| When it comes to joint pain and inflammation, finding | | | | Do you have more pain in the morning? |
| the source of the pain can require asking a few | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with morning |
| questions of you. These questions will narrow down | | | | pain. Other causes can include fluid retention and an |
| the potential reasons why the joint pain is occurring | | | | unsupportive mattress. Changing the diet to limit simple |
| and if inflammation is the source of the pain. | | | | and refined (or processed) carbohydrates before bed |
| Is it new pain? | | | | are good solutions to prevent water retention. A new |
| When did the pain first start? If there has been an | | | | mattress or mattress pad can also decrease pain if |
| injury of some sort in the past few months to a year, | | | | the inflammation or joint pain is associated with poor |
| the joint pain could be associated with that injury. | | | | sleeping patterns. |
| When tendons and ligaments are damaged, they need | | | | Do you have a family history of inflammation? |
| to be surgically repaired because they have no blood | | | | Certain forms of arthritis are passed on genetically. If |
| flow to stimulate healing. Sprains and strains can also | | | | someone in your immediate family suffers from |
| lead to pain that can last months before the joint is | | | | arthritis, there is an increased chance of you having the |
| completely healed. | | | | same problem. This is only a chance, however, and |
| Does the pain worsen during certain seasons or | | | | does not signify that arthritis is the cause of the pain. |
| weather changes? | | | | What is your mood like? |
| Drops in temperature can wreak havoc on painful | | | | Some doctors associate joint pain and inflammation |
| joints. Pain tends to increase during colder weather, so | | | | with mood. Depression, anxiety and stress can affect |
| if the pain is worse during the winter months, this could | | | | the body physically which can increase the pain felt |
| be caused by an increase in sensitivity of the pain | | | | around joints and connective tissue. These issues are |
| receptors. Decreased blood flow during colder | | | | often resolved with mental treatment or therapy |
| weather may also increase pain. Before storms come | | | | instead of treating the joint pain or inflammation alone. |
| through, the barometric pressure will drop which can | | | | In most cases, joint pain is associated with some form |
| cause an expanding of the inflammation leading to | | | | of inflammation. Inflammation can be caused by |
| stiffer joints and painful movement. | | | | several factors including being overweight, having a |
| Does the muscle or the joint hurt? | | | | high sodium intake and consuming certain types of |
| Some people have trouble discerning whether the | | | | food. Women often find inflammation increases when |
| source of the pain is in the muscle or the joint. If | | | | they are reaching the time of month when their |
| muscles are strained, as is the case when exercising, | | | | menstrual cycle is supposed to begin. As is the case |
| only two to three days are required before the pain | | | | with all joint pain, there are solutions, both natural and |
| should subside. Muscle pain often comes with a point | | | | medicinal that can limit the pain and help the body to |
| of origin or a tender spot in the area of the pain. | | | | better heal. |
| Stretching can help to ease muscle pain. | | | | |