Joint Aches & Disease

Joints are the locations where skeletal bones come together. Joints allow the bones to bend so that the body can move. Joint aches may be a symptom of a medical condition, disease or injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, joint aches or pains may range from mild to severe. Severe joint pain may completely immobilize the joint and will require prompt medical attention.

Types

• One or several joints may ache at any given a time. Commonly affected joints include the joints of the ankles, feet, hands, elbow, back, hips, jaw, knees, shoulders, wrists and neck.

Medical Conditions

• Viral infections such as colds and the flu can or bacterial infections may cause joint aches. Gout, bursitis and rickets also cause joint pain.

Disease

• Wrong Diagnosis.com lists several diseases associated with joint aches. Arthritic diseases such rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis all cause joint aches. Other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, sickle cell disease, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatic, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple myeloma, metastases, rheumatic fever, hemophilia, cancer and syphilis may also cause the joints to ache.

Injuries

• Strains and sprains often cause joint aches. Tendinitis, fractured bones and dislocations also cause joint aches.

Considerations

• If joint aches become bothersome or if severe swelling and bleeding are present, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a physician right away. Self-care such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs can help to alleviate joint pain.