what is arthralgia

Arthralgia is a medical term that refers to joint pain. It is a symptom of injury, infection, illness, or an allergic reaction to medication. The causes of arthralgia are varied and range from degenerative and destructive processes such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries to inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints, such as bursitis. Arthralgia can be acute or chronic, depending on the duration of the pain. The primary symptom of arthralgia is joint pain, which may be described as dull, sharp, stabbing, shooting, burning, throbbing, or aching. Pain management may include stretching exercises, over-the-counter pain medications, prescription pain medication, or other treatments deemed appropriate for the symptoms. Capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers, may relieve joint pain from arthritis and other conditions.