The most common cause of hip pain

The most common cause of pain in the hip is arthritis and this can be either degenerative osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The first of these is often referred to as a ‘wear and tear’ problem as the joint or the normally protective joint cartilage wears away over time. This may be a gradual progression with age and being overweight can make it worse. Also the symptoms can come and go with the sufferer having bad days or months and good days by turn. The wear and tear process may also be quickened by excessive use as often happens in high impact sports such as football or running with hurdle jumps, so even fit and younger people can suffer from this problem. Muscles, ligaments and tendons that keep the joints flexible and responsive may become inflamed if over-exerted due to the extra stress in this area.

Another cause of hip pain may be damage such as a fracture, caused by an accident. Arthritic pain and stiffness is felt most often when getting up from a sitting or lying position after a period of rest and when changing positions in bed at night. Walking can also be difficult through stiffness or sharp pains and this can result in limping and subsequently also back problems as the spine changes its alignment to compensate.

Joint supplements such as glucosamine are hailed as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis along with painkilling anti-inflammatories and some physiotherapy or gentle muscle toning exercises but if the condition worsens, surgery may be needed. Total hip replacement surgery may be needed for the more severe end stages of osteoarthritis and this type of treatment often leads to a whole new lease of life.

The inflammatory condition, rheumatoid arthritis affects the whole system and can affect areas such as the lungs as well as the joints and joint membranes. It may be linked with being unable to sleep or feeling fatigued and also with sweating and is often felt as a stiffness or swelling in the joints. The pain can come and go, varying from quiet or mild pain periods to times when it flares up and is more severe. Over time joints can become deformed. Intermitent periods of rest and approriate exercise together with pain killing, anti-inflammatory medications is the usual recommendation.

Other common causes of hip pain:

* inflammation of the fluid filled protective sacs around the joints, or bursae, otherwise known as bursitis

* whatever causes an inflammatory response in the body such as certain virus strains

* a side effect of taking corticosteroid medications

* fibromyalgia, sleep disorders and fatigue

* pain that is referred from another injury or area such as from a herniated disc, which travels down the nerve paths to the hip area

* referred pain from sciatica, or irritation of the sciatic nerve

To find out more about hip pain causes and symptoms and for informative reviews of the various treatment options available, both conventional and alternative, click on this link www.causeofchronichippain.com