What causes fibromyalgia?

We all get our share of aches and pains from time to time. But ignoring joint pain-especially PERSISTENT joint pain-is a big mistake. Pain is your body's signal that something's WRONG. Here are the most common reasons you may be experiencing joint pain. Your pain may be a symptom of a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or gout. These are the main causes of CHRONIC joint pain. Your joints MIGHT be tender due to an INJURY. Sometimes even the slightest blow to a joint or minor over-exertion can damage the cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles that make joint movement possible. A good rule of thumb: If the pain and swelling have not lessened 24 to 72 hours after an injury, see a DOCTOR. A third common reason for pain is over-use. This usually results in a condition called BURSITIS. Bursitis typically occurs in big joints like your shoulders, hips, or elbows. Repeated or staying in one position for a long time PAINFULLY inflames the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons and muscles that are around a joint. The good news: Bursitis usually goes away after a few weeks of rest, regular icing, and taking anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. However, if the joint becomes infected, it may need to be drained of excess fluid to prevent permanent harm. Infectious disease like Lyme disease, hepatitis, or even the flu can also leave you hurting. Treating the illness is the best way to ultimately ELIMINATE or control your pain. Bottom line? If you feel pain, it can't hurt to get it checked out. For more ways to keep your body feeling its best, watch other videos in this series.

Essentially, bone spurs are bony KNOBS that form on the sides or edges of your bones. They are your body's sometimes NOT-so-effective way of trying to heal itself from prolonged pressure or rubbing on a specific area. Everything from wearing uncomfortable heels to degenerative joint conditions like osteoarthritis can trigger their growth. Although they can form on any part of your body, they are most common in your knees, shoulders, spine, hips, hands and feet. On their own, these boney growths cause LITTLE discomfort. It can be YEARS before you even notice you have one--if you notice at all. It's when they turn up in areas where they rub against nerves, tissue and neighboring bones that they become painful-which is why you almost ALWAYS feel them when they develop in a JOINT. If bone spurs become too painful to treat with regular over-the-counter painkillers or if they limit your ability to MOVE your joint, they MAY need to be removed. Arthroscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgery, is typically used. This is when your doctor makes small incisions to go into a joint and cut away the spur. Once the spur is gone, your joint should feel as good as new. To learn more about treatment for joint pain, check out the rest of the videos in this series.