Joint Inflammation: Common Causes

Inflammation of the joints is directly related to joint pain, which may be debilitating and interfere with activities of daily living. To effectively manage this issue, it is important to know the causes of joint inflammation and the factors that can be acted on a daily basis to control its incidence.

In this article, we discuss the subject and take the opportunity to offer tips to ultimately better control pain related to inflammation.

The Causes of Inflammation

The conditions below are the most often associated with joint inflammation.

Arthritis: This is a blanket term that encompasses several dozen conditions, including bursitis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Some of these diseases are autoimmune, i.e., related to an inadequate response of the immune system. The immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body, producing inflammation. Some types of arthritis are caused by severe stress on certain parts of the body, for example, from a poor ergonomic setup at work or from repetitive movements.
Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis is caused by an autoimmune reaction. The inflammation that results could affect several joints in the body.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the cartilage within the joints. Cartilage acts as a cushion and helps distribute pressure on the joints during movements. When it wears away, the bones that meet in a joint rub against each other, causing pain.
Trauma: Severe impact, for example, during sports, can cause damage to the tissues that make up the joint, injuries to ligaments, in particular, are common. These injuries cause an inflammatory process. Smaller, but frequent and repeated microtraumas can also lead to an inflammatory reaction in the joints for example if a person repeatedly lifts heavy loads.
Infections: Arthritis can also be infectious. In this case, it is triggered by the presence of bacteria, a virus, or a fungus. Here, the pain is usually localized to one area of the body. Bacteria such as streptococcus or pneumococcus can cause infectious joint pain.

How can joint inflammation be controlled?

Some conditions that cause joint pain may be age-related, such as osteoarthritis. Others, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may be related to heredity. Of course, it is difficult to act on these factors to prevent pain.

However, certain lifestyle factors can be controlled to reduce inflammation in the joints and the resulting pain. Here are a few tips:

Stay hydrated: Good hydration can help maintain the quality of tissues within the joints, including cartilage. Since the human body is 60% water, adequate hydration is essential for tissue regeneration throughout the body. It is therefore recommended to drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
Eat healthy food: It is necessary to limit the consumption of foods containing free sugars, in the form of added sugars or low-complexity carbohydrates (refined grain-based foods). By raising blood sugar levels, this acidifies the body and contributes to inflammation. Certain foods can help limit inflammation in the body. Here is an article on the top 5 foods that reduce inflammation.
Move enough: A well-designed program that respects individual limits can improve strength, endurance, and flexibility. These factors all affect joint tone, helping limit the pain.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight greatly increases the pressure on the joints, especially in the lower body. Being overweight increases the risk of osteoarthritis and may cause the problem to appear earlier. To prevent joint pain related to osteoarthritis, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, which requires a healthy diet and regular physical activity.