As we become older, the cartilage in our joints begins to wear thin, just like our patience. For a lot of us, this is a major cause of joint pain. And because we rely on our joints for practically everything except thinking, this can be the worst pain of all.

In many cases our pain is caused by arthritis. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis but the most common source of joint pain is called osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cushioning (cartilage) between the bones wears away in the joints. As osteoarthritis gets worse, the cartilage disappears and bone ends up rubbing on bone. Ouch! Bony spurs or growths usually form around the joint. The ligaments and muscles around the joint loosen and become weaker. Other types of arthritis associated with joint pain can be Rheumatoid Arthritis and Septic Arthritis.

Infectious diseases like rheumatic fever, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, bursitis, and influenza can also cause pain in the joints. Particularly nasty is lupus or SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) which causes soreness and inflammation of joints and if left untreated can be devastating. If pain is accompanied with a headache, tiredness, and a bullseye rash, you could have Lyme’s disease, which is spread through a tick bite.

If the pain is sharply located around the feet, ankles or legs, you could have a case of gout. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected. Gout foot joint pain occurs due to a build up of uric acid in your joints, so you need to avoid eating foods that are high in uric acid, such as peas and spinach. It’s no wonder that Popeye was always ready for a fight. The pain frequently starts during the night and is often described as throbbing, crushing or excruciating. The joint appears warm and red and is usually very tender (it hurts to lay a sheet or blanket over it). Diet changes sometimes relieve gout.

And, of course, obesity can also cause pain. It’s all that added pressure on your bones and muscles, and inactivity of the muscles and joints. Changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables, making sure the water intake is at least 8 glasses per day, and including an exercise program in your daily activity will help alleviate both of these causes. Easy to say, hard to do.

There are many causes of foot joint pain, which may include structural deficiencies – like poor arches - and infections. Your toes may be misaligned. If you walk like a duck, chances are your feet hurt. The vast majority of foot joint pain is caused by arthritis, bursitis and trauma – and cheap shoes like flip-flops. Wearing the correct shoes is very important, especially for females who like to wear high heels. You may need to have extra support in your shoes or even have arch inserts if you have flat feet. Icing down your feet also helps to relieve foot joint pain. In this case, having cold feet is a good thing.

Many times an ice pack will bring joint pain relief. Fill a zipper plastic bag with ice and loosely wrap it in a towel. Place the pack on the joint for about 15 minutes.

Rub your joints with a topical analgesic, ointment or liniment to help soothe the discomfort. There are many on the market that don’t make you smell like an old person, and they can give a cold, tingly feeling without using the ice packs.

Relaxing in a whirlpool bath or hot tub does wonders. If you don't have time for a long bath at least go for a warm shower. The person you live with will thank you.