What should you know about body and joint pain?

Pain in several joints with fever, tiredness, or a rash can occur during an infection such as influenza, dengue fever, or brucellosis. Fibromyalgia can present with widespread pain and poor sleep. Gout often affects a joint with sudden, marked tenderness and swelling. Underactive thyroid disease may accompany aches with low energy, feeling unusually cold, or dry skin. Extra load on weight-bearing joints can also worsen discomfort. A symptom does not identify one diagnosis by itself; location, onset, stiffness, swelling, recent activity, travel, and medicines help a clinician narrow the possibilities.

Rest from movements that clearly aggravate the pain, but keep gently moving within comfort to avoid stiffness. Drink fluids, sleep adequately, and use a cool or warm pack according to which feels better. Record which joints hurt, whether they are swollen or warm, and whether symptoms change through the day. Do not start antibiotics or someone else’s prescription medicine. A pharmacist can check whether an over-the-counter pain reliever is suitable with your health conditions and current medicines.

Arrange medical assessment if pain is persistent, repeatedly returns, limits walking or hand use, or comes with ongoing fever, weight change, pronounced fatigue, or swollen joints. Seek urgent help for a suddenly hot and swollen joint, severe pain after an injury, new weakness or numbness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down.

Ask which features point toward inflammation, infection, or mechanical strain; whether examination or blood tests are needed; how to protect the affected joints while staying active; and which pain medicines fit your medical history.