What causes joint pain, and what can be done to help?

What causes joint pain, and what can be done to help?

44 yeard old male, approximately every 6-8 weeks experiences intense pain in a joint, maybe the wrist, then 6 weeks later an ankle, then 6 weeks later an elbow, then the knee joint.
Sometimes swelling in the joint, like the wrist bone, or ankle bone becomes larger. Very sensitive to the touch, and cannot use the wrist or hand, intense pain when making a fist, or wiggling fingers.
Cannot put much pressure on foot, or bend without severe pain and discomfort.
Elbow joint will swell, the bone will be enlarged and cannot bend elbow when elbow is afflicted. Same for the knee.
Was tested for gout when big toe was inflamed about 5 years ago - results were 'borderline' on uric acid levels.
Would like drug to alleviate pain, but does not want to rely on drugs.

Is this arthrits, bursitis, or tendonitis?
Is this chronic condition that will not 'go away'?
What can be done to:
1. alleviate pain?
2. prevent this from re-occuring?
(like diet, exercise, avoid alcohol, physical therapy, infared light massage therapy, ultra-sonic massage, electronic stimulation, accupunture?)

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(I used to have pain in my joints when I was younger. It went away when I skipped meet and started to eat vegetarian health food. You can try and see if it works for you as well.)