I have severe joint pains

I am a 45-year-old man who has been having joint pains for the past three years. Unfortunately, the problem has persisted despite some pain tablets which I have been purchasing from a pharmacist. Kindly advise me on what to do.

Blessing (by SMS)

Joint pain plagues many people across the globe due to various causes. Arthritis can be one of them, although inflammation lies at the heart of most chronic conditions. The good news is that joint pain can be treated. Experts say you can get relief and improve your quality of life if you combine several effective strategies.

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Of course, you should also talk to your doctor about treatment options. Arthritis literally means “joint inflammation”.

Arthro = joint, itis = inflammation. In diseases classified as arthritis, inflammation may lead to joint damage (rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis) or joint damage may lead to inflammation (osteoarthritis, gout). Treatments for joint pain depend on the diagnosis.

Options include:Self-care, Medication, Physical therapy, Complementary and alternative treatments. Less often, surgery. Some of the self-care strategies include: Ice or heat, Topical pain relievers, Gentle stretching, Rest and Supportive wraps.