Treatment Interventions For Kinds Of Bursitis
Bursitis is the irritation of a bursa. A bursa (the plural form is bursae) is a tiny fluid-filled sac that serves as a moving surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. Within the human body there are approximatley 160 bursae. The major bursae are adjacent to the tendons near the larger joints, such as shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Bursitis symptoms manifest themselves in many ways, and can be quite painful.
Aggravating Knee Bursitis
Bursitis can occur due to many reasons such as excessive friction in a joint, or pressure on a particular body part. Frequent flexing, bending or twisting of a joint also heightens the risk of developing bursitis in that region. Infection is also one of the reasons for bursitis.
The treatment of any kind of bursitis depends on whether or not it involves infection. Bursitis that is not infected (from injury or underlying rheumatic disease) is generally treated with ice compresses, rest, and for those that choose medication, anti-inflammatory pain medications.
Here are some of these treatment strategies in detail:
Rest and protect the affected area:
One of the most common methods in treating bursitis is to safeguard the affected area from any kind of pressure. It is also advisable to reduce the activity of the affected joint, as movement and pressure on the inflamed area will increase and prolong the symptoms.
Ice Packs:
Using a cold compress on the inflamed area is also an effective method for treating bursitis. The ice will help to manage the inflammation of the affected area and decrease the swelling. By minimizing inflammation and swelling, the bursa will return to its usual condition and perform its usual function.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications:
To remedy bursitis, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn, Celebrex are also effective. These medications will help in decreasing the pain and swelling. It isadviseable to consult a health practitioner before taking pain relievers.
Cortisone Injections:
If symptoms of bursitis are prolonged, an injection of cortisone may be taken into consideration. A powerful anti-inflammatory medication, Cortisone
is not given by mouth but is injected directly in the inflamed portion. Cortisone injections can be particularly helpful for cases where the situation does not improve with rest.
Compression:
An ace bandage to compress the affected joints aids in relieving the pain.
Elevation:
Elevate the affected body part above the level of the heart. This will prevent blood from accumulating in the bursa, which will help to reduce the resulting inflammation.
Steroids:
In some cases where bursitis symptoms are severe, or if the person fails to respond to other treatments, doctors may advise the use of steroid medication. Steroids block the flow of prostaglandin, a chemical in the body which causes inflammation of bursa. Steroids are commonly injected directly into the affected body part.
Long-term use of steroids can have many side effects, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and higher risk for infection.
Antibiotics:
When tests confirm that the cause of your bursitis is infection, doctors will prescribe oral antibiotics. Individuals must complete the prescribed course of antibiotics, even if your condition improves. This will not only help in reducing bursitis pain, but will also prevent the infection from returning. If you prefer not to take antibiotics, there are several very potent herbs that have antibiotic functions. For more information ask at your local health food store.
by: Anne K West, Ph.D.
How to Raise Cancer Awareness Sinus Infections - The Best Treatments To Cure Sinusitis Oxygen Mediators of Asbestos Induced Responses Laboratory Experiments and High Concentrations of Asbestos Fibers High Resolution CT Scans and Workers Exposed to Hazardous Asbestos Asbestos Related Death is not Merely an American Phenomenon Exposure to High Levels of Asbestos Can be a Death Sentence All Pericardial Mesothelioma Information Faq All You Need To Know Concerning Asbestos Siding Water Treatment Devices Are Better Options Than Expensive Bottled Water Stages Of Breast Cancers Treatment Options For Breast Cancer Endometriosis Treatment