INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Although it is not life threatening, forearm tendinitis can restrict your movement and activities for weeks or months because of pain and discomfort. Without treatment, tendinitis will also increase your risk of suffering from a tendon rupture. This is a more serious condition that requires surgical repair to restore function to the tendon. If tendinitis persists for several months, you can experience tendinosis, which has a negative effect on the tendon and causes abnormal new blood vessel growth. Long-term complications of tennis elbow can result in recurrence of the injury, rupture of the tendon and failure to heal with either non-surgical or surgical repair due to a nerve entrapment in the forearm. Long-term complications for chronic golfer's elbow can lead to chronic pain, limited range of motion and a lasting or fixed contracture (bend) in the elbow. If you suspect that you have tendinitis, make an appointment with your doctor for evaluation and treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment will lead to more successful outcomes for your forearm tendinitis. To diagnose your forearm tendinitis, your physician will take a thorough health history and perform a full physical assessment. Your physician may order x-rays if you were injured before the pain started. Following diagnosis, your doctor will recommend treatment to reduce your pain and improve your arm movement. Make sure that you follow your physician's instructions for treating your forearm and ask any questions that you have about the treatment. Your physician may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the inflammation in your forearm, reduce pain, and improve arm function. You may need to wear a brace to support the area and reduce any stress on the muscles and tendons. This brace may immobilize the area or just provide support, depending upon the severity of your condition. Your doctor may inject corticosteroids around the tendon to reduce inflammation and pain; however, if the condition lasts more than 3 months, repeated injections may weaken the tendon and increase the risk of tendon rupture. Platelet rich plasma therapy treatments involve taking your blood, spinning it to separate the platelets and re-injecting those platelets into the tendon area. Although this treatment is still being researched, it has been beneficial in the treatment of some chronic tendon conditions. Talk to your doctor to find out if this treatment is a good option for you. Your physician may recommend physical therapy in conjunction with other treatments for your tendinitis. In physical therapy, you will learn how to do forearm stretches designed to reduce any tightness in your muscles. Knowing how to reduce this tightness is important because it contributes to the micro-tearing associated with tendonitis. Occupations and recreational activities that require a lot of gripping, force placed against extensor or flexor muscles or repetitive hand or wrist motions can develop tight muscles that contribute to tendinitis. Your physical therapist may recommend deep friction massage to trigger the release of natural stimulants that may help to heal the tendon. This technique is safe, gentle, and easy to learn from your therapist. In some cases, tendinitis may require emergency medical treatment. Learn what the severe symptoms are so that you will know when to get help right away. Seek immediate medical attention if: Your elbow is hot and inflamed and you have a fever You can't bend your elbow Your elbow appears to be deformed You suspect you may have cracked or broken a bone from a specific injury to the area Although you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment of your tendinitis, there are some home remedies that may help to alleviate minor pain from tendinitis. Ask your doctor if these remedies are appropriate for your situation. You may be able to relieve some of your tendinitis pain by: Resting the inflamed joint and stopping the activity that triggered it Icing the joint with a towel-wrapped ice pack three to four times per day for 10 minutes at a time Using over the counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin)

SUMMARY: Get treated right away. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Ask your doctor about plasma therapy. Find out about physical therapy. Watch for severe symptoms. Support your recovery with home remedies.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Saline sprays and washes are available at drugstores, and can help remove the mucus in your nose that's causing it to run. Choose a gentle one that's made for congested or runny noses and use it 3-4 times per day, following the instructions carefully. Avoid using a nasal spray for more than 5 days, as this can cause congestion to return. Look for nasal strips at the drugstore to clear your nose and help decongestion. Try strips made specifically for colds and congestion, and follow the directions on the box to place the strip over the bridge of your nose. Use it as often as directed on the packaging. Nasal strips are typically used at night, but if your runny nose is especially bad, you can use them during the day as well. Check the aisles in your drugstore for a decongestant medicine, typically pills, that will shrink and dry up your nasal passages. This can be a big help when you're trying to get rid of a stuffy or runny nose. Check the packaging to see how often you can take the medicine. Only use a decongestant for a 2-3 days. If overused, decongestants can cause congestion to return even more severely. If you think your runny nose might be caused by allergies, get an antihistamine product at your drugstore to ease symptoms. Take it as directed on the packaging, and read the side effects carefully as wellsome antihistamines can make you drowsy. Common antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra.

SUMMARY:
Use a nasal wash or spray to remove mucus. Place a nasal strip under your nose to ease breathing. Use a decongestant to help dry your nasal passages. Try antihistamines if you think you're suffering from allergies.