Well-being Q&A: Joint pain and spotting on teeth
Dr V.L. Shyam, MD (Ay), M Phil, a certified Ayurvedic consultant, answers queries exclusively for readers of Friday
I am a 21-year-old man and have been suffering from severe pain in my joints for about one year. I work as a security guard in a supermarket, where I have to stand continuously for about six hours at a time. Is this the cause of the problem?
Afjal Sarker via email
Some of the causes for joint problems are:
- Ligament or muscle sprain or strain
- Repetitive stress injury
- Osteoarthritis (breakdown of joint cartilage over time causing stiffness and pain); Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterised by joint inflammation); Septic arthritis (infectious arthritis or infection of a joint)
- Tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon); Tenosynovitis (inflammation of the sheaths that enclose tendons)
- Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa sac that protects and cushions joints)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
To diagnose the underlying cause of your joint problem, you will need to consult a doctor in person, who will identify the location and type of pain, study the history and look for associated symptoms, among other things. The doctor may also suggest you undergo certain laboratory tests. I am unable to suggest any specific remedies from the given details. You may however try a general, soothing treatment such as this: place a slice of lemon with a tablespoon of rock salt in a piece of muslin cloth. Tie it to form a compress. Heat a metal vessel and place the compress in it. Once the compress is warm, apply it to the affected areas.
My 14-year-old son has black spots on his teeth that disappear once they are cleaned by a dentist. However, the spots recur just a few days after cleaning. Please advise.
Ms Hussein via email
Some of the factors that can cause staining of the teeth are inadequate brushing, and dietary habits that include the intake of drinks and foods such as coffee, tea, soy sauce, potatoes, cherries, berries, corn syrups and colas. Foods containing high fructose content or corn syrup will lead to discolouration and cause tooth decay. Plaque and debris as well as certain vitamins and iron-rich foods can cause teeth spots.
Staining of children's teeth can also be due to certain events that occurred during the development of the teeth, such as excessive use of fluoride supplements, disturbances from certain medications or the use of medications for prolonged periods of time. You should consult a doctor as the treatment of black spots on teeth will depend on the underlying cause of the discolouration. To ensure good dental health overall he should clean his teeth with a mixture of salt and baking soda. He should also: rub lime juice over his teeth once a month; rinse his mouth after every meal; brush his teeth before going to bed; and use crushed, ripened mango leaves to brush his teeth regularly. Gargling with Arimedadi Thailam* will also help.
*Available at shops selling herbal products
