Arthralgia

Infobox_Disease
Name = Arthralgia


Caption =
DiseasesDB = 15237
ICD10 = ICD10|M|25|5|m|20
ICD9 = ICD9|719.4
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus =
eMedicineSubj =
eMedicineTopic =
MeshID = D018771

Arthralgia (from Greek "arthro-", joint + "-algos", pain) literally means "joint pain"; cite web
url=http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2343
title= Arthralgia Definition
accessdate=2007-09-20
format= HTML
work=MedicineNet.com ] cite web |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?indexed=google&rid=cm.chapter.4738
title= Arthralgia
author=Joe G. Hardin
accessdate=2007-09-20
format= HTML
work=Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations ] it is a symptom of injury, infection, illnesses -- in particular arthritis-- or an allergic reaction to medication. cite web |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?highlight=arthralgia&rid=cm.chapter.5910#5949
title= Allergic Drug Reactions - Systemic Allergic Drug Reactions
author=James R Philp
accessdate=2007-09-20
format= HTML
work=Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations ]

According to MeSH, the term "arthralgia" should only be used when the condition is non-inflammatory, and the term "arthritis" should be used when the condition is inflammatory.cite web |url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2008/MB_cgi?field=uid&term=D018771 |title=MeSH |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=]

Diagnosis and causes

Diagnosis involves interviewing the patient and performing physical exams. When attempting to establish the cause of the arthralgia, the emphasis is on the interview . The patient is asked questions intended to narrow the number of potential causes. Given the varied nature of these possible causes, the questions may strike the uninitiated as irrelevant. For example the patient may be asked about dry mouth, light sensitivity, rashes or a history of seizures. cite web |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?highlight=arthralgia&rid=cm.chapter.5910#5949
title= Table 159.3. Selected Symptomatic Extraarticular Features of the Connective Tissue Diseases and the Spondyloarthropathies
accessdate=2007-09-20
format= HTML
work=Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations ] Answering yes or no to any of these questions limits the number of possible causes and guides the doctor toward the appropriate exams and lab tests.

The causes of "arthralgia" are varied and range, from a joints perspective, from degenerative and destructive processes such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries to inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints, such as bursitis.cite web |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?indexed=google&rid=cm.chapter.4738
title= Table 161.1. Some Common Regional Rheumatic Syndromes
author=Joe G. Hardin
accessdate=2007-09-20
format= HTML
work=Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations ] These might be triggered by other things, such as infections or vaccinations.cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/cber/approvltr/gardasil061208L.htm
title= Information from CDC and FDA on the Safety of Gardasil Vaccine
author= Loris McVittie, Ph.D.
accessdate=2008-07-21
work=supplement to your biologics license application (BLA) for Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant (GARDASIL®), to include arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, fatigue, and malaise in the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert]

Treatment

Treatment depends on specific underlying cause. The underlying cause will be treated first and foremost. The treatments may include joint replacement surgery, for severely damaged joints, immunosuppressants for immune system dysfunction, antibiotics when an infection is the cause, and discontinuing medication when an allergic reaction is the cause. When treating the primary cause, pain management may still play a role in treatment. The extent of its role varies depending on the specific cause of the "arthralgia". Pain management may include stretching exercises, over the counter pain medications, prescription pain medication, or other treatments deemed appropriate for the symptoms.

Associated conditions

* Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
* Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura
* Atypical pneumonia
* Behçet's disease
* [http://www.boomercream.com BoomerCream]
* Celiac disease or Coeliac disease
* Chikungunya
* Chronic fatigue syndrome
* Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
* Community-acquired pneumonia
* Crohn's disease
* Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
* Fibromyalgia
* Hemochromatosis
* Hyperimmunoglobinemia D with recurrent fever
* Hypothyroidism
* Kawasaki disease
* Lupus erythematosus
* Lyme disease
* Malaria
* Neutrophil granulocyte
* Pharyngitis
* Pneumonia
* Polyarteritis nodosa
* Sarcoidosis
* Sjögren's syndrome
* Takayasu's arteritis
* Toxic shock syndrome
* Trichinosis
* Scleroderma
* ADHD
* Hypermobility syndrome
* Morgellons disease
* Hepatitis
* Whipple disease
* Waldenström macroglobulinemia
* Multiple myeloma
* Rheumatic Fever
* Coccidioidomycosis
* Ulcerative Colitis
* Psoriasis
* Erythema Nodosum

References