There is no single answer to the question what causes joint pains because there are so many different possibilities ranging from arthritis to gout to old age.

One of the main causes in people that do not have a specific illness is simply being overweight. Carrying around too much weight can have a very detrimental effect on your entire body and especially on your joints. Your skeleton and your joints are in proportion to your body size so if you increase your normal body weight to level that is totally out of proportion with your joint size it will place an undue amount of stress on them and frequently this can lead to joint pains.

The joints are cushioned against each other by your cartilage and if there is too much weight placed on them then this can wear the cartridge down to a thin level or completely all the way through allowing the bones to wear away at each other and cause a great deal of pain. Reducing your weight if you are too heavy might help with any joint pains you may currently have but as with all treatments you should see your doctor before you make any changes to your diet.

Unfortunately for many people who wonder what causes joint pains the answer is arthritis. Technically, there is not just one but over a hundred diseases that are covered by the term arthritis. The most common formats of arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Both of these diseases can cause severe joint pain and can make everyday living very trying for those that are suffering from these painful ailments or inflictions. They can both cause debilitating pain and joint problems in the hands, back, neck, knees and hips. Arthritis is not actually curable, but it is treatable and there are many medications that can help to alleviate the condition and pain that is associated with arthritis. It is a very common problem amongst middle aged and elderly people.

What causes joint pains in some people that always been very fit and active is just the natural wear and tear on their bodies as a result of their activities. Many sports place a very heavy strain on joints and can cause high levels of abnormal impact to areas such as the knees. It is always important to wear good well-cushioned shoes when participating in a sport such as running as they can provide a good level of cushioning to the foot and joints.

There is no simple answer to the question what causes joint pains and if you are experiencing pain then it is always best to go and see your doctor so that you can get a valid medical opinion that will accurately diagnose what is wrong and what your options for treatment are in order to alleviate the pain your joints are experiencing.