Where There Is No Doctor 2011 173
ARTHRITIS (PAINFUL, INFLAMED JOINTS)
Most chronic joint pain, or arthritis, in older people cannot be cured completely.
However, the following offer some relief:
♦ Rest. If possible, avoid hard work and heavy exercise that bother the painful
joints. If the arthritis causes some fever, it helps to take naps during the day.
♦ Place cloths soaked in hot water on the painful joints (see p. 195).
♦ Aspirin helps relieve pain; the dose for arthritis is higher than that for calming
other pain. Adults should take 3 tablets, 4 times a day. If your ears begin
to ring, take less. To avoid stomach problems caused by aspirin, always
take it with food, or a large glass of water. If stomach pain continues, take
the aspirin not only with food and lots of water, but also with a spoonful of an
antacid such as Maalox or Gelusil.
♦ It is important to do simple exercises to help maintain or increase the range of
motion in the painful joints.
If only one joint is swollen and feels hot, it may be
infected—especially if there is fever. Use an antibiotic such as
penicillin (see p. 350) and if possible see a health worker.
Painful joints in young people and children may be a sign
of other serious illness, such as rheumatic fever (p. 310) or
tuberculosis (p. 179). For more information on joint pain, see
Disabled Village Children, Chapters 15 and 16.
BACK PAIN
Back pain has many causes. Here are some:
Chronic upper back pain with cough
and weight loss may be TB of the
lungs (p. 179).
Standing or sitting with
the shoulder drooped
is a common cause of
backache.
Mid back pain in a child
may be TB of the spine,
especially if the backbone
has a hump or lump.
Low back pain that is worse the day
after heavy lifting or straining may be
a sprain.
Severe low back pain that first comes
suddenly when lifting or twisting may
be a slipped disc, especially if one leg
or foot becomes painful or numb and
weak. This can result from a pinched
nerve.
In older people, chronic back pain
is often arthritis.
Pain in the upper right back may be
from a gallbladder problem (p. 329).
Acute (or chronic) pain here may be a
urinary problem (p. 234).
Low backache is normal for some
women during menstrual periods or
pregnancy (p. 248).
Very low back pain sometimes comes
from problems in the uterus, ovaries,
or rectum.