Joint Health

There is no single best inflammation medicine. The right choice depends on what is inflamed, why, and how long it has been going on. For a sprained ankle or a fever, an over-the-counter drug like ibuprofen may be the best fit. For chronic low-grade inflammation tied to diet and lifestyle, no pill outperforms the basics: … Read more

Ankle pain has a short list of common causes, and most of them are mechanical — a sprain, tendon strain, arthritis, or irritated tissue around the joint. The ankle carries your full body weight with every step, so even a small injury or inflammation can produce pain that feels much larger than the problem. Most … Read more

Inflammation is your immune system’s normal response to injury or infection. It becomes a problem when it stays switched on at low levels for months or years. The most reliable ways to lower that kind of inflammation are ordinary and well studied: eat more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and oily fish; move your body regularly; … Read more

Most knee and joint pain is not solved by a single pill. The best-supported options are modest: topical NSAIDs for knee arthritis, acetaminophen for mild pain, exercise and weight management for lasting relief, and a few supplements with real but limited evidence. Glucosamine and chondroitin have failed to show clear benefit in the largest trials, … Read more

If you have knee joint pain, the most evidence-backed things you can take are not exotic supplements. They are pain relievers like acetaminophen and topical or oral NSAIDs, plus a structured exercise program. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been studied for decades, but the largest trials found they work no better than placebo for most people. … Read more

Scalp inflammation is treated by removing what irritates the skin, calming the reaction, and protecting the skin barrier while it heals. Most cases improve with a gentle washing routine, a medicated shampoo when one is appropriate, and avoiding harsh products and scratching. Some causes, like psoriasis or fungal infection, need specific treatment from a doctor. … Read more

Joint pain from statins usually does go away, but the timing depends on what is actually causing it. Muscle and joint symptoms tied to statin use generally improve within days to a few weeks after stopping the drug. If the pain continues for months after you stop, something other than the statin is likely involved. … Read more

There is no single best mattress for back pain. The mattress that supports your spine in a neutral position and matches your body weight, sleeping position, and pain pattern is the one that helps. For most people with back pain, a medium-firm mattress with enough give to cushion pressure points and enough support to keep … Read more

No, eating tomatoes does not cause inflammation in most people. Tomatoes are not inherently inflammatory. They contain lycopene, vitamin C, and other compounds that have been studied for anti-inflammatory effects. For the large majority of people, tomatoes are a normal, healthy part of the diet. The exceptions are specific and worth knowing about, and they … Read more

Joint pain after exercise is usually a sign that the load was a bit more than the joint and surrounding tissues were ready for, not a sign that something is permanently wrong. In most cases it settles with a few days of relative rest, a temporary reduction in training intensity, and simple measures like ice … Read more