Bones and joints Archive

The protein collagen supports skin, hair, nail, bone, joint, and muscle health. As people age, natural collagen production drops. Some early research suggests collagen supplements offer benefits, but people should ask their doctor about the pros and cons.

Sore muscle pain that doesn't go away after a few days, becomes severe, or affects mobility could be a sign of a muscle strain, sometimes called a pulled muscle. Mild and moderate muscle strain can be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and over-the-counter pain medication as needed. Other treatment methods include massage, stretching, and proper hydration. Severe strains should be checked out as they could be signs of an underlying health problem.

A 2025 studyfound that intermuscular fat-fat stored within muscle tissue-may increase a person's risk of heart disease.

Surgery is usually warranted when bunion pain becomes disabling, a skin ulcer develops, or it's necessary to prevent a bunion from dislocating the second toe. However, recovery can be long and painful, and there's no guarantee that bunions won't come back. Prior to surgery, it might help to use strategies that reduce bunion pain, such as adding cushioning to shoes, stretching shoes where a bunion rubs against them, getting roomier shoes or shoes made with stretchy fabrics, and using toe spacers.

An estimated six in 10 women will at some point experience symptoms from pelvic floor weakness. Risk factors include pregnancy (especially with vaginal delivery), chronic constipation, family history, smoking, aging, menopause, obesity, chronic coughing, and occupations involving heavy lifting. Women with pelvic floor weakness may experience signs such as leaking urine, having trouble using a tampon, being unable to fully empty their bladder or rectum, and feeling a bulge in their vagina.

For people who have both heart disease and arthritis, two of the main treatments-exercise and medications-require careful planning and attention. Joint pain makes certain types of exercise difficult, and commonly used drugs for both conditions can have potentially serious interactions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects two to three times as many women as men. Scientists are uncovering RA's potential genetic and hormonal underpinnings, which point to potential reasons why women are more vulnerable. The newest treatments, called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, resulted from research that has teased out delicate differences in immune system pathways. They block numerous proteins that ramp up inflammation fundamental to RA. The wide array of drug options now available for RA help doctors personalize therapies to each patient.