Varying levels of joint pain are typical after a long day on your feet or strenuous exercises. At times, the pain can be alleviated by rest, heat pads, and massages. In other instances, however, these measures are ineffective. For persistent and chronic pain, it’s best to consult a specialist. This can be related to more serious conditions.
Osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the common causes of joint pain nowadays. Some people erroneously assume that these conditions are caused by the regular wear and tear of the joints. To them, they are only found in the aged.
For better treatment, it’s best to visit a rheumatoid arthritis care specialist in Las Vegas. This is because most cases of these conditions are attributed to endocrine disorders. Almost all hormones in your body have connective tissue cells as their target. Abnormal production of a hormone will thus have varying effects on the connective tissue that is the primary element in joints. The following mark the leading endocrine glands whose issues result in pain in your joints.
Pituitary Gland
This is responsible for the production of growth hormones. Excess production of the hormone causes a giant-like appearance in children and the coarsening and enlargement of body parts in adults. Acromegaly, as excessive growth is called, causes acromegaly arthritis. This degenerative joint condition frequently manifests as back pain, and bony overgrowths more so in the knuckles. In the later stages of the condition, postural deformities with your spinal curvature, loose joints, and bow legs are common.
Thyroid Gland
The common thyroid conditions that cause joint pain include hypothyroid muscle or nerve diseases, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and hypothyroid arthritis. Hypothyroid arthritis, for instance, results from an underactive thyroid gland. The condition causes the excess thickening of your foot, knee, and ankle joints. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, arises from an over-active thyroid gland. It is characterized by the rounding of toe and fingernails and swollen soft tissues.
Pancreas
People with diabetes are often affected by joint conditions caused by pancreatic disorders. Dupuytren’s contracture, for instance, affects about 15% of those with diabetes. This is a tightening of the tendon in your palm, causing the contracture of the knuckles and fingers. Diabetic Charcot arthritis is also quite common. The disease arises from the lack of sensation caused by the disease process. It often affects the knees, ankles, spine, and feet. The joint pain in diabetic Charcot disease is caused by the lack of blood flow, infections, and small fractures in an affected joint.
Parathyroid Gland
The parathyroid gland, when overactive, will result in the dissolution of your bone. The commonly affected regions in your body, in this case, include the wrist and knees. The primary issues that cause joint pain in parathyroid gland disorders are bone softening and stiffening and thinning of the cartilage.
Disorders involving the above glands will in conventional medicine be treated by drugs to stabilize their hormone production and minimize pain. Even so, functional medicine appreciates that the joint pain caused by endocrine gland disorders requires a holistic treatment approach. It will thus emphasize lifestyle changes, a diet overhaul, exercises, and supplements for the healing of your whole body rather than merely stopping your joint pain.
