Do you need to see a doctor for your joint pain?

Joint pain is frequent and is most commonly felt in the hands, feet, knees, hips and spine. The pain can either be intermittent or persistent. Your joints may feel achy, stiff, or uncomfortable at times. Some individuals even report sensations of pulsating and stinging during joint aches. Therefore, you must learn how to cope with joint pain, as sometimes the joints may feel tense when you wake up, but with light exercise or walking, the joints may relax. 

Joint discomfort may impair joint function and impede your ability to do fundamental actions. Severe joint pain can hurt one's quality of life. Therefore, you should know when to see the doctor for joint pain as the treatment doesn't only address pain but also the impacted activities and functions.

Joint Pain

Image Source: Photo by Karolina Grabowska: Pexels

The general causes of joint pain

There are several issues resulting in joint pain, and some of them are given below:

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain, and recent studies show that over 500 million people suffer from osteoarthritis worldwide. It happens when the joint lining, known as the cartilage, wears down. Although osteoarthritis may affect joints, hands, knees and hips are the most usually affected. The treatments for joint pain regarding osteoarthritis generally include reducing weight, physical therapy, and exercising. 

Gout

Another cause for joint pain is gout, a frequent and painful type of arthritis that causes uric acid to accumulate in the blood. This acid then seeps into the joints, crystallizing in the tissues and fluids. These crystals are painful and cause swelling and redness in joints such as the big toe, wrist, knee and hand. Usually, changing food habits help to relieve the discomfort caused by gout. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that causes joint swelling and discomfort. Managing joint pain becomes tough in this case, as the disease causes joints to get distorted frequently, especially in fingers and wrists.

Frozen shoulder

A frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue that surrounds the joint thickens and contracts. Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulders are characterized by stiffness and discomfort in the shoulder joint. You will see the signs and symptoms appearing gradually and then worsen. Usually, the symptoms improve over 1-3 years.

Tendon and ligament problems 

Tendon damage, which can vary from inflammation and swelling to a partial or complete tear, is another prevalent cause of joint pains. Like tendons, ligaments too can be partially or completely torn. Ligament damage can cause joint discomfort, particularly around the knees and ankles. Treatments for joint pain due to these problems mostly involve seeing a doctor and surgeries. 

Joint pain: When to see a doctor 

You would be surprised to know that "arthritis" is not exactly a medical diagnosis, but it is a broad phrase that encompasses over 100 illnesses and ailments. Therefore, the first step to receiving the correct treatment is determining the form of ailment or arthritis you have and when to see a doctor

It's critical to contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis because joint pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, which are important to determine. You require immediate treatment for some varieties of joint pain to avoid further deterioration or irreparable damage, although others will improve with modest lifestyle changes. Moreover, if the pain is interfering with routine daily activities, you must immediately consult with a doctor. It is critical to rapidly identify the source of the pain and initiate therapy to alleviate pain and preserve healthy, functioning joints.

Image Source: Photo by whitesession; Pixabay

You must see a doctor if you are having the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty in moving the joints while doing everyday tasks
  • Red joints are warm when you touch them
  • When more than one joint experience inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort
  • You are suffering from a fever due to joint pains
  • For coping with joint pains that last for more than three days
  • Sudden swelling in the joints
  • Twisted joints
  • Other symptoms that may be of concern to you

Remember that arthritis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, which is why you may need services from an expert. If you are considering when to see a doctor for joint pains, consider rheumatologists, experts in arthritis and other disorders causing joint pains.

Treatments for joint pain 

Thankfully, numerous remedies help you to relieve joint pain at present. You can go for modern medicines, but for those seeking natural remedies for joint pain, you should opt for Ayurveda.

You must take all the necessary precautions to ensure the smooth operation of your joint. You can incorporate Ayurveda as a form of homemade remedy for your problem. Ayurvedic treatment includes many natural medicines and herbal mixes for coping with joint pains. Some of the most common ingredients are:

  • Turmeric- Turmeric is a brilliant yellow spice frequently used in Ayurvedic medicines. The curcumin in turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help relieve joint discomfort and is extremely beneficial to those with rheumatoid arthritis. 
  • Eucalyptus oil- according to much recent research, Eucalyptus oil is one of the best treatments for joint pain. This essential oil is included in many popular over-the-counter lotions and ointments to relieve pain from illnesses such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This oil also helps to relieve swelling and discomfort caused by several ailments.

Image Source: Photo by Karolina Grabowska; Pexels

  • Dry ginger- dry ginger or sunthi is known to inhibit the formation of various chemical compounds that can cause joint inflammation. Moreover, ginger helps in the production of salicylic acids, which eases pain and discomfort. You can also go for ginger-infused Ayurvedic gels or creams.

There are several other Ayurvedic products of herb mixes that will help you with joint pain. ZanduCare is a renowned GMP-certified company where you can get all your desired products for joint pain. 

Conclusion 

Joint pain is one of the most common issues that most of us go through. Knowing the causes of joint pains is important as seeing a doctor accordingly. If you are searching for natural remedies, you can get effective Ayurvedic products from ZanduCare to ease joint discomfort.


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Zandu Ayurvedic Team

Zandu Ayurvedic Team has a panel of over 10 BAMS (Ayurvedacharya), boasting a collective experience of over 50 years. With a deep-rooted understanding of Ayurveda, they are committed to sharing their expertise & knowledge through our blogs.
We use all kinds of Ayurvedic references in our content. Please use the contact form for any editorial queries.

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