When a joint hurts, we reflexively try to spare it - even though this does not reduce the discomfort at all. In addition, when the joint is not used, it becomes stiff and any movement becomes even more painful. The most important thing, therefore, is to alleviate the pain and treat the affected joint properly so that it can be moved again.
Severe joint pain is extremely annoying, as it blocks normal movement. Standing up or kneeling becomes a problem, and the simplest everyday activities are a real pain. So, where is the cause of the pain and can we fight it ourselves? Painful joints always require a rheumatological diagnosis. There is a different treatment for osteoarthritis, overload disease, conditions after sports injuries, and another for rheumatoid arthritis, says Barbara Rymaszewska, MD, a specialist in balneology and physical medicine at Malinowe Hotels. However, there are risk factors that we should watch out for and level them out ourselves in advance.
Risk factors
The main factor contributing to joint overload and consequent swelling is obesity. This is particularly true of the hip and knee joint. Therefore, the first step to getting rid of joint inflammation is to lose weight by eating a suitable diet and exercising in a small, moderate manner, without straining the joints. It is also important to avoid overloading the painful joints, e.g. kneeling and squatting with painful knees. If there is already damage to the hip or knee joint, the ultimate solution is to replace it with an endoprosthesis. Other causes of joint pain can be infection, overload, trauma or injury - as in the case of athletes, who are not obese after all.
Long-distance runners, sprinters and powerlifters are particularly prone to osteoarthritis. The situation is also not easy for people who work all day at a computer, clean on their knees, play golf or tennis, or do manual activities (drawing, writing, painting) and housework. In their case, the elbow and knee joints suffer the most. The wrist hurts when there is tendonitis, which occurs as a result of overuse of the tendon. Frequent injuries also affect our shoulders. These can result in painful shoulder syndrome, which originates from stiffness of the shoulder - all of which restricts and severely impairs the movement of the hand away from this joint.
How to protect
Our diet is not without significance. People who are deficient in such important vitamins as A, C and E, as well as selenium, are particularly prone to joint disorders. These valuable ingredients are found primarily in fruit and vegetables. Beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, is found in carrots, apricots and melons. Vitamin C is mainly found in red and yellow peppers, oranges, lemons, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and potatoes.
