Joint pain, as we all know, is one of the most common conditions affecting people worldwide. While minor injuries and physical activities often cause pain, it’s important never to overlook chronic joint pain.
Because it can sometimes be a serious condition, such as an autoimmune disease. So understanding the persistent joint pain’s connection with autoimmune disorders helps with early diagnosis and timely treatment. In this blog, let’s discuss how persistent joint pain signals autoimmune disease.
What Is An Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system of your body starts attacking its own tissues instead of shielding the body from infections. The purpose of the immune system is to find and target viruses and bacteria that are harmful to the body. When the immune system fails to do this, then the healthy tissues will get damaged and inflamed, resulting in autoimmune disorders.
About 80 autoimmune disorders have been identified so far, as these can affect various body parts, like skin, glands, organs, and especially joints. Some of the well-known autoimmune conditions are multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and more. It is said that environmental factors, hormonal changes, infections, and genetic factors can contribute to these conditions.
What Are The Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?
The autoimmune disease symptoms vary based on their severity and type. The common signs are:
- Joint Pain and Stiffness: Tenderness, swelling, and pain near the joint areas get severe in the morning and whenever you are inactive.
- Frequent Fatigue: If you are always feeling tired even after taking so much rest, then it is a warning sign that you must get checked.
- Inflammation and Fever: Consistent low-grade fever and inflammation can be crucial signs.
- Skin Changes: Redness, rashes, and lesions might occur, which are commonly associated with lupus.
- Digestive Issues: Certain autoimmune diseases impact the gut. This causes diarrhea, bloating, and pain in the abdomen.
Autoimmune conditions are challenging to diagnose, as these symptoms intersect with other conditions. But finding and treating it earlier can reduce the condition from worsening and prevent complications in the future.
Are Chronic Joint Pain and Autoimmune Disease Related?
The most common autoimmune disorder is chronic joint pain. In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, the immune system attacks the synovial tissue, which lines the joints, resulting in swelling and impairing the cartilage and bones.
Usual joint pains occur as a result of overuse or trauma. But the joint pain occurs due to autoimmune disorders.
- Affects Many Joints: The pain usually occurs in the joints of the wrists, hands, and feet, and it is often symmetrical, meaning both sides of the body are affected.
- Stays Long: The pain might last for weeks, months, or even years. The longer it stays, the more the condition worsens.
- Causes Morning Stiffness: People with autoimmune joint pain might experience around 30 minutes of joint stiffness in the morning.
- May Lead to Inflammation: Joints might become red, swollen, or warm to the touch because of inflammation.
Joint pain and fatigue autoimmune symptoms often co-occur in people and can severely impact their daily routine. Recognizing these symptoms makes it easier to differentiate the joint pain caused by autoimmune diseases from osteoarthritic pain caused by deterioration.
How Can Autoimmune Joint Pain Be Treated?
The main goals of the autoimmune joint problem treatments are to lower inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent joint damage permanently. Such treatments for autoimmune joint pain are medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes.
- Medications: Physicians give prescriptions of drugs to slow the progression of the disease. Drugs that focus on the parts of the immune system responsible for the condition will be prescribed.
- Specialized Care: If you suffer from long-lasting joint pain, it is wise to get the proper autoimmune disease treatment in Coimbatore from the best and qualified rheumatologists.
- Lifestyle Changes: Healthy eating, stress control, and good sleep are the three main pillars of a strong immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory foods can contribute to symptom improvement.
- Physical Therapy: Customised physiotherapies can enhance muscle power, joint movement, and provide pain relief. This contributes to the reduction of tiredness and relaxation of the body.
Final Thoughts
Long-lasting joint pain is a symptom that should never be taken as a normal consequence of aging or as a result of an injury that was so minor that the patient did not even bother to seek medical intervention. There are, basically, many reasons; however, the major causes to be taken into consideration are that the pain is chronic and symmetrical, and that there is swelling and stiffness. It could be an autoimmune disorder. For early diagnosis and treatment, as well as proper management of autoimmune disorders, visiting the best rheumatology hospital in Coimbatore will be a wise option.
If you have persistent joint pain or tiredness continuing for more than an unexplained period of time, consult a medical professional without any delay. Early intervention helps in pain management and, more importantly, in preventing permanent damage to joints, allowing you to lead an active and healthy life.
