Joint pain throughout the body can signal the presence of several conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Both conditions are generally chronic, and are suspected when patients present with complaints of systemic joint inflammation. In addition to joint pain, fibromyalgia can cause stiffness in the morning, tender spots in the body and fatigue, reports WebMD.Continue Reading
Fibromyalgia can appear as a physical condition, but patients with this condition may also complain of psychological troubles, notes WebMD. Anxiety and depression are psychological symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, as are sleep problems. Headaches can be caused by fibromyalgia, as can irritable bowel syndrome, urinary difficulties and painful menstrual cramps in women.
Like fibromyalgia, the presence of widespread joint pain can also be attributed to rheumatoid arthritis. Health professionals identify rheumatoid arthritis as an autoimmune disorder. Joint pain and stiffness arise from the swelling of synovial fluids around the joints, which also creates warm, red and tender areas. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often come and go, and can appear and disappear suddenly. Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the wrists and finger joints. It also presents as joint pain in the knees, elbows, hips, knees, neck and shoulders. As with other medical conditions, patients should consult their physicians for an accurate diagnosis, as joint pain can stem from several sources.Learn more about Conditions & Diseases