A few tips to help ease the pain of bursitis and gout

Pain can put an end to even the best of days. Often, the simplest remedies available to you are the best. Here's a look at how to quickly and effectively deal with bursitis and gout:

• Stop doing whatever you think put your bursae over the edge. You might even want to go to the drugstore for an elastic bandage or brace that will limit some of the joint motion until the inflammation is gone.
• Apply an ice pack or a bag of ice wrapped in cloth to the painful area for 15 to 20 minutes every four to six hours for three or four days, until the swelling has gone down. Thereafter, moist heat is generally helpful.
• Pain-relieving NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve pain and inflammation. Follow the dosage instructions on the label unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Call your doctor if the pain and swelling don't diminish in a couple of weeks, or if you have an unusually large amount of swelling. Don't fool around with a fever or sharp shooting pains, either. If you already have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or lupus, or take medications that may make you more vulnerable to infection, seek medical attention early.

If bursitis threatens to ruin your day, you're eager for fast relief. Here's three suggestions to ease pain quickly:

1. Heat. If your joint's no longer inflamed but still painful, apply a warm, wet towel or a heating pad (preferably with moist heat) to the spot for up to 20 minutes at a stretch. That will ease both pain and stiffness.
2. Elevation. By raising whatever joint's affected, you help reduce the swelling, which in turn reduces your discomfort.
3. Menthol cream. Head to the drugstore for a cream or ointment containing menthol: It will help relieve pain and dilate the blood vessels, allowing more blood to reach the site. You might also try a capsaicin cream; they're made from the ingredient that gives chili peppers their heat.

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), taken as directed on the package, can help ease both pain and inflammation.
• Let your doctor see it. He can confirm that the condition is gout and not an infection (the two can present in a very similar fashion) and offer medications to lower the levels of uric acid in your blood. Untreated, gout can damage the joint and lead to more pain.

Both bursitis and gout can be serious health conditions. These tips are meant to remedy ailments that have already been diagnosed. Be sure to get checked-out by your doctor if you think you are suffering from either condition.