Background

Low back pain can be caused by a number of things such as muscle strain or spasm, joint problems, disk problems, or sprain of ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone). The most common low back pain is muscular, caused from overexertion or lifting. A slipped disk is when the disk between the bones bulges out. This may be caused from twisting while lifting.

Self-Care Tips

Treatment of back problems must be directed at the cause. There are many possible causes of back pain and the following self-care tips are general recommendations.

• Avoid sports or activities that require a twisting motion or lifting. Lying on your back on a flat surface with your knees bent can treat muscle spasms. This will help take pressure off your back. Place a pillow between your knees when lying on your side.
• Heat applied to the painful area will provide relief. The heat can help relax the muscle and should be applied 20-30 minutes at a time. Ice and massage may also be helpful.
• Coated aspirin and medicines like ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce swelling. These medicines may cause upset stomach or other stomach problems and should be taken with food. They should be avoided if you have a history of ulcer disease.

When To Seek Treatment

Back pain that results from a fall or a blow to the back needs immediate attention.

Back pain also needs to be evaluated if ...

• there is a fever
• there is pain with urination
• there is blood in your urine
• there is frequent urination
• there is loss of bladder control
• pain travels down the leg or below the knees
• there is abdominal pain
• the pain is not getting better
• there is numbness in the leg, foot, or groin

Background

Ankle and foot pain can be caused by a number of things such as muscle strain, joint problems, arthritis, bursitis (fluid filled sacs), or sprain of ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone) or tendons (tissue that connects muscle to bone). The most common cause of ankle and foot pain is usually a ligament injury.

Self-Care Tips

Treatment of ankle and foot problems must be directed at the cause. There are many possible causes of ankle and foot pain and the following self-care tips are general recommendations.

• Avoid repeating the activity that caused or contributed to the injury. Rest the ankle and foot to allow time to recover. Avoid activities that require standing or walking for long periods of time. Avoid weight-bearing activities when possible.

• Ice may reduce pain and swelling, and can be applied to the area of pain for 30 minutes at a time. Protect the skin by placing a towel between the skin and the ice. Elevating the leg above the level of the heart will also help decrease swelling. Heat may be applied twenty-four hours after an injury.

• Gentle stretching and range of motion exercises will prevent stiffness. Shoes with flat soles will provide stability and give support to the foot. Shoes with high heels should be avoided.

• Coated aspirin and medicines like ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce swelling. These medicines may cause upset stomach or other stomach problems and should be taken with food. They should be avoided if you have a history of ulcer disease.

When To Seek Treatment

Trauma pain in the ankle and foot that prohibits standing or walking needs attention.

Ankle and foot pain also needs to be evaluated if...

• there is a fever
• there is swelling or redness
• the joint is not stable (it moves in an unnatural way)
• the pain is not getting better

Background

Elbow pain can be caused by a number of things such as muscle strain or spasm, joint problems, or sprain of ligaments or tendons (tissue that connects muscle to bone). The most common cause of elbow pain is usually ligament or tendon injury. The pain is caused by overworking the muscles and the tendon becomes inflamed.

Self-Care Tips

Treatment of elbow problems must be directed at the cause. There are many possible causes of elbow pain and the following self-care tips are general recommendations.

• Avoid repeating the activity that caused or contributed to the injury. Rest the arm to give it time to recover. Elevation above the level of the heart will decrease the swelling.

• Ice may reduce pain and swelling and can be applied to the area of pain for 30 minutes at a time. Protect your skin by placing a towel between your elbow and the ice. Gentle stretching will help prevent stiffness and decrease scar tissue.

• Coated aspirin and medicines like ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce swelling. These medicines may cause upset stomach or other stomach problems and should be taken with food. They should be avoided if you have a history of ulcer disease.

When To Seek Treatment

Elbow pain that results from trauma and causes a deformity needs immediate attention.

Elbow pain also needs to be evaluated if ...

• there is a fever
• there is swelling or redness
• the joint is not stable (it moves in an unnatural way)

Background

Knee pain can be caused by a number of things such as muscle strain or spasm, joint problems, arthritis, bursitis (fluid filled sacs), or sprain of ligaments or tendons (tissue that connects muscle to bone). The most common cause of knee pain is usually a problem inside the knee.

Self-Care Tips

Treatment of knee problems must be directed at the cause. There are many possible causes of knee pain and the following self-care tips are general recommendations.

• Avoid repeating the activity that caused or contributed to the injury. Rest the knee to give it time to recover. Avoid climbing, squatting, or activities that require standing or walking for long periods of time. Avoid weight-bearing activities when possible. Keep your leg straight while sitting.

• Ice may reduce pain and swelling and can be applied to the area of pain for 30 minutes at a time. Protect your skin by placing a towel between your knee and the ice. Elevating the knee above the level of the heart will decrease the swelling.

• Coated aspirin and medicines like ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce swelling. These medicines can cause upset stomach or other stomach problems and should be taken with food. They should be avoided if you have a history of ulcer disease.

Knee pain from trauma that may have resulted in a ligament tear needs immediate attention.

Knee pain also needs to be evaluated if ...

• there is a fever
• there is swelling or redness
• the joint is not stable (it moves in an unnatural way)
• the pain is not getting better
• you cannot stand
• you cannot straighten the knee

Background

Anthrax is a treatable acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep), but it can also occur in humans.

There are three primary forms of Anthrax and they are cutaneous (skin), intestinal (gut), and pulmonary (lung). Approximately 95% of anthrax cases in developed countries are cutaneous and 5% are respiratory. There is a difference between being exposed to anthrax, having Anthrax spores or antibodies without symptoms, and having active Anthrax disease. As of this writing only one person in the United States has been found to have active disease. Other individuals who have had an exposure are being treated with antibiotics prophylactically so they do not develop active disease.

Transmission:

B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Eating undercooked meat from infected animals can spread anthrax. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with an individual with inhalation anthrax. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually occur within 7 days but vary depending on how the disease was contracted.

Cutaneous: Anthrax infections can occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated material. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center.
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.

Treatment:

It has been recommended that ciprofloxacin or other fluoroquinolone therapy be initiated in adults with presumed anthrax infection. Other antibiotics can also be effective in treatment.