While this condition may strike anyone of any age it most often occurs in adults older than 40 who have certain risk factors that increase chances of aggravating their bursae.
What Are My Risk Factors For Developing Bursitis?
While bursitis can strike anyone, the following risk factors increase chances of developing bursitis:
● Age: Bursitis occurrence increases with age, with most bursitis cases diagnosed in adults older than 40
● Occupations or Hobbies: If your job or regular hobby requires you to perform repetitive motions or to put regular pressure on a particular bursa, you increase your risk of developing bursitis. Examples include certain construction specialties, gardening, sports and playing musical instruments.
● Medical Conditions: If you suffer from certain systemic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout or diabetes, you are at an increased risk of developing bursitis
What Are the Symptoms of Bursitis?
Bursitis unpleasant symptoms, the most common of which is pain. Among the other common symptoms of bursitis, patients often experience:
● Soreness or stiffness in the affected joint
● Pain, especially when the joint is moved or when pressure is applied
● Swelling or redness of the affected joint
● When the shoulder joint is affected, there may be a severe loss of motion, called adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder, which results from the immobility and pain associated with the condition.
Bursitis symptoms may develop gradually over a long period or may come on suddenly and be quite severe.
Many times, bursitis can be treated at home. However, there is a form of bursitis, called septic bursitis, which is triggered by an infection. This form of bursitis requires urgent medical attention. Severe cases also require medical intervention, so it’s important to seek treatment from a healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms:
● Disabling joint pain that interferes with your day-to-day activities or pain that persists for more than two weeks
● Recurring episodes of bursitis
● Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash over the affected joint
● Red streaking under the skin, especially if there is broken skin over the affected joint (cellulitis infection)
● Chills
● A fever (high fevers accompany septic bursitis)
● Sharp or shooting pain, particularly when you exert yourself
How Can I Treat My Bursitis?
Bursitis can often be treated at home using natural remedies. Among them:
RICE Method
This method, also commonly used for treating sprains and strains, is a common way to treat bursitis symptoms. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. In the first 24 to 48 hours after symptom onset, rest the injured joint and avoid any activities that may aggravate bursitis further. You can use a sling or crutches if necessary to rest the injured body part.
In the first 48 hours after symptom onset, you should ice the affected joint for approximately 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for a period of one hour, twice a day. You can use ice packs or bags of frozen vegetables but should never ice the injured joint for more than 20 minutes because you will not aid in healing and may cause tissue damage.
If you develop chronic bursitis, alternate ice packs and moist heat on the affected joint. One easy way to get moist heat for your affected joint is by using a disposable baby diaper, moistened and then heated in the microwave (be careful not to overheat to avoid burns!). This diaper then can be wrapped and secured around the joints and is reusable.
Compression may help ease the pain and discomfort of bursitis and may keep you from further aggravating the affected bursa. Using an Ace bandage, wrap the affected area by overlapping the bandage and making sure that it is snug without cutting off circulation to the affected area.
If bursitis has affected an extremity, elevation may help ease the pain and swelling that can accompany symptoms.
Acid-Forming Foods
If you have developed chronic bursitis or pain has lasted for several months, you most likely have calcium deposits. These deposits may be the result of a calcium deficiency. When calcium levels in the blood dip, the body responds by pulling calcium from the bones and this calcium may be deposited into the affected bursa as a means to protect and strengthen these areas.
Some experts believe that the calcium deposits can be slowly, naturally removed by altering the body’s pH level to become more acidic. Consuming more acid-forming foods or taking acid-calcium products are natural methods of minimizing the calcium deposits in your body.
DMSO
DMSO, a compound made from wood pulp, is believed to be another effective remedy for bursitis. This compound is applied topically, using a 70 percent solution on the affected joint using a cotton ball or cloth and is applied three times daily to ease the swelling and discomfort of bursitis. After several days, cut your applications down to twice a day, and then to once daily. This compound is sold at full strength in many health food stores and should be diluted before use. The product will become hot when mixed with distilled water -- allow it to cool before applying it to the skin.
This compound is said to cause a warm or stinging sensation and give users a garlic-like taste in the mouth. It also may damage synthetic fibers, so be careful not to get the compound on clothing or upholstery!
An Ounce of Prevention
Preventive measures are the most effective treatments for bursitis. When possible, make efforts to build up strength in joints and muscles that perform repetitive motions, and when your body signals you to stop, don’t push yourself further.