What is Polyarthralgia, what are the common causes and how to treat it?

About

Polyarthralgia is a medical condition that causes pain in multiple joints in the body.

Five or more joints are in pain in typical cases of polyarthralgia.

• Polyarthralgia is similar to Polymyalgia (Joint pain with inflammation in the joints).
• People can have both at the same time.
• It is associated with arthritic pain.
• Accurate diagnosis is only possible after the review of medical history and physical examination of the patient.

It involves intermittent and persistent joint pain due to various reasons. It often begins with a mild pain that becomes intense with time. It is not inflammatory as polymyalgia.

Most Common Cause

People suffering from obesity have more risk of being affected by polyarthralgia as increased weight puts more strain on the joints.

Other Causes

• Osteoarthritis
• Certain high-impact exercises that cause strain on the joints
• Family history
• Bone cancer
• Pseudogout Arthritogenic alphaviruses infection in the joint area

Ages and Gender most affected – Older people (above 60 years) and women are more likely to be affected by this disorder.

Symptoms:

Self-diagnosable The symptoms mainly include joint pain.

People may experience

Areas afflicted by pain – Pain usually starts from the neck and goes down to the shoulders, and trunk.

Level of Pain- High level of pain in affected joints.

Stiffness in joints- Stiff joints often lead to decreased joint motion.

Fatigue- Tiredness and a feeling of being unwell.

Joint Swelling- Swelling around the joints that may cause redness.

Treatment

Self-Care: Regular exercise, healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, using heating pads, taking warm baths or applying ice can help manage the condition.

Medications: Few over the counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs as prescribed by doctors) can be very helpful in managing pain.

Specialists: For massage therapy, acupuncture and other alternate/allied treatments, consult a doctor.

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