Have you had joint pain that just wouldn’t budge? Maybe it bothered you more in the morning or it seemed like it was only hurting on both sides of your body at the same time? If that sounds like your experience there’s a chance that you are suffering from an autoimmune disease. Many people are seeking pain management doctor near me without knowing that this joint pain could be caused by their own immune systems attacking their joints.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
An autoimmune disease is when the immune system that is supposed to protect your body, begins to have dysfunction in that it actually begins to attack healthy tissues by mistake. This attack can produce symptoms of swelling, redness, and long-term pain in the affected joints.
Common autoimmune diseases that produce joint pain include:
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The most common autoimmune disease with associated joint swelling and damage.
• Lupus: A disease that can involve the joints as well as the skin, kidneys, and other areas.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Usually associated with the skin condition psoriasis leading to joint pain and stiffness.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: Affects the spine as well as larger joints and the ability to move.
These diseases can affect individuals of all ages with a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe.
What Causes Joint Pain in These Conditions?
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system gets confused and attacks the soft tissue that lines the joints. This causes inflammation that leads to stiffness or swelling (or both) and pain. Eventually, the inflammation causes damage to the joint making it difficult to move or complete daily activities, like walking.
Autoimmune joint pain is not the same as injury or age-related arthritis pain. It typically happens to the same joint on both sides of the body, i.e., both knees or both wrists may hurt simultaneously.
When Should You Talk to a Doctor?
If you have joint pain that has lasted more than a couple of weeks, who may also have fatigue or fever, you should discuss your symptoms with a specialist. Rheumatologists are doctors who are trained to treat autoimmune diseases, and chronic joint pain. Try to search rheumatology near me and look for a doctor in your area who can help you with the diagnosis and initiate treatment.
Conclusions
Autoimmune diseases can be painful and confusing, but they can be controlled if approached correctly. The first step is to get some background on what is happening in your body — and getting the appropriate help. If joint pain is preventing you from the enjoyment of life, don’t delay. See can pain management doctors helps with cancer pain.
