The Many Cause of Wrist Pain

Everything from buttoning your jeans to writing out e-mails requires the use of one or both wrists. Having pain in this joint makes just about everything you tackle in a day that much harder. The key to getting rid of the pain is to find out what's causing it. There are several things that can be at fault, and few of them can be healed quickly.

Arthritis is about the most common type of joint pain in general. As the bones of this joint are small, even rheumatoid arthritis could be the culprit. Advanced gout and osteoarthritis are also possible.

To a certain degree, these different forms of arthritis need different treatment, especially when considering home remedies. OAR generally requires an anti-inflammatory and topical pain relievers. Capsizing and an olive oil extract of willow bark and gout kola are the best home remedies in this case.

Gout is caused by an excess buildup of uric acid in the blood stream. The reason I suggest it may be advanced gout when it's found in the wrist is because it generally starts in the right big toe and works its way to other joints over time. You will definitely need the doctor to help here, but there is one at home remedy that your doctor may suggest...cherry juice.

RA also requires a doctor's help. It's an autoimmune disorder, meaning your immune system is attacking healthy parts of your body. However, if your doctor approves, the same topical pain relievers could be a big help.

In this day of computers, iPhone, iPads, etc., carpal tunnel is a major threat. For most of us, this is caused by repetitive motion, such as typing on the computer. The nerves that lead to your hands run through the bones of the wrist. Because they are inside the bones, there isn't much room for swelling to go. This puts a lot of pressure on the nerve and causes quite a bit of pain. It can even cause numbness or the inability to use the hand.

There isn't much you can do at home for this, though a few things might help. Definitely anti-inflammatory medications will be useful. You can use the topical pain relievers above, but ice might be your best friend here. In fact, all the RICE formula could be useful. This stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Consult your doctor about how best to do this.

Cysts can form in many areas and the wrist is not immune. Sometimes these cysts can interfere with movement and cause pain, but not all will. While it can be removed, if there is no pain or impediment, your doctor may want to wait and see if it goes away on its own.

Wrist fractures usually occur in a fall or if the patient has weakened bones. Some of them heal fairly easily, but many can take quite some time to heal and you may have range of motion difficulties once they do. Like fractures, sprains can occur, and these are almost always caused by an injury. Both of these require treatment by your doctor, though there are some things you can do at home. RICE will be a big part of this treatment.

Wrist pain is difficult to deal with, but we'll all probably have a bout or two with it at some point in our lives. When it does occur, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for your case. Make sure the doctor knows of any other medical conditions you have as well as all medications/supplements that you use. This will help with diagnosis and may also decrease the probability of side effects or harmful drug/herb interactions.