Bursitis Research
Bursitis is a condition in which the bursa becomes inflamed and painful from gout, infection, chronic overuse, or rheumatoid arthritis. The bursa is a flat sac containing fluid that aids movement of joints and muscles. The shoulder is usually the part that becomes affected, however it occasionally happens to bursas in elbows, hips, pelvis, knees, toes and heels. The bursas are located at points of friction mostly where tendons and muscles are above bones. The bursa has very little fluids until it becomes inflamed.
The symptoms of bursitis are inflammation and pain in the affected location. It also is painful when movement is involved in the area. When it affects the shoulder, it becomes painful to lift up the arm. Acute bursitis comes suddenly and is painful to the touch. Acute bursitis caused by gout or an infection may be more painful and will be swollen and red. Several injuries or reoccurrence of bursitis could cause chronic bursitis which could be a dangerous condition causing the muscles to become useless.
Acute bursitis should be under a doctor's care and if the bursitis is infected, it should be drained and antibiotics given to clear up the infection. Noninfectious acute bursitis may be treated with rest and immobilization of the joint for a period until it begins to heal. The only drugs usually given at this period are non-steroidal ones such as ibuprophen or naproxen. If stronger drugs are needed a corticosteroid can be injected into the bursa. In treating chronic bursitis emphasis should be on healthy nutrition and exercise of the joint and other types of exercise for body conditioning. Pain in chronic bursitis can be treated with naproxen or ibuprophen but the underlying cause should be treated with proper nutrition, weight control and an exercise program. The exercise program may be carried out by a physical therapist that will be able to insure the right exercises are done to restore weakened muscles in the affected area.
If the cause of bursitis is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, it should respond to a healthy life style; however, exercise of the affected joints may have to be limited even though proper nutrition will help. Healthy nutrition means to eat no refined glucose or carbohydrates, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cold water fish, lean protein but very little red meat. Up to nine servings of fruits and vegetables can be taken but keep portions small so that total daily calories do not exceed 1,800 for women and 2,000 for men.
