Aroundtown Magazine January/February 2024 edition

HEALTH & BEAUTY
You&your
health
Joint Pain
With Good Measure Pharmacy
The older we get, the more we
notice that our bodies creak like
old wooden floorboards.
It’s common to have aches and pains in
your joints from time to time. But if your pain or
discomfort doesn’t go away in a few days, it could
be more than just ageing.
Ongoing joint pain can make life feel harder
as movement becomes limited. Simple things like
walking the dog, gardening or housework, doing
the food shop, or even just getting out of bed in a
morning can feel laboured.
“
In most cases, the best
prescription for joint pain
is exercise.
”
Joint pain can happen throughout the body,
affecting your knee, hip, shoulder, foot, hand,
elbow, or neck. There are different reasons why
you might be experiencing joint pain.
Arthritic causes:
Osteoarthritis
If you’re over 45, pain gets worse when
walking, or your body feels stiff after movement,
you may have osteoarthritis. This degenerative
joint disease is the most common form of arthritis.
Cartilage around the joints breaks down and bony
growths develop, which is what causes the pain. It
usually affects the knees, hips or hands.
Sometimes pain can vary from mild to severely
debilitating. Risk increases with age, family history,
and obesity. You’re also at an increased risk if
you’ve had a previous joint injury. Women are
more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an autoimmune disorder that attacks
the cells that line the joints. Symptoms are usually
pain or stiffness in both sides of the body that gets
8 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
worse after not moving. It can affect any age, but
is usually more common in women or people who
have a family history of RA.
There is no cure, and RA can cause flare
ups where pain is worse. Medicines to slow
down the disease are often offered, along with
physiotherapy and occupational therapy. As the
disease progresses, surgery may be needed such
as carpel tunnel or joint replacement surgery.
Gout
A common, painful form of arthritis that comes
on suddenly. A chemical called uric acid builds
up in the blood then leaks into the joints and
crystalises, causing pain, swelling and redness.
Usually found in the big toe, but can also
be in the hand, wrist or knee. It’s treated with a
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen but
may need steroids. People with gout should avoid
alcohol, red meat and shellfish in their diets as
these can make it worse.
Other causes:
Bursitis
Joints are hot, swollen, and hurt when you
press or move them. The bursa, fluid-filled sacs
that cushion joints, become inflamed. Usually
affects shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees,
and ankles. Can be caused by injury, overuse,
or infection. Rest and ice are recommended to
reduce swelling, but antibiotics may be needed if
infection is present.
Lupus
Another autoimmune disorder that can attack
joints. Along with swollen, painful joints, you may
develop a butterfly-shaped rash across your
cheeks, hair loss, trouble breathing, memory
problems, mouth sores, and dry eyes and mouth.
Sprains or strains
Usually presents as pain, swelling or bruising
around the joint, affecting ligaments and muscles.
Can be caused by repetitive exercise or moving
incorrectly; it feels like you’ve pulled or popped
something. Pain usually comes on suddenly or the
day after the injury. Use the RICE method to treat:
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate.
How to treat joint pain
In most cases, the best prescription for joint
pain is exercise. Limiting or reducing movement
can weaken muscles around the joints which can
make it worse.
Strength or resistance training is
recommended, rather than anything high impact.
Try yoga, swimming, walking or cycling. Exercise
can also reduce stiffness, aid your mobility, and
keep you at a healthy weight so you’re not adding
extra stress to weak joints.
For pain or stiffness, some people find heat
helpful, such as a warm bath, hot water bottle or
wheat bag. If there is swelling, always use a cold
compress rather than heat.
Painkillers such as paracetamol can relieve
pain, as can topical NSAIDs like ibuprofen gel.
For severe cases, you may be offered steroid
injections to reduce inflammation. These can be
given every three months with a maximum of four
a year in the same area.
Some people swear by supplements for joint
pain, but there is no medical evidence of their
benefit. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural
components of cartilage. Omega 3s and turmeric
are said to be anti-inflammatory. And calcium
and vitamin D are good for bone health. Always
consult with your GP or pharmacist before taking
any supplements as they may interfere with any
medication you’re taking.
Andrew Watson
If you have any specific health concerns,
please feel free to contact me at
Good Measure or email me at
andy@thewatsons.co.uk