Health Tip: Diagnosing Joint Pain
Joint pain has many possible causes, ranging from injury to arthritis.
To help your doctor diagnose a cause, it's important to fully discuss the details of your condition.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this checklist:
- Which joint hurts, and which parts of the body are affected.
- If the pain just began, and whether you've felt it before.
- If the pain started severely or slowly, and if it is persistent or fluctuates.
- Any recent injuries, fevers or illnesses.
- What makes the pain feel better, and what makes it feel worse.
- Any other symptoms, including numbness or stiffness.
- Times of day that the pain is better, and times that it feels worse.
Health Tip: Tame Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis can't always be prevented, but you can take steps to keep joints healthier and moving freely.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions:
- Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three days each week.
- Maintain a healthy body weight, as being overweight can increase your risk of developing arthritis.
- If you have any signs or symptoms of arthritis, see your doctor promptly to begin early treatment.
- Do your best to protect joints from injury. Be careful when playing sports, and avoid repetitive bending of the joints.
No comments:
Post a Comment