Many people use medications to control pain associated with inflammation. Although steroids are effective for reducing inflammation, they can cause many adverse side effects. As an alternative, patients may choose to use drugs in a class known as...
The hip consists of two main parts: The ball at the top of the thighbone fits into a rounded socket in the pelvis. Ligaments -- bands of tissue -- connect the ball to the socket, and cartilage cushions the bone surfaces from rubbing against each...
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient in the body. Niacin takes part in energy pathways in the body, along with other B vitamins. Niacin supplementation has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering effects, according to WHFoods. One of...
A fever is an abnormal temperature elevation beyond a person’s normal baseline. In general, fevers are part of the body’s immune system, an alert to the presence of infection or inflammation. According to an article in "Scientific...
Arthritis is a term that describes any inflammation of the joints. Arthritis typically leads to pain and stiffness in the affected joints and can become debilitating as it progresses. Arthritis can be caused by normal wear and tear on a joint...
Numerous anti-inflammatory drugs are available by prescription or for purchase over-the-counter. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, inhibit an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, thus impairing production of prostaglandins. Blocking...
Celebrex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. It is used in the management of joint inflammation, stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. Celecoxib is specifically used in the management of the following medical conditions:...
Diabetic neuropathy causes damage to the nerves after the patient has had diabetes for many years, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). The diabetic nerve pain can occur in the patient's hands, arms, toes, fingers,...
Little scientific research has been done on the health benefits of borage, but the leaves, blooms and oil from the borage plant have historically been used to treat a number of different ailments, including eczema, joint and muscle pain, low milk...
Osteoarthritis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation in or around joints in the body. It can be caused by a number of issues such as repetitive stress on joints, injury, decreased strength around joints and underlying medical...
If you have just finished a large or spicy meal and experience stomach pain, bloating, nausea or a burning sensation in your chest, you could have indigestion. Additional indigestion triggers include stress, eating too quickly, consuming caffeine...
Pain relieving medication offers the easiest and cheapest way to treat the pain of a bulging disc in your neck. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve inflammation and promote healing. Depending on the severity of the bulging disc, you...
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or NSAIDS, celebrex or celecoxib, produces an effect by temporarily relieving pain and inflammation. The drug blocks the creation of the chemical,...
A complex form of arthritis, gout commonly affects the joints at the base of the big toe, instep, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. The intense pain of a gout attack results when high levels of uric acid, a byproduct of protein metabolism,...
Arthritis is a condition that is characterized by swelling, pain and inflammation in the joints. Causes include infection, bone destruction and autoimmune diseases. Patients with this condition develop severe joint pain that worsens with...
Blood pressure is the measure of the force that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. Optimal blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association, is a systolic reading (the pressure while the heart contracts) of less than 120...
The National Institutes of Health characterize sunburn as a reddening of the skin due to ultraviolet light. It often develops a few hours after exposure, and can take up to 24 hours for the full effects. Besides redness, sunburn causes tenderness,...
Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease caused by inflammation of the digestive tract. One symptom of Crohn's disease is pain, which often results from swelling of the intestines or blockages in the digestive tract caused by scar...
Swollen joints are often the result of an inflammatory condition. Chronic swelling, stiffness and mobility are apparent in more than 100 types of arthritis. The disease limits nearly 19 million adults in the U.S. and the U.S. Centers for Disease...
Damage to the structures of the knee commonly causes inflammation and swelling, also called fluid on the knee. The swelling may occur suddenly after a traumatic injury to the knee, or it may be a long-term problem for patients with gout or...
Herpes labialis, more commonly known as cold sores, is an infection of the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus type I. Also referred to as fever blisters, this condition is characterized by pus-filled lesions that develop around the lips,...
If you experience neck pain, walking may relax your muscles while increasing blood flow to the area, which may alleviate your pain. Swimming removes pressure from your neck while you exercise, any may treat your neck pain by improving blood flow...
Tension headaches cause mild to moderate pain, often described as a tight band or vise around the head that lasts between 30 minutes and 1 week, according to the National Headache Foundation. Episodic tension headaches occur randomly and are...
Approximately 70 percent of migraine sufferers are female, and 60 to 70 percent of those women report a relationship between their menstrual periods and their headaches, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This may be due to the hormonal changes...
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that occurs when cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints, wears away. As a result, the bones of the joint rub together causing swelling, inflammation and pain. It can affect any joint in the body but...
Joint pain, also known as arthritis or arthralgia, is a blanket term used to describe any form of discomfort in the joints. Joint pain can range from mild to severe. It may be caused by a number of factors, including age, injury or disease. Though...
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed medicines to treat reactive arthritis. In most cases, patients seem to react well to these, which is why doctors are usually weary of moving on to more invasive...
Benzoyl peroxide is the main over-the-counter treatment for acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It reduces levels of the bacteria that live on the skin that plays a role in acne formation and sloughs away dead skin cells to...
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac around the heart, and is related to illness and diseases like lupus. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of pericarditis in this health video.
