Causes of Joint Pain and Loss of Appetite

Joint pain and loss of appetite are symptoms that occur together in several different conditions. Joint pain is the feeling of inflammation, achiness, soreness, or stiffness in the area where two bones articulate or come together. If this symptom is combined with a decreased appetite, it points a doctor in a different direction than joint pain that occurs alone.

Flu

The flu is an illness, or collection of symptoms, that is caused by a variety of different viruses. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can even be lethal. According to Flu.gov, most people recover from a flu without complications, but certain groups of people are at higher risk, including those with compromised immune systems. There are approximately 36,000 flu related deaths each year in the US. Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever
  
• coughing
  
• sore throat
  
• congestion
  
• joint pain
  
• body achiness
  
• loss of appetite
  
• nausea
  
• vomiting

Most people are naturally immune to the flu virus, but there are also vaccines available to help prevent seasonal flu. Some strains of flu virus are much more dangerous and infectious than others.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritisis is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lining, or synovium, of the joints, most commonly in the hands and feet. The inflammation eventually leads to bone destruction and, if not diagnosed and treated early, can lead to loss of movement and function. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the true cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown and there is no cure. Many medications can limit the extent of the damage. RA is a systemic disease that can affect many different organs as well as the joints. Loss of appetite and joint pain are common symptoms that occur with RA.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect many different parts of your body 2. It primarily causes inflammation and degeneration of the joints in the spine and in the sacroiliac joints, located in the pelvis. Stiffness, loss of appetite, fatigue, inflammation in the eye and bowel are also common. Genetic factors are suspected as a cause for AS, but the condition is not understood and no cure is known, according to MayoClinic.com 4.

Lupus

Lupus is also a chronic, systemic inflammatory condition that can affect many different parts of the body. Every individual case of lupus can be different. According to the National Institutes of Health, lupus is an autoimmune disease, the cause of which is not fully understood 3. It can be mild in nature or can be lethal and treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms.