoride, and copper can accumulate in human tissue and cause DNA damage, causing health problems such as cancer, kidney disease, and chronic fatigue.

Metabolic/other endocrine disorders: eg chronic renal failure and liver failure, or hormonal causes/adrenal dysfunction (associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cycle)

or Neural hypotension may be a cause of chronic fatigue.

Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is known to be one of the important causes of chronic fatigue, especially in people who have gained weight and in people who snore.

Immunological causes (related to the immune system): Most chronic rheumatological diseases, connective tissue diseases, inflammatory articular rheumatism and other autoimmune or immunological diseases are accompanied by chronic fatigue during active periods of the disease. In addition, chronic inflammatory bowel disease/inflammatory diseases such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease/colitis/gluten sensitivity/inflammatory bowel disease/irritable bowel syndrome are also causes of chronic fatigue.

Deformity and physical weakness. Fatigue is also closely related to physical strength and condition. A fit and strong person gets tired later.

Malnutrition: This is the main cause of chronic fatigue. Many people eat the wrong diet and deprive themselves of important vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and proteins.

Stress at work: many people in the modern era cannot cope with the stress of work, resulting in chronic fatigue.

However, the cause of the disease known as chronic fatigue syndrome is not exactly known.

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome has also become known as “chronic neuroendocrine immune dysfunction” with a new name. This is a chronic disease that usually does not improve with rest, lasts more than 6 months, and often there are pain in the musculoskeletal system and headaches involving many systems. The difference between chronic fatigue syndrome and other diseases that cause fatigue is that the exact cause of the disease is unknown. The question of whether chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by medical (organic) or psychiatric causes is still a matter of controversy in the medical world. Therefore, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome should be assessed by the medical history, physical examination, mental state, and laboratory data.

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue?

Common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

• Constant fatigue and drowsiness, chronic fatigue for more than 6 months for unknown reasons, fatigue that does not improve during rest.
• Pain in the muscles and joints not associated with overt rheumatic disease, and the pain is severe enough to limit the person’s daily activities,
• Sore throat
• Abdominal pains

– Loss of energy

– Nausea and vomiting

– Increased sensitivity to sound, noise, light, environmental factors,

– Forgetfulness and cognitive decline. Or forgetfulness and related problems with concentration

– Disturbances in the nature and quality of sleep, inability to “fall asleep” despite 5-8 hours of sleep,

– Weakening of the immune system

– Intestinal disorders

– Negative attitude towards work and social life

– Constant anxiety

– Feeling depressed or dizzy

), rheumatic (pain in the joints, lower back, back, muscles) and neuropsychiatric (sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating).

How is chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed?

There is no specific test to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome. Diagnosis is made after exclusion of other clinical conditions that may be causing fatigue. Especially depression should not be confused with chronic fatigue syndrome. However, over time, patients may develop psychiatric disorders and especially depression. However, this does not mean that everyone with depression has chronic fatigue syndrome.

Classically, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires the following two criteria:

Clinically assessable, unidentified persistent or recurrent fatigue that begins at a new or known time (eg, not lifelong), is not the result of constant mobility, is not relieved primarily rest and causes a significant decrease in current work, education, social activity. and personal life, chronic syndrome suggests fatigue syndrome.

At the same time, 4 or more of the following symptoms must be present and must persist for 6 consecutive months or more and not precede fatigue.

1. Significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
2. Sore throat
3. Soreness of the lymph nodes
4. Muscle pain
5. Pain in various joints without redness or swelling.
6. New, disfiguring or severe headache
7. Inability to wake up in the morning (continued sleepiness)
8. Discomfort lasting more than 24 hours after work has been performed.

In addition to these main symptoms, abdominal pain, alcohol intolerance, bloating, chest pain, chronic cough, diarrhoea, drowsiness, dry mouth and eyes, earache, palpitations, jaw pain, morning stiffness, nausea, nighttime sweating, psychological problems (depression, irritability), anxiety, panic attacks), shortness of breath, skin sensitivity, tingling sensation and weight loss are also pronounced.

How is chronic fatigue treated and which groups of doctors are known to be specialists in chronic fatigue syndrome?

In chronic fatigue, the history of the patient’s complaints about fatigue (anamnesis) provided to the doctor is extremely important. No less important for the medical specialist are the symptoms that accompany overwork and concomitant diseases (comorbidities). In addition, the doctor notes all relevant information about the patient, from his social history, work to daily activities. According to a US study, because many immunological (autoimmune), rheumatological, inflammatory, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases are associated with chronic fatigue, and since a rheumatologist specialist is both an internal medicine specialist and a rheumatology specialist, chronic fatigue is the most qualified physician to care for was identified as a rheumatologist.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease that is often confused with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, and therefore the best physician to make this distinction is a rheumatologist. According to the study, it was suggested that before a patient is diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic fatigue due to fibromyalgia syndrome, the diagnosis should be checked and confirmed by a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist must consider many factors in order to make a correct diagnosis, and once a correct (definitive) diagnosis is made, many causes of fatigue can be treated, and this treatment often begins by addressing the causes of inflammation. It is also very important to reduce the amount of foods that cause inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet prescribed by a nutritionist as well as a rheumatologist is extremely important in this regard.

However, there are situations where there are no internal diseases and rheumatological causes that may underlie fatigue, or there may be treatment-resistant conditions. In these cases, the treatment of chronic fatigue begins in the presence of psychiatrists and psychologists. This situation, which complements these other branches, highlights the importance of treating chronic fatigue syndrome not only by a doctor, but also by interdisciplinary work. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are encouraged to lead an active social life. Stress reduction and relaxation techniques can help reduce chronic pain and fatigue. In addition, it is extremely important not to neglect physical health and physical activity. It is also very important which exercises and activities are individually designed by a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Specialist (PTR) and continued under the supervision of a physician. In general, it is recommended to avoid very heavy exercise on days when you feel tired. The physiotherapist adjusts physical activity and exercise levels according to the patient’s ability, so “tailor-made” programs are established. Therefore, it is very useful to have a regimen of physical activity, rest and sleep under the supervision of a doctor in conjunction with a PTR specialist.

In addition, since another new name for chronic fatigue syndrome is known as chronic neuroendocrine immune dysfunction, some physiotherapists (and others) also use a complementary treatment called neurotherapy. It is a method that activates the systems that allow the body to heal itself through neurotherapy. Some of the “worsening areas” found in neurotherapy are identified and injected into these areas, resulting in the suppression of chronic pain and fatigue.

Although no cure has yet been found, a number of drugs have shown positive effects in some patients. However, drugs and complementary treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome are not easy. Morale is very important in the fight against this disease. The goal of treatment is always to increase the patient’s activity and reduce fatigue. A doctor’s supervision is very important, and one should never stop exercising/activity.

Osteoarthritis (arthrosis), symptoms – Health Clinic 365 Yekaterinburg

Osteoarthritis, sometimes referred to as degenerative joint disease , is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs as a result of age-related changes, when the cartilage in the joints wears out.

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects:

• hand joints;
• hip joints;
• knee joints;
• neck joints;
• lower spine joints.

Ostearthritis develops gradually, and there is no treatment that can stop the disease. However, modern treatments can eliminate or reduce pain and help you stay active.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain. May occur during or after movement of the joint.
• Pain may increase with pressure on certain trigger points.
• Stiffness in affected joints. It is especially felt when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
• Restriction of movement in the joint. Full range of motion in the joint is impossible.
• Cracking in the joints. You can hear or feel it as you move.
• Formation of “bone” spurs. These are extra bony growths that can form around the affected joint.

When to see a doctor.

If you have swelling or stiffness in your joints that lasts more than two weeks, see your doctor. If you are already taking medication for osteoarthritis, contact your doctor if you experience side effects such as:

• nausea;
• abdominal discomfort;
• black loose stools;
• constipation;
• drowsiness

The spine consists of more than 30 bones (vertebrae) interconnected by muscles, ligaments, tendons and intervertebral discs.