As a person grows old, the body grows older as well. Frequently, people are not fond of the idea of getting old and having wrinkly skin. Getting old is a natural process that people must undergo. As individuals age, the body weakens and they become more vulnerable to acquiring and developing diseases just like arthritis which is the leading cause finger joint pain.
Finger joint pain is one of the common problems encountered by older people. Others suffer extreme pain while others are lucky to have mild finger joint pain. There are different factors that cause pain in the finger joint and one of this is arthritis. Based on scientific studies, arthritis is a disease that can be inherited. Individuals who came from families with cases of arthritis have higher chances of developing the disease later in life. There are three different types of arthritis, namely, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Dupuytren’s disease. The osteoarthritis is the common type of arthritis which develops in older people and is the result of the loss of cartilage in the joints. This can also develop as a result of previous injuries in the body. Osteoarthritis cause severe pain between thumb and index finger and can affect not only the hands and fingers, but also the other parts of the body like hips, legs, back, as well as ankles. Some of its symptoms include inflammation of hands, tingling sensation of fingers and the appearance of bumps. In some cases, others also develop cysts or lumps that are filled with water at the back of the fingers. It can be diagnosed through the use of x-rays and other medical imaging procedures.
The Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is another type of arthritis that can cause finger joint pain. It is severe form of arthritis that causes not only severe pain but also occurrence of bone and joint deformities. This disease is characterized by swelling and inflammation of fingers, hands, and wrists. Additionally, more than 50% of individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis develop the so-called Swan-Neck deformity wherein the finger joints bend and look like a crooked-swan neck. Like osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis is also hereditary which means that people who come from families with history of RA are more vulnerable to acquiring the disease. Individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are prescribed with medications and are advised to avoid doing heavy and stressful works. Moreover, changes in diet such as avoidance of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and flax oil which may trigger inflammation are recommended.
Another possible cause of finger joint pain is having Dupuytren’s Disease. This disease is a progressive disease that becomes worse over time. It is characterized by extreme pain in the finger joint and visible changes on the palm and fingers occur. Aside from arthritis, other causes of finger joint pain include injuries such as dislocation or bone fracture, as well as carpal-tunnel syndrome. Skin diseases such cellulitis and scleroderma may also cause paint in finger joints.
Growing old is not as scary as most people may think. The most important thing to remember is to always keep a healthy lifestyle and a fit body to prevent acquiring illnesses later in life.
Finger Joints Pain 