Three Possible Causes Of Joint Inflammation That Comes And Goes

Maybe one day, your joints are swollen and painful. The next day, the inflammation and pain could be gone. Maybe your periods of inflammation last a few days or a few weeks, but the fact that they come and go may leave you perplexed. As it turns out, this on-and-off joint inflammation is more common than you might realize, and there are three key diseases that tend to cause it.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In other words, it is a disease in which your body's immune system attacks your body's own tissues. In this case, it is primarily the joint tissues that the body attacks, which is why your joints get all inflamed and painful. The symptoms tend to come and go in spurts, or flare-ups. You may have other symptoms that you don't realize are connected to the joint inflammation, such as dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue, and mental tiredness.

Rheumatoid arthritis is manageable with medications that decrease the activity of your immune system. Taking NSAID pain relievers can help alleviate joint pain and inflammation, too.

Gout

If the main joints that are affected are in your feet and hands, then you may be suffering from gout. Over time, it can move into the larger joints like your knees and elbows, but it's typically isolated to the hands and feet for the first couple of years. It usually starts in the big toe and moves on from there.

Gout is caused by the body's inability to process urea properly. As a result, uric acid builds up in your bloodstream and then crystallizes in your joints, leading to the redness, tenderness, and inflammation you're noticing. Most cases can be controlled with diet and exercise. You'll need to avoid red meat, shellfish, alcohol, and a number of other foods that increase uric acid levels. Some patients also need to take corticosteroids during a flare-up.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread by deer ticks. If it is not treated promptly, it can become chronic, leading to flare-ups of joint inflammation and pain, headaches, exhaustion, and nerve pain. Doctors can diagnose Lyme disease with a simple blood test.

Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics such as doxycycline. Some patients get relief after one round of antibiotics, and others need periodic antibiotic treatment to manage symptoms throughout the rest of their lives.

If you're dealing with on-and-off joint inflammation, definitely see a doctor nearby. All three of the diseases above require professional care and management.