Bursitis
Bursitis is a painful medical condition which affects the small, fluid-filled sacs known as bursae that cushion the tendons, bones, and muscles near the joints. It develops when there is inflammation in the bursae. The commonly affected areas for bursitis are in the elbow, shoulder, and hip. However it can also affect base of the big toe, knee, and heel. It develops in those joints which perform repetitive motion. In maximum cases, bursitis pain goes away in few weeks with the aid of proper treatment, but persistent flare-ups of bursitis are also common.
Bursitis is caused by the repetitive positions or motions that put pressure on the bursae. For instance:
- Lifting something over head repetitively
- Leaning on elbows for long time
- Extensive kneeling
- Injury to the affected area
Bursitis can occur in anyone. However some of the factors increase the risk of developing bursitis:
- Age: With aging risk of bursitis also increases.
- Occupations or hobbies: The people who are involved in the activities that need repetitive motion or pressure on specific bursae have more risk of developing bursitis. For examples gardening, carpet laying, or painting.
- Other medical conditions: Medical conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes or gout increase the risk of bursitis.
A person with bursitis may observe signs and symptoms as:
- Feeling of stiffness or pain on the affected joint
- Swelling and redness on the affected joint
- Inability to move a joint
- Sharp pain while exercise
- Fever
Generally doctors are able to diagnose bursitis by physical examination. However following tests are done to diagnose bursitis if required:
- Imaging tests: X-ray images cannot diagnose bursitis. Howver ultrasound or MRI may help if bursitis is not diagnosed by physical examination.
- Lab tests: Blood tests or fluid analysis from the inflamed bursa can help to diagnose the cause of joint inflammation and pain.
Generally bursitis gets better by its own. Traditional measures as ice, rest, and taking a pain reliever provides relieve. But, if these measures fail then following treatments are required:
Medication for Bursitis
An antibiotic is prescribed when the bursitis is due to an infection.
Therapy for Bursitis
Exercises and physical therapy can strengthen the muscles of the affected area so as to relieve the pain and inhibit the recurrence.
Injections for Bursitis
An injection of corticosteroid drug into the bursa can ease pain and inflammation in hip or shoulder. This treatment provides quick relief in maximum cases and only one injection is sufficient for the treatment.
Assistive Device for Bursitis
For some time you can use walking cane or other assistive devices to prevent pressure on the affected area.
Surgery for Bursitis
Surgical removal of affected bursa is rarely required.
Alternative Treatments for Bursitis
- Ayurvedic medicines: Herbs like boswellia, guggul, licorice, and five-leaved chaste tree are the major part of Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment for Bursitis.
- Homeopathic medicines: Arnica Montana is the primary remedy in the homeopathic treatment of bursitis. However, other remedies can also be useful as Sulphur, Bryonia, Ruta Graveolens, Kalmia Latifolia and Sanguinaria.
- Acupuncture: for the treatment of bursitis acupuncture can also be considered along with other remedies.
- Kairali massage: Ayurvedic massage plays a great role in providing relief from the symptoms of bursitis.
Dietary Supplement for Bursitis
Dietary supplements include minerals, herbs, vitamins, and many other products that have a crucial role in the maintenance of health. They are accessible as pills, energy bars, drinks, capsules, and powders. For bursitis GLME is the best dietary supplement for bursitis.
- GLME (Green Lipped Mussel Extract): GLME (Green lipped mussel extract) is the most recommended dietary supplement for bursitis which is extracted from the green lipped mussels. Green lipped mussel is a shell fish which is grown in the farms of New Zealand. It has shown a great role for the treatment of bursitis.
GLME (Green lipped mussel extract) has unique role in the treatment and management of Bursitis as below:
- It lubricates the joints and thus increases the joint mobility. It prevents the joint deterioration and repairs the cartilages which are damaged.
- It protects the stomach lining from the severe reactions of medicines that are used in the treatment of bursitis.
- It decreases the swelling by controlling the process of inflammation through several mechanisms.
Seatone is the best preparation of GLME (green lipped mussel extract) which is accessible as capsules. Seatone is the safest GLME product because:
- It is extracted only from the top quality of fresh mussels at their peak condition. Their harvesting is done at the best times of year.
- A number of tests are conducted to check the toxicity of Seatone. Seatone is made available to you after several tests and trials.
Seatone is better than all the other treatments for bursitis because:
- Seatone do not show any side effects. On the other side the antibiotics used in the treatment of bursitis show a number of side effects.
- Other treatments of bursitis provide fast but temporary relief from pain and swelling. But Seatone provides gradual but progressive relief.
- Seatone is safe even at higher doses but the other medicines for bursitis can show unpleasant effects at higher doses.
Seatone is better than all the other treatments for bursitis because:
- Seatone do not show any side effects. On the other side the antibiotics used in the treatment of bursitis show a number of side effects.
- Other treatments of bursitis provide fast but temporary relief from pain and swelling. But Seatone provides gradual but progressive relief.
- Seatone is safe even at higher doses but the other medicines for bursitis can show unpleasant effects at higher doses.
All types of bursitis cannot be prevented but you can decrease the risk by changing certain things as below:
- Use kneeling pads to decreases the pressure on knees in case your job requires kneeling a lot.
- Bend knees when you lift to avoid extra stress on the bursae of hips.
- To reduce the stress on bursae of shoulders use a wheeled cart to shift heavy objects.
- Taking frequent breakswhile doing repetitive tasks.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Exercising can help to strengthen the muscles.
- Before strenuous activities warm up or do stretchingto avoid injury of joints.
Most of the people respond to the treatment in three to four days. However if the bursitis is infectious then the affected area may need to be drained with a needle in every three to five days until the complete elimination of infection.
Disclaimer : All information on this website is only for general educational purpose and it cannot substitute the consultation with a doctor. It is highly suggested that you seek advice from doctor to determine your requirements. Women who are in their gestation or lactation period and children should not take any supplement without the consultation of their doctor.