It’s no secret that arthritis, overuse and injuries can leave your joints achy. But did you know that there are so many other culprits in our midst?

Low Levels of Vitamin D

According to health experts, vitamin D is important for keeping the bones strong. After all, it makes it possible for the body to absorb calcium — without vitamin D, calcium is useless.

Other than the bones, the said nutrient is also important for keeping the tissues that support the joints strong and healthy. This is why being deficient in vitamin D can leave your joints feeling achy and weak, too.

See to it that your body is supplied with vitamin D. You can spend some time under the sun as it’s an excellent source of it. You may also consume foods that are rich in vitamin D or ask your doctor about vitamin D supplement.

Excessive Alcohol Intake

In moderation, alcohol offers a number of surprising perks. Unfortunately, too much alcohol can leave you at high risk of encountering all kinds of health nightmares.

Consuming lots and lots of alcohol introduces toxins into your body, many of which can trigger inflammation. And when inflammation is around, it’s not unlikely for your joints to end up achy, swollen and stiff.

What’s more, alcohol can increase uric acid levels in your bloodstream, and such is the one to blame for a common type of arthritis referred to as gout. 

Too Much Stress

Just like alcohol, stress is something that can cause inflammation to take place within you. It’s for this reason exactly why leading a very stressful everyday life can leave your joints feeling achy and swollen.

One more reason exists why stress can be blamed for joint pain. According to experts, having high levels of stress can considerably increase your pain sensitivity — a little joint aching can seem to you like it’s the end of the world.

And by the way, stress can cause your muscles to stiffen, including those that are situated near or around your joints. Needless to say, it’s a good idea for you to regularly engage in stress-relieving activities.

A Sedentary Lifestyle

If you think that engaging in sports or exercise can spare your joints from becoming achy as you are keeping them from being overused or injured, think again — leading a sedentary lifestyle can in fact make your joints painful.

Such can be blamed on the fact that lack of physical activity can cause the joint tissue to degenerate. In addition, being inactive can cause shrinkage and weakening of the muscles that support and stabilize your joints.

So if it seems like your joints are constantly acting up, it’s a good idea for you to embrace a more active lifestyle to enjoy joints that are stronger and pain-free.

Being Obese or Overweight

There’s one more reason why having a sedentary lifestyle can cause joint pain, and that’s the fact that it can turn you into an obese or overweight individual most especially if you are not into healthy eating, too.

Having excess pounds is especially hard on the weight-bearing joints — joints that carry much of the body’s weight each time you are standing. The primary weight-bearing joints in your body are your ankles, knees and hips.

If you believe that your joint pain can be blamed on those unwanted pounds, then make them go away. Opt for healthy eating and also don’t forget to exercise on a regular basis.

WARNING: If your joint pain refuses to go away and it’s already keeping you from having a normal and productive day, it’s a good idea for you to report the problem to your doctor without delay.