Bone infection or bone pain is extreme tenderness or discomfort in one or several bones. This condition is different from muscle pain or joint pain as the person feels the pain whether he is moving or not. Bone pain is linked to an illness that affects normal function. This pain is considered as deep and often gets worse at night or when you move the affected limb. Bone pain is common in middle-aged or older people. When a person ages, the body faces many types of changes. Bone density and muscle size reduce when your body is less active. Due to this, the body becomes prone to issues like bone fractures or overuse injuries. Bone infection mainly appears due to reduced bone density or any injury. But it can be a sign of any serious underlying condition.
What are the common causes of bone pain?
Injury
This is the most common reason behind bone pain. Bone pain mainly appears when a person faces any kind of trauma such as a car accident or fall. Due to this the bone may break or fracture. Any kind of damage to the bone can cause bone pain.
Mineral deficit
To keep the bones strong, it removes a good amount of vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D. A deficiency of calcium or vitamin D can cause osteoporosis which can cause bone pain.
Bone cancer
In this condition, the cancer cells originate in the bone itself. This condition is very rare and can cause bone pain. The bone starts aching when cancer disrupts or destroys the normal bone structure.
Metastatic cancer
This cancer started in another part of the body but spread to other body parts. Some of them can be breast cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, etc that can spread to bones and cause bone pain.
Illnesses that disturb blood supply
Conditions such as sickle cell anemia affect the blood supply to the bone. The bone tissues start dying due to the unavailability of a steady blood supply. This makes the bone weak and causes pain.
Infection
If an infection spreads to the bone, it can cause osteomyelitis. This is a type of infection that can cause bone pain and can kill bone cells.
Leukemia
This is bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is responsible for the production of bone cells. People with leukemia often face bone pain mainly in the legs.
Common symptoms of bone pain
The most common symptom of bone pain is discomfort while moving. The other symptoms of bone pain depend on the causes.
Injury: Swelling, visible break, grinding noise
Osteoporosis: Stooped picture, back pain
Bone cancer: Headache, chest pain, seizures, bone fractures, shortness of breath
Mineral deficiency: Tissue and muscle pain, cramp fatigue, weakness, cramps, fatigue, sleep disturbances
Infection: Redness, swelling, warmth at the injection site, loss of appetite, nausea, streaks from the infection site
Leukemia: Pale skin, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats
Reduces blood supply: Loss of joint function, joint pain, weakness
Bone pain in pregnancy
Many pregnant women face pelvic bone pain. This pain is also known as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). In this condition, the pain occurs in the pubic bone. The woman can also face pain and stiffness in the pelvic joints. This condition doesn’t reduce until after delivery. But early treatment can reduce the symptoms. Common treatments to reduce PPGP are physical therapy, water exercises, manual therapy to move the joints correctly, and common exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. If the PPGP is still abnormal then look for homeopathic medicine NYC.
Common treatment options for bone pain
The treatment options for bone pain depend on the causes. If the bone pain is appearing due to an underlying condition then treating the condition will reduce the pain. Doctors often suggest providing rest to the affected area. If the person is experiencing too much pain then the doctors may suggest pain relievers. If the bone pain is appearing due to infection then your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Pain relievers
These are the most commonly prescribed medications to reduce bone pain. These medications help reduce pain but won’t provide any cure for the underlying condition. OTC medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to reduce pain. Your doctor may prescribe medicines that can paracetamol or morphine to reduce moderate or severe bone pain.
Antibiotics
If the bone pain is appearing due to bone infection then the doctor may prescribe powerful antibiotics to kill the germs. Common antibiotics to reduce bone pain are clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, or vancomycin.
Homeopathy
Dynamic treatment like homeopathy can be very helpful in treating bone pain. The homeopath will ask certain questions regarding possible causes, your diet, and your lifestyle. He will prescribe medicines that can reduce the pain. These medications can also help in treating underlying conditions. Homeopathic remedies are safe and won’t provide any harmful side effects to the body.
Nutritional supplements
If bone pain is appearing due to osteoporosis then the doctor may suggest improving calcium and vitamin D levels. He will prescribe nutritional supplements to treat mineral deficiency.
Cancer treatments
When a person is facing bone pain due to cancer then treatment becomes difficult. You need to treat cancer to reduce bone pain and other symptoms. The doctor may suggest bisphosphonates that prevent bone damage in people with metastatic bone cancer.
Surgery
Your doctor may suggest surgery to remove bone parts that died due to any kind of infection. You may also need surgery to remove tumors caused by cancers. For severe cases, the doctor may suggest reconstructive surgery.
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