You need this joint info. You can feel it in your bones.
Arthritis, back pain, gout, and osteoporosis. All of which can be a pain in the neck (or back…or knees….or….nevemind you get it).
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an progressive degenerative disease known to present as pain, swelling and/or tenderness of one or more of your joints.
Arthritis Risk Factors
The following risk factors may dictate the likelihood of developing arthritis:
- Family history: If your parents had it, you are more likely to get it as well
- Age: The natural breakdown of cartilage tissue over time makes older adults more susceptible
- Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop arthritis
- Previous joint injury
- Obesity
What is Back Pain?
We’ve all experienced it at some level, but the general definition of back pain is any pain felt in the low or upper back. It can be something temporary, like a muscle strain/spasm, or something more serious involving the spine or its surrounding structures.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain is a catch-all term to describe various symptoms and signs including:
- Dull, constant pain
- Stinging, burning pain
- Radiating pain
- Muscle spasms
- Tightness in the low back, pelvis, and hips
- Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing
- Difficulty standing up straight, walking, or going from standing to sitting
What is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis where severe pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints can occur.
Gout Risk Factors
A very typical reason for the onset of gout is a build-up of uric acid due to a condition known as hyperuricemia. However, a more robust list of risk factors include:
- Excessive consumption of red meat, shellfish, and sugary beverages increase levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) which can increase your risk of gout
- Obesity
- Complications from existing medical conditions
- Side effects from prescribed medications
- Inherited predisposition to gout
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease where the body loses too much bone mass, makes too little bone, or a combination of both. This results in the bones becoming weak and potentially breaking from a fall or, in more severe cases, even from sneezing or minor bumps.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Factors leading to bone mass loss and eventually osteoporosis include:
- Bone structure and body weight: Petite and thin women have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis than do men
- History of broken bones that may not have healed properly
- Ethnicity: White and Asian women are a the highest risk
- Certain diseases that may affect bones and bone growth
- Side effects of certain medications
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D
- Lack of exercise
Sunnyvale Primary Care Can Help
As you can see, we treat a variety of back, spine, and joint conditions. Dr. Kam and Dr. Fontenot along with the rest of the team here at Sunnyvale Primary Care are dedicated to making you feel comfortable as we improve your health and well-being.
