*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

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This Week - J : Joint Pain

Types of joint pain

Common types of joint pain include:

knee pain
shoulder pain
hip pain
foot pain, including your ankle and toes
hand pain, including your wrist and fingers
elbow and arm pain
neck pain

You might feel pain in one joint, or more than one joint at the same time, such as your knees and hips.

Causes of joint pain

There are many possible causes of joint pain. It might be caused by an injury or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis.

Perimenopause and menopause can also cause aching and painful joints due to lowered levels of oestrogen.

Do not self-diagnose, see a GP if you're worried.

See a GP if:

joint pain is stopping you doing normal activities or affecting your sleep
the pain or swelling is getting worse or keeps coming back
the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking up
your child has joint problems

Refer yourself for back or joint help

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get NHS help for back or joint problems

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have joint pain and the skin around it is swollen and feels hot
you have joint pain and feel generally unwell, have a high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Go to A&E or call 999 if:

you have very bad joint pain after a fall or injury
you're unable to walk or put weight on a joint
your joint has moved out of place
you have any tingling or you have no feeling in the area around the joint after an injury

How you can ease joint pain

There are some things you can do to ease joint pain.

Do

try to rest the affected joint if you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
speak to a pharmacist or GP about which painkiller to take for your joint pain
try to lose weight if you're overweight
eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly

Don't

do not completely stop moving the affected joint
do not smoke

Treatments for joint pain

Treatment for joint pain depends on what's causing it. Sometimes the pain may go away without treatment.

Treatment can include:

strong painkillers
antibiotics if you have an infection
physiotherapy
steroid injections
referral to a hospital for an X-ray, scan or specialist treatment (such as surgery)
advice about making lifestyle changes, such as doing more exercise

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We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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