Prescription for Nutritional Healing - Essay Example

Bursitis/Gout The inflammation or swelling of a bursa (the plural form is bursae), a minute fluid-filled sac that works as a gliding surface to trim down friction between tissues of the body, is called bursitis. In other words, bursitis may be comprehended as an excruciating condition which affects the small fluid-filled pads, called bursae, and it normally occurs when a bursa becomes puffed-up. As Phyllis A. Balch observes, "Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa. The bursae are small sacs filled with lubricating fluid that are located between tendons and bones in various places in the body. They help to promote muscular movement by cushioning against friction between bones and other tissues. An inflamed bursa causes pain, tenderness to the touch of the affected body part, and limitation of motion. There may be redness and swelling." (Balch, 2006, p 274). Significantly, there are about 160 bursae in human body and the major bursae can be found contiguous to the tendons near the large joints, including the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. As the healthy bursae create a smooth and more or less frictionless practical gliding surface normal movement of a human being becomes painless, whereas bursitis makes the movement difficult and painful, as it relies upon the inflamed bursa. Furthermore, when there is bursitis, movement of tendons and muscles over the inflamed bursa exacerbates the inflammation, worsening the trouble. Gout, which is sometimes an underlying cause of reoccurring bursitis, is a disease typified by the elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Historically known as 'The Disease of Kings' or 'Rich man's disease', gout causes acute pain in joints, knees, toe, etc and the patient experiences severe inflammation in various parts of the body. This paper makes a reflective analysis of bursitis/gout in order to define the disease process, history of disease, symptoms, treatments, prognosis, and other relevant information regarding the disease. In order to define the disease process of bursitis, it is essential to realize that it is a painful condition that affects bursae and this disease occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. Commonly, bursitis affects the shoulders, elbows or hips of human body, although knee, heel and the base of the big toe are all locations for bursitis, and it mostly occurs in joints that carry out normal repetitive movement. "Bursitis can be caused by injury, chronic overuse, and reactions to certain foods, airborne allergies, or calcium deposits. Tight muscles also lead to bursitis Bursitis can affect anyone, at any age. However, older people, especially athletes, are more likely than others to get this ailment. Bursitis is usually characterized by a dull, persistent ache that increases with movement" (Balch, 2006, p 274). Therefore, it becomes clear that repetitive movement and excessive pressure are the major causes of bursitis, although it is caused also by scoliosis, overuse of the shoulder joint and related muscles, and traumatic injury. In a reflective analysis of the disease process of bursitis, it becomes lucid that this disease can be caused by several factors. "The bursa is what cushions the tendon and thereby helps prevent friction between the tendon and the bone.Unfortunately, constant rubbing of the tendon over the bone with high amounts of repetitive arm, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle motion can lead to enough friction of the bursa itself to cause the inflammation and irritation of the bursa called bursitisAnother way that bursitis occurs is when compression of the bursa happens on a regular basis, such as a side sleeper who places a lot of shoulder or hip pressure when they lay down for long periods."(Bursitis information and treatment options, 2003). Significantly, in the last case, it would not take too much movement of this previously compressed area to cause friction of the bursa. Therefore, there are various essential ways in which bursitis occurs and the most frequent tendon areas that become inflamed are the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and heel. As aforementioned, repetitive use, trauma, infection, or systemic inflammatory disease can cause inflammation of a bursa called bursitis and it is essential to diagnose the problem at the earliest. Significantly, there are various important symptoms of bursitis such as localized tenderness, edema, erythema, and/or reduced movement. The most important symptoms of bursitis include pain that increases with movement of joint, tenderness of joint, limited movement in the affected areas, and swelling and redness in affected areas. In other words, symptoms of bursitis can vary from an achy pain and inflexibility to the local area of the joint, to a blazing surrounding the whole joint around the swollen bursa. "Bursitis is typically identified by localized pain or swelling, tenderness, and pain with motion of the tissues in the affected area. X-ray testing can sometimes detect clarifications in the bursa when bursitis has been chronic or recurrent." (Shiel, 2008). It is important to realize that bursitis can be either acute, i.e. a sudden, sharp pain following an injury, or chronic, i.e. a recurrent inflammation in the same area, and the proper diagnosis of the disease is essential. Analyzing the medical history as well as physical examination is important to diagnose the disease, and x-rays and blood tests are sometimes required. In the medical history, various factors such as localized tenderness, decreased range of motion or pain with movement, erythema or edema, history of repetitive movement, history of inflammatory disease, history of trauma etc are analyzed. "The diagnosis of bursitis includes a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes x-rays and blood tests are needed. Medical history will include questions about a person's recent or ongoing activity regimen and/or joint injuries. A physical examination will include the palpation (lightly pressing) of the affected area. Localized pain, inflammation and a history of unusual strain or injury two or three days before the pain begins usually indicates bursitis." (Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions: Bursitis, 2009). In certain cases, x-rays and blood tests are sometimes required for diagnosis of bursitis and the former is taken to eliminate bony abnormalities, arthritis or calcium deposits, while the latter is required to authenticate underlying conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Therefore, gout is an underlying condition of bursitis which is diagnosed in blood tests, and there is important connection between bursitis and gout. In a profound analysis of how bursitis is normally treated, it becomes evident that the treatment of any type of bursitis is determined by whether or not it involves infection. Whereas the uninfected bursitis that is usually treated with rest, ice compresses, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication, the infected bursitis calls for additional investigation and antibiotic therapy. "The initial approach to treating a bursitis is to support and protect the bursa by bracing any areas of the tendon that are being pulled on during use, as this will help stop bursa friction from occurring. It is important to loosen up the tendons, lessen the pain, minimize any bursa inflammation, and reduce the compression that can occur with lying down or sitting." (Bursitis information and treatment options, 2003). Significantly, the treatment for bursitis includes applying the R.I.C.E therapy, protecting the area, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Resting the affected joint by immobilizing it with a sling, splint or cast, icing the affected joint to reduce swelling, and compression and elevation of the affected joint are the major elements of the R.I.C.E. therapy. "Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or over-the-counter non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin can often be helpful. If the cause of the bursitis is bacterial, antibiotics will be administered." (Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions: Bursitis, 2009). It is important to realize that infectious or septic bursitis necessitates further evaluation and aggressive treatment including antibiotic therapy. Sometimes, surgical drainage and removal of the infected bursa sac are required in the treatment septic bursitis. In this analysis of the various important aspects of bursitis, it is also significant to comprehend the different types of bursitis such as calcified bursitis, epicondylitis or epitrochlear bursitis, occupational bursitis, trochanteric bursitis, the bunion, etc. Considerably, calcified bursitis usually occurs when scar tissue develops in the bursa due to the neglect of an original injury without proper treatment. Epicondylitis or epitrochlear bursitis, which affects the arm, is usually known as 'tennis elbow' or 'frozen shoulder'. This starts as a small tear in the tendon, and is more likely to occur in people whose profession requires tight gripping of an object. Occupational bursitis, an uncommon variety of bursitis, is familiar in other names such as 'house-maid's knee', 'policeman's heel', or the 'beat knee' or 'beat shoulder' of coal miners. "Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa in the hip. This may be caused by continual physical activity, by standing for a long time, or by a displacement of the hip. An aching pain that may radiate down the leg normally accompanies it. One of the most common foot ailments, the bunion, is actually a form of bursitis caused by friction; a tight-fitting shoe causes a sac on the joint of the big toe to become inflamed." (Balch, 2006, p 274). In conclusion, bursitis is an excruciating condition which affects the small fluid-filled pads, called bursae, and it usually occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. Gout is an underlying cause of reoccurring bursitis, and it is typified by the elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. In this paper, a profound analysis of bursitis was carried out in order to define the disease process, history of disease, symptoms, treatments, prognosis, and other relevant information regarding the disease. References Balch, Phyllis A. (2006). Prescription for nutritional healing. Avery. p 274. "Bursitis information and treatment options." (2003). Bursitis.org. Retrieved 19 October, 2009, from http://www.bursitis.org/ "Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions: Bursitis." (2009). Health Scout Network. Retrieved 19 October, 2009, from http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/111/main.html Shiel, William C. Jr. (2008). "Bursitis." Medicine Net. 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