What Exactly Triggers Painful Heel

Overview

Plantar fasciosis is a foot condition characterized by heel pain and pain in your plantar fascia-a strong and dense connective tissue structure on the sole of your foot that supports your foot arch. This condition has historically been called plantar fasciitis because it was believed that plantar fascia inflammation was the principle underlying cause. Plantar fasciosis is a more accurate name for this condition because it involves degeneration-microtears, cell death-of your plantar fascia, not inflammation. Active men between the ages of 40 and 70 are most commonly affected by this health problem.




Causes

Plantar fasciitis is a painful disorder in the lower part of your foot usually around the heel. That pain usually hurts as you get up in the morning when you try to stand on your feet, or after any periods of inactivity. It is a disorder of a tough and strong band that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar Fasciitis is caused by injuring that tough band on the bottom of the foot. The following may be the causes of plantar fasciitis. Tight calf muscles or tight Achilles tendon produces repetitive over-stretching of the plantar fascia. Gait and balance Problem may be a dominant cause of this disorder. Many people have a special style of walking, with something unique that causes some kind of imbalance in their body. It might be something like locked knees, feet that turn-out, a weak abdomen etc. This imbalance may place some pressure on the fascia, which eventually causes plantar fasciitis. Weak foot muscles don’t give enough support to the plantar fascia. The small muscles in the foot give the foot its shape by keeping the bones in place and by expanding and contracting to make a movement. Weak foot muscles will allow greater stress on the fascia. Foot anatomical problems such as flat feet or high arches can make the fascia ligament work or stretch abnormally. Flattening of the fat pad at the sole of the feet under the heels is a Degeneration process that is caused by poor footwear or by age. Shoes that have no proper heel cup can flatten that fat pad quite quickly and cause this disorder. Walking in shoes which do not have good arch support is considered to be a cause of plantar fasciitis. Wearing inadequate or worn out shoes may place more stress on the fascia ligament. If you wear shoes that don't fit you by size or width, you may put your feet under excessive stress. Overweight Men and women are more vulnerable to developing the condition because of the excess weight on the foot. Pregnant women are at risk due to gaining weight through pregnancy and due to the pregnancy hormones that make ligaments loosen and relax. Sudden increase of activity like starting to run long distance or complete change of daily activity can cause heel pain and this disorder. Practice of repetitive athletic activities, like long distance running, playing a ball game, dancing or jumping, is a common cause for the disorder. Actually it is considered as one of the most common running injuries. Spending long periods of time on your feet everyday can cause plantar fasciitis. Working on your feet a few hours a day evey day may be the reason for your heel pain.




Symptoms

The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel, pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. The pain subsides after a few minutes of walking. Greater pain after (not during) exercise or activity.




Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed by your physiotherapist or sports doctor based on your symptoms, history and clinical examination. After confirming your plantar fasciitis they will investigate WHY you are likely to be predisposed to plantar fasciitis and develop a treatment plan to decrease your chance of future bouts. X-rays may show calcification within the plantar fascia or at its insertion into the calcaneus, which is known as a calcaneal or heel spur. Ultrasound scans and MRI are used to identify any plantar fasciitis tears, inflammation or calcification. Pathology tests (including screening for HLA B27 antigen) may identify spondyloarthritis, which can cause symptoms similar to plantar fasciitis.




Non Surgical Treatment

The following recommendations are appropriate. Wear shoes with adequate arch support and cushioned heels; discard old running shoes and wear new ones; rotate work shoes daily. Avoid long periods of standing. Lose weight. Stretch the plantar fascia and warm up the lower extremity before participating in exercise. For increased flexibility, stretch the plantar fascia and the calf after exercise. Do not exercise on hard surfaces. Avoid walking barefooted on hard surfaces. Avoid high-impact sports that require a great deal of jumping (eg, aerobics and volleyball). Apply ice for 20 minutes after repetitive impact-loading activities and at the end of the day. Limit repetitive impact-loading activities such as running to every other day, and consider rest or cross-training for nonrunning days.






Surgical Treatment

Surgery for plantar fasciitis can be very successful in the right patients. While there are potential complications, about 70-80% of patients will find relief after plantar fascia release surgery. This may not be perfect, but if plantar fasciitis has been slowing you down for a year or more, it may well be worth these potential risks of surgery. New surgical techniques allow surgery to release the plantar fascia to be performed through small incisions using a tiny camera to locate and cut the plantar fascia. This procedure is called an endoscopic plantar fascia release. Some surgeons are concerned that the endoscopic plantar fascia release procedure increases the risk of damage to the small nerves of the foot. While there is no definitive answer that this endoscopic plantar fascia release is better or worse than a traditional plantar fascia release, most surgeons still prefer the traditional approach.

What Triggers Painful Heel And How To Prevent It

Overview

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk. Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.




Causes

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult. You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you Have foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches), run long distances, downhill or on uneven surfaces, are obese or gain weight suddenly, have a tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel), wear shoes with poor arch support or soft soles. Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it most often affects active men ages 40 - 70. It is one of the most common orthopedic foot complaints. Plantar fasciitis was commonly thought to be caused by a heel spur. However, research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis.




Symptoms

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by the following signs and symptoms. Acute plantar fasciitis, pain is usually worse in the morning but may improve when activity continues; if the plantar fasciitis is severe, activity will exacerbate the pain, pain will worsen during the day and may radiate to calf or forefoot, pain may be described anywhere from "minor pulling" sensation, to "burning", or to "knife-like", the plantar fascia may be taut or thickened, passive stretching of the plantar fascia or the patient standing on their toes may exacerbate symptoms, acute tenderness deep in the heel-pad along the insertion of the plantar aponeurosis at the medial calcaneal tuberosity and along the length of the plantar fascia, may have localized swelling. Chronic plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciitis is classified as "chronic" if it has not resolved after six months, pain occurs more distally along the aponeurosis and spreads into the Achilles tendon.




Diagnosis

If you see a doctor for heel pain, he or she will first ask questions about where you feel the pain. If plantar fasciitis is suspected, the doctor will ask about what activities you've been doing that might be putting you at risk. The doctor will also examine your foot by pressing on it or asking you to flex it to see if that makes the pain worse. If something else might be causing the pain, like a heel spur or a bone fracture, the doctor may order an X-ray to take a look at the bones of your feet. In rare cases, if heel pain doesn't respond to regular treatments, the doctor also might order an MRI scan of your foot. The good news about plantar fasciitis is that it usually goes away after a few months if you do a few simple things like stretching exercises and cutting back on activities that might have caused the problem. Taking over-the-counter medicines can help with pain. It's rare that people need surgery for plantar fasciitis. Doctors only do surgery as a last resort if nothing else eases the pain.




Non Surgical Treatment

Your doctor will determine what treatment is best for your condition. The most common treatments for plantar fasciitis include icing the affected area, inserting custom-made orthotics into your shoes, massaging the plantar fascia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroid injections, strengthening the foot, wearing a night splint, wearing shoes with arch support, physical therapy, stretching the calf muscles, shockwave therapy or radiotherapy. To keep the plantar fascia lengthened as you sleep, your doctor may ask you to wear night splints. In the morning, taking your first steps is less painful because the plantar fascia remains stretched throughout the night. Avoiding activities such as walking or running helps the healing process. Losing weight, if it is a factor in the condition, may help to reduce the stress placed on the plantar fascia.






Surgical Treatment

When more conservative methods have failed to reduce plantar fasciitis pain, your doctor may suggest extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which is used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing, but may cause bruises, numbness, tingling, swelling, and pain. When all else fails, surgery may be recommended to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. Few people need surgery to treat the condition.




Prevention

Being overweight can place excess pressure and strain on your feet, particularly on your heels. Losing weight, and maintaining a healthy weight by combining regular exercise with a healthy, balanced diet, can be beneficial for your feet. Wearing appropriate footwear is also important. Ideally, you should wear shoes with a low to moderate heel that supports and cushions your arches and heels. Avoid wearing shoes with no heels.

Symptoms Of Mortons Neuroma

The causes of lip swelling could range from trauma and contact dermatitis to allergic reactions to certain medical conditions. I am a 44 year old Pe teacher who has been experiencing Hammer Toe since October. Vinegar has been used as a condiment for several centuries.

U-Shaped portion surrounds sore callus and reduces pain by transferring pressure from callus to the cushion. Soft orthotics cushion the ball and arches of the feet and protect them from injury and pain, while rigid orthotics correct abnormal foot angles and movements that can cause or worsen pain in the ball of the foot. Many insoles fit inside of slippers so that people suffering from pain in the ball of the foot can walk more comfortably inside their homes as well as outside. In addition, some insoles include added deodorizers to help decrease foot odor. While gel or foam insoles are sold at pharmacies, grocery stores and sporting-goods stores, orthotics require a visit to a podiatrist, who will make a cast of the foot and build a custom-fit insole from the cast. Foam, gel and soft orthotics require replacement once a year or more as the cushioning wears out. Rigid orthotics rarely need replacement. Hip bone spur can cause a lot of discomfort.

Most flat feet usually do not cause pain or other problems. Flat feet may be associated with pronation, a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. Foot pain, ankle pain or lower leg pain, especially in children, may be a result of flat feet and should be evaluated.

Another solution is to wear custom foot orthotics, like ezWalker ® Performance Custom Orthotics, in your shoes to help correct your body posture, stabilize your balance, relieve pain during follow-through and evenly redistribute your weight on your feet. EzWalker® Custom Orthotics are specifically made for each of your feet to properly support your arches while reducing pressure on the balls of your feet. With ezWalker® Custom Orthotics, you'll walk from lateral heel to medial forefoot for better biomechanics of your entire body. This condition manifests as a skin lesion that assumes a ring-like pattern. It can affect any region of the body, right from the scalp to the foot. One such common home remedy is the use of bleach. Many people claim that this is a very effective ringworm treatment.

During the average lifetime our feet cover over 70,000 miles, the equivalent of walking four times around the world., so it's not surprising that problems can occur. Indeed around three-quarters of all adults will experience some sort of problem with their feet at some time. And without treatment most foot complaints will become gradually worse with time. This means people often endure painful conditions for far too long, and the problem can get worse. People often assume nothing can be done to help their condition, but in fact these conditions are extremely treatable. Swollen lump on big toe joint; lump may become numb but also make walking painful.

Achilles Tendonitis

Overview

The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscles to your heel. You use this tendon to jump, walk, run, and stand on the balls of your feet. Continuous, intense physical activity, like running and jumping, can cause inflammation of the Achilles. This is known as Achilles tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis). Achilles tendonitis can often be treated at home using simple strategies. However, if home treatment doesn?t work, it is important to see a doctor. If your tendonitis gets worse, it can lead to a tendon tear. You may need medication to ease the pain or a surgical repair.




Causes

Tendinitis most often occurs when a tendon is over used. As the foot extends the Achilles tendon engages the calf muscles. The calf muscle generates force, which is transferred to the foot via this tendon. As this action repeats the tendon will endure large amounts of stress. An under-trained or inexperienced athlete is most likely to be affected by tendinitis since their body is not accustomed to the stress involved with athletics. Improper foot mechanics is another common cause of Achilles tendinitis. A properly functioning foot will distribute weight evenly across the foot. On the contrary, if the foot is experiencing improper mechanics, the weight of the body will not be evenly distributed. This can result in tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, calluses, bunions, neuromas and much more.




Symptoms

In most cases, symptoms of Achilles tendonitis, also sometimes called Achilles tendinitis, develop gradually. Pain may be mild at first and worsen with continued activity. Repeated or continued stress on the Achilles tendon increases inflammation and may cause it to rupture. Partial or complete rupture results in traumatic damage and severe pain, making walking virtually impossible and requiring a long recovery period. Patients with tendinosis may experience a sensation of fullness in the back of the lower leg or develop a hard knot of tissue (nodule).




Diagnosis

A doctor examines the patient, checking for pain and swelling along the posterior of the leg. The doctor interviews the patient regarding the onset, history, and description of pain and weakness. The muscles, tissues, bones, and blood vessels may be evaluated with imaging studies, such as X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI.




Nonsurgical Treatment

Proper footwear with a strong and secure counter (the heel circumference) may help to encourage heeling of the tendon. A tendinitis will occasionally resolve on it?s own, with rest, ice, and gentle stretching. If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician. Your physician may suggest physiotherapy and custom orthotics. Physiotherapy can suggest appropriate exercises and modalities to aid in the healing process. Custom orthotics can be very successful in treating the problem, as the original cause may be due to an improper alignment of the foot and heel. Re-aligning the foot to a neutral position may provide an optimal, biomechanically sound environment for healing to occur.






Surgical Treatment

If several months of more-conservative treatments don't work or if the tendon has torn, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair your Achilles tendon.




Prevention

You can take measures to reduce your risk of developing Achilles Tendinitis. This includes, Increasing your activity level gradually, choosing your shoes carefully, daily stretching and doing exercises to strengthen your calf muscles. As well, applying a small amount ZAX?s Original Heelspur Cream onto your Achilles tendon before and after exercise.

Ball Of Foot Pain After Bunion Surgery

On Tuesday, June 10th you are invited to go toe-to-toe with foot pain with Deaconess Hospital. Named after the person who originally described it, Freiberg's disease refers to pain in the ball of the foot due to damage to the front of the metatarsal bones. I have had a hard time being comfortable in my skates. In a way I consider having plantar fasciitis a blessing. Metatarsalgia causes chronic pain in the ball of the foot, often descibed by sufferers as having a 'pebble in the shoe' or by other people as a 'burning sensation', often combined with excess callous forming. Ball of Foot Pain occurs when the metatarsal bones drop and the surrounding ligaments weaken. The forefoot structure collapses, resulting in excess pressure and friction under the ball of the foot. The human foot has two arches: the Longitudinal arch (your instep) and the Transverse arch. Your feet will carry you the equivalent of five times around the world during your lifetime! This is very common in the great toe joint, where motion upon walking becomes limited and eventually painful. If left untreated, damage to cartilage can seriously weaken the joint, often leading to altered gait and limited activities due to pain. Pain and stiffness caused by cartilage destruction develop slowly as a result of years of everyday living and pounding. In more resistant cases, reconstructive surgery is needed to give improvement in joint motion and the benefit of reduced pain. The goals of surgery are different for each individual and will need to be discussed with us. While surgical care will not cure arthritis or completely restore the joint to its natural health, it will ease pain and make daily activities more manageable. The pain can be dull or sharp, constant or intermittent. For others, flat feet develop later in life, due to arthritis, an injury or a ruptured tendon of the foot. For others again, flat feet may be due to a loose ligament the the heel joint (subtalar joint) or at the base of the big toe. Rolling in of the foot is called "pronation" and since the feet of these people roll in more than normal, they are said to be "over-pronating". The effects of flat feet develop slowly, and result from flat feet's long-term damage on the body's joints. Some lucky people with flat feet never will suffer any discomfort at all. See what orthotics can do for you by visiting the orthotics page. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The other things that can cause pain in the foot, you could have a neuroma which is a swollen nerve due to pressure on the foot, you could have broken skin, you could have a callus or a corn under the sole of your foot, these can be dealt with quite easily by a professional or if it is just a callus or a corn you could try filing it. If it's due from constant pressure during the day it's very advisable to use a foot bath in the evening. Rest your feet in a warm foot bath for ten minutes and this should help. Avoid doing high-impact, cardio activities when in pain. These will cause your joints to become further inflamed and increase the pain and discomfort. The hip region is one of the most commonly affected areas that can be afflicted by pain. I have a lot of pain in my left hip. Like metatarsalgia, neuroma can develop on any nerve in the body, but the most common place for it to show up is on the ball of the foot, at the base of the toes. In order to come to the correct diagnosis, your doctor should perform a simple exam of your foot using his or her fingers to look for a lump or bruise in the ball of the foot. He or she will also examine your foot to look for deformities Bunion Pain such as high or low arches, measure the length of the second toe, or to see if you have hammertoes. If you spend a lot of time running or jumping, you may be more susceptible to metatarsalgia. Most treatment options are self-care methods. The treatment you will receive will be based on the cause of the metatarsalgia. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation. A number of internal and external factors can cause these problems. Structural problems refer to abnormalities in the metatarsals themselves. Sometimes your metatarsals can grow too long and change the mechanics of your feet. Functional problems refer to abnormalities in other foot structures that then affect the metatarsals and cause metatarsalgia. If, for example, someone has flat feet, the lack of arches could affect how he or she walks, putting excess strain on the metatarsals. External factors include excess body weight, tight or high-heeled shoes and repetitive foot activity. Excess weight can overload the metatarsals and affect the way people walk, which can cause joint pain and nerve irritation. If you are athletic, you want to make sure that you choose a good athletic shoe for your type of foot.

Flat Feet & Leg Pain

Every day people all over the world are born with flat feet. Many are extremely active, running, playing soccer and doing heavy labor. This begs the question, how are some individuals with flat feet perfectly fine, even when active, and others get a lifetime of foot and leg pain? First we must look at how a normal foot works as opposed to a troubled one. Flat foot, the opposite of high arch, often is misidentified as fallen arches or broken arches. Actually a flat foot is a structural abnormality in which the foot bones maintain a low angle, thereby giving a appearance of an absent or low arch area. Asics are known for their GEL-cushioning system which provides extra cushioning and impact control for the heal and forefoot. The GT-2170 is specifically designed for the worst overpronation problems. They provide guidance control, midfoot stabilizer and memory foam cushioning in addition to the GEL-cushioning system. Reviews show they are superior in the cushioning department for sure. The Asics Gel-1170 is another choice in 2012 for overpronation. It contains firm foam in the midsole for extra arch support. One reason that foot tattoos are extremely painful and tedious is due the fact that the skin is thinner on the top of the foot and there is little space between the layers. Orthopedic shoes were developed to realign the back to a normal position where no pain or discomfort are experienced. This type of footwear is often recommended for those suffering from flat feet. Footwear of this kind is made in such a way that the instep and part of the bed of the shoe are raised. They can be purchased in stores or custom made according to the directions of an orthopedic specialist. Once this 'pronation phase' is complete, the foot begins to roll-out or supinate slightly, creating a more stable foot position and allowing the lower extremity to achieve maximum efficiency when pushing off. Patients need to determine whether the feet (or sometimes just one foot) is flat due to its own problem or whether something else is going on. Since the foot can cause rotational issues all the way up the leg, the same rotations at the hip can cause the foot to flatten. It is extremely important to know if the foot is causing the problem or if the foot is the result of a problem further up the leg. Through thorough analysis, perhaps including gait analysis, a physical therapist or other health professional should be able to determine this answer for you. Treatment Way back in September 1998, I went for a trip with some of my colleagues of the University in Tokyo suburbs to attend Japanese Physics Society Conference in Okinawa. We did a lot of sightseeing and attended only a few conference sessions! While we were lazing along one of the beaches in Okinawa, I saw the feet of my hubby (then a colleague) and was really surprised and shocked to see his flat foot. Until then I had never come across anyone having flat feet. As a matter of fact, my parents also never came across any person having flat feet until they met hubby. For optimum comfort you should choose the toe shape that is most compatible with your foot shape. Rounded or slightly boxy toes provide the most room and comfort and should be chosen by anyone with foot trouble. A pointier toe may be more fashionable in some cases, but do not choose this style if it causes you foot pain. With today's technology men's running shoes for flat feet are designed to provide all of the features necessary to promote a smooth and safe ride for today's runner. When looking for effective running shoes for flat feet it is key to look for shoes that offer motion control, support and stability.

How Orthotics Can Prevent Bunion Surgery

Corns are small areas of hard, thickened skin, formed when the skin of the feet are under pressure. They are prone to developing on the tops and sides of the toes, because this is where shoes tend to squeeze the most. Corns are sometimes caused by hammertoes, which is a bent toe that rubs against the skin. They can be treated at home, with the use of over-the-counter medicine and regular exfoliating. However, some stubborn corns may require the care of a podiatrist for removal. Brain, spinal cord, or nerve injury (especially in the case of claw toe). Examples include stroke , cerebral palsy , and degenerative disc disease A bunion is an abnormal, bony growth or bump on the joint at the base of the big toe. As the joint becomes enlarged, it crowds the other toes and is pushed outward, causing pain. Bunion treatments vary according to how severe the bunion is and how much pain it causes. Options in treatment range from conservative lifestyle recommendations for mild cases to surgery for more severe bunions. For bunions that require surgery, there are several procedures available that have proven to be quite successful. Your feet may get wider and longer as you grow older. Each time you purchase a new pair of shoes, have your feet sized. Metatarsaigia is experienced as a shooting or sharp pain, accompanied by inflammation in the ball of the foot. Icing your foot several times a day and doing toe lifts and stretches will help. It is also wise to avoid sports. To prevent further problems try using arch supports and/or shock absorbing insoles. Bunions are formed when the sideways (transverse) arch falls. Then it pushes the sides of the joints outwards where they rub against the inside of the shoes. This builds up a callous. Give the exercises a try. But if you still have no improvement in your pain after a week or so , you should see your doctor. Ingrown toenails are often caused by importer trimming. It can also be caused by repetitive trauma to the nail, tight shoes, and hereditary leading to the inflammation of the skin around the nail borders allowing the nail border penetrate the skin and infection can set. Most often, the attempt to remove the ingrown can lead to more infection. If your nail continues to grow inward despite proper trimming, please contact us for an appointment. Dr. Kelly might suggest Nail Restoration before any medical or surgical treatments. Examine your feet weekly for any dry spots, blisters, calluses or anything that looks unusual. Do this daily if you are diabetic For those affected by diabetes, proper foot care and maintenance is essential. The disease decreases blood flow, particularly to the feet. Diabetics must continuously monitor their feet to avoid infections, otherwise they could face amputation. When inspecting your feet, look for wounds, bruises, blisters, ulcers and ingrown nails. It is recommended that you contact your podiatrist for instructions on how to properly care for your feet. Treatment for hammertoe involves wearing shoes with soft and roomy toe boxes so there is less friction against the toes. Toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles are also recommended. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to correct the condition. Over-the-counter corns removers must be avoided. These home treatments have acid in them, which can burn the skin and cause infection. Once an ulceration has started, every effort must be made to reduce the pressure to the area or it will not heal. Special shoe inserts, called orthotics, are useful in reducing abnormal pressure on the bottom of the foot in areas of calluses or ulcerations. There are also several different topical medications that are used for the treatment of ulcerations. Treatment should be guided and supervised by a physician. Special cushions are available at drugstores for plantar warts. These pads help relieve any pressure and pain from the warts. The first steps most doctors recommend is to ice and elevate the toe at home, and to purchase shoes with wider toe boxes. Additionally, callus covers or mole skin can be bought at a grocery store to help decrease irritation on the skin. Night splints can also be purchased to try to change the angle of the foot. If these at-home interventions do not work, then more aggressive treatment can be rendered in a doctor's office. Some cases will need to be repaired with surgery, while others can just be monitored for changes. Some people may develop chronic gouty arthritis, but others may have no further attacks. Those with chronic arthritis develop joint deformities and loss of motion in the joints. They will have joint pain and other symptoms most of the time. Tophi are lumps below the skin around joints or in other places. They may drain chalky material. Tophi usually develop only after a patient has had the disease for many years. Your doctor will recommend that you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin as soon as your symptoms begin. You will need to take prescription-strength medicines for 4 - 10 days.