Monday, April 26, 2010

Jaw Pain


Jaw pain is a common ailment and has many causes. Injury, bruxism, or even tooth pain can all trigger jaw pain. To relieve jaw pain, do the following:

1. Apply moist heat or cold packs.
Apply a moist heat or cold pack on the side of your face. A warm washcloth applied to the side of your face can stimulate blood flow and soothe the nerves on your jaw. The warm heat can also relax the muscles on your face to ease the pain. On the other hand, ice packs numb the area so you do not feel the pain in your jaw.

2. Go on a liquid or soft diet.
By going on a soft but nutritious diet, you limit the chewing process. You can also make eating easier by cutting your food up in smaller pieces.

3. Wear splints or night guards.
Splints and night guards are plastic mouthpieces that fit over the upper and lower teeth. They keep the upper and lower teeth from coming together, hence, lessening the effects of clenching or grinding the teeth. They also correct the bite by positioning the teeth in their most correct and least traumatic position.


By: Kristine Gonzaga

Monday, April 19, 2010

Labor Pain Relief for First-Time Mothers


Relief from labor pain is the fruit of careful preparation both from the new mothers and those that support and care for them. Below are some tips to minimize labor pain:

1. Entrust the birth to a considerate practitioner. New moms can choose between midwives and doctors, but the bottom line is that the practitioner they chose to assist them in giving birth must be supportive of their want to experience a natural birth and has the expertise to provide them with the necessary care.

2. Get the services of a professional doula. If a new mom can afford it, hiring a professional doula during the pregnancy term, labor, and postpartum period to provide physical and emotional support. Although family and friends can serve the same purpose, a doula is knowledgeable and experienced in childbirth so she can give new moms professional and expert help.

3. Study labor positioning and other labor techniques. There are several positions new moms can choose to assume during labor. Standing and walking or simply sitting are just some of the positions new moms can try during labor. These positions help mothers to tolerate the contractions and align babies so they can be delivered easily.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Brief Meditation Can Increase Pain Tolerance

Not many are aware that meditation can help relieve pain. The good news is, you don't have to be an expert in meditation to benefit from it. Based on research, even spending a brief meditation training can produce a positive effect on perception of pain.

The study involved college students who had never practiced meditation before and were given one hour of meditation training for three consecutive days to measure their general sensitivity to pain.

According to researcher Fadel Zeidan, one doesn't need to go through rigid training in mindfulness meditation to experience its benefits. Zeidan and his team found that meditation training appeared to have a positive effect on pain perception and tolerance even when the trained participants were not meditating. Since meditation is a form of distraction, it was not surprising that it had a positive impact on pain perception.

The study also made use of meditation and solving math equations in relation to reducing high-level pain. However, only meditation reduced both high and low-level pain at the same time.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Cigarette Ad Targets Female Teens


An anti-smoking group claims that RJ Reynolds cigarette brand Camel No. 9 may have targeted teenage girls in their marketing and advertising campaign. After it came out in leading women's magazines, 44% of the girls aged 15 were able to name a cigarette brand based on advertising.

RJ Reynolds denied directing its marketing strategy to teens. Camel No. 9 was launched in early 2007. One ad concept shows a classic little black dress in high fashion layout, with women's accessories and cigarettes packaged in black leather, bordered in magenta or teal.

In another layout, the teal-menthol and magenta-regular cigarette packs are bedecked with flowers and have a tagline that reads “light and luscious.”

The ad campaign was featured briefly in 10 national magazines, which included Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, In Style, and Marie Claire. During the launch, Camel No. 9 gave-away several freebies like cellphone jewelry, berry-flavored lip balm, and Rocker Girl wristbands.

Even if cigarette manufacturers don't admit targeting teens for their advertising and marketing campaigns, they have a long history of marketing to women since the mid-1920s, with the Lucky Strike brand ad that featured figure-conscious women to “Reach for a Lucky Instead of a Sweet.”

Knowing More About Nerve Pains


Nerve pain is a condition that can be hard to bear. Those who suffer from nerve pain may feel it in varied ways. One may feel it like a stabbing pain in the middle of the night. Another may experience it as a chronic tingling or burning sensation throughout the day.

Pain should warn a person. Like when getting too close to something hot like the stove, pain signals from the nerves to the brain allows you to pull back in time before you burn yourself. However, having nerve pain may cause system dysfunction.

When the nerves get damaged, they may send you false signals. You either feel real pain without any real cause or it may keep you from feeling anything even when you are already injured. Damaged nerve can make your body become overly sensitive. A gentle breeze on your face may cause you to feel excruciating pain. Simple daily routines like walking or even just standing in a queue can make you feel irate.

Nerve pain can make you lose your sense of touch. Such that, working with your hands may become very difficult. Prompt treatment may help you get in control of this condition. You may consult through medical consultation via online.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Caffeine For Headache

Did you know that caffeine is a treatment for headache? Caffeine is a type of drug known to increase ones alertness level. To some people, it can help relieve fatigue and rejuvenate muscle coordination.

Usually, when we speak of caffeine, coffee would easily comes to to mind. However, there are other sources of caffeine such as chocolate and tea as well as in softdrinks and over-the-counter pain relievers and medications. In fact, caffeine is an ingredient commonly found in a lot of prescription and non-prescription headache medications. Pain relievers are 40% more effective due to their caffeine additives. Because caffeine helps the body in absorbing the medication faster, sufferer experiences quick relief from the condition. It also helps in reducing the risk for potential side effects and possible drug addiction.

However, some people may have different sensitivity to caffeine. Too much of it may cause sleep problems, abdominal pain, and anxiety. When people overuse or misuse pain relief drugs containing caffeine, they could develop rebound headache. Getting rid of rebound headache means stopping the use of all medications completely.

Auhtor: Ramon Bravante


Friday, March 12, 2010

Magnetic Impulses To Ease Migraine


Even if there are over-the-counter medications available to help ease migraine attacks, many sufferers find them to be ineffective. That is why scientists have started experimenting on magnetic impulses known as single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, or sTMS, as treatment to migraine attacks.

In the past, research studies made use of large devices that are not suitable and expensive to use outside the clinic. This time, they experimented on hand-held devices which proved to be effective in preventing migraine attacks. In addition to relieving pain, sTMS is non-invasive and doesn't have any side effect.

Migraine with aura is characterized by symptoms of bright lights or shimmering zigzag lines, a few minutes prior to an intense headache. As experts try to understand the actual mechanisms of migraine, researchers have found out that administration of sTMS during the study have effectively decreased progression of the headache in some participants.

More research, however, is needed to know what is the best dosage to establish cost-effectiveness and optimum timing of the treatment.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Suffering In Silence May Lead To Chronic Pain


The military is a place where strength and determination are the core values. In a culture that relies on persistence under adversity, acknowledgement of pain is a sign of weakness. That is why many soldiers experiencing post traumatic stress disorder and depression prefer to suffer in silence.

Veterans coming from a war assignment definitely have horrible memories of their survival. The sounds of explosions and gunfire, as well as the shrieks of friends and enemies alike may linger in their ears for a long period of time. Scenes of shooting and people dying may continue to haunt them even long after the dead bodies have been buried.

Suffering in silence can only compound the problem. The trauma of war can cause severe stress and anxiety and may lead to other serious medical conditions. Experts associate PTSD to a life of chronic pain. They usually experience severe headaches and anxiety attacks. Without proper treatment, these invisible aching wounds of war can ruin not only the soldier's life, but also the lives of the people around him. And since pain and depression usually go hand in hand, both conditions need to be treated at the same time.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Make Grooming And Hygiene Easier For Arthritis Patients

Living with chronic pain is not a breeze, but you can make it a lot more bearable if you have the following tools, gadgets, and even amenities to make daily function easier.

Definitely, people suffering from arthritis will find it hard to move around, and yet they would prefer some amount of privacy during private moments such as taking a bath. Here are a few suggestions on how to take care of your personal hygiene and grooming when there is no one around to provide help:

Equipped the bathroom with long-handled brushes or sponges to scrub hard-to-reach body parts.

Provide shower benches, not only for you to sit on, but to navigate getting into and out of the bathtub more conveniently.

Place non-skid rubber bathmats on the floor as well as grab bars to avoid accidents and easier navigation.

Install lever-type faucets instead of knobs for easier handling. A shower spray with hose attachment can make rinsing a lot easier.

For those who have difficulty bending down, a raised toilet seat can do the trick.

Author: Ramon Bravante


Monday, February 22, 2010

New Chronic Heel Pain Relief


Chronic heel pain comprises about 15% of foot ailments among adults 40 years and above, particularly women. This is due to the chronic inflammation of tissues connecting the heel bones and the toes. Obesity is also a key factor.

While 95% of heel pain cases can be treated with orthotics, stretching exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications, some cases require surgery which can affect the function of the heel. The good news is that a non-invasive procedure that makes use of sound shock waves proves to be effective in bringing relief to severe, chronic, and unresponsive heel pain.

Since shock wave therapy is virtually pain-free, patients can go back to normal activity a day after the treatment. Just like the machines used in eliminating kidney stones, shock wave therapy boasts of a lithotriptor device to produce the waves that are directed to the affected area. The shock waves cause the bone-marrow to hemorrhage and fracture, then a new bone develops as a healing response.

Author: Ramon Bravante


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

What Causes Leg Pain

Leg cramps are not only excruciatingly painful, they also cause sleep interruptions. Without appropriate neurological and orthopedical testing, it is difficult to make proper diagnosis and treatment recommendation for this condition.

However, here is a list of some of the most common causes of leg pain and discomfort:

  • Dehydration or low level of electrolytes – basic solution is to increase intake of water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. Also, increase intake of foods rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium should help.


  • Chronic tightness or over-exertion – give legs ample time to rest and give it the necessary stretching before doing regular daily functions.


  • Physical injury – most common leg injuries are tendonitis, muscle sprains and strains, and fractures. Complete rest can help improve blood circulation.


  • Arthritis – degenerative arthritis causes pain in the joints during activity while metabolic arthropathy causes pain even when at rest.


  • Ifection – this is accompanied by fever and flu-like symptoms like chills and nausea.


  • Atherosclerosis – plaque build up on blood vessels in the leg diminishes blood flow that causes pain.


When leg pain doesn't go away with rest, exercise, and diet, consult qualified health practitioners for treatment and medications. Medical Consulatation is accredited also..

Author: Ramon Bravante


Monday, February 8, 2010

Take The Pressure Off Your Back


You don't have to experience a bad fall or meet an unexpected car accident for you to injure your back. Even ordinary household chores like lifting heavy furnitures can traumatized the muscles and joints in your back, enough to cause injuries that bring about back pain.

When you use your back muscles in conducting activities that you don't usually do, chances are, the muscles get strained, the ligaments are sprained, and some of the spine discs may slipped from its original place. The latter usually occurs when you twist while lifting heavy objects. Slipped disc or herniated disc is a serious injury and can be very painful. It may also warrant a surgery in severe cases.

To relieve common back pain, the following methods may be applied:

  • With your back lying on a solid and flat surface, say on the floor, rest your head on a pillow and place another one under the knees.

  • Another variation is to use a chair where you can rest your legs on the chair with the pillow. This position will also keep your hips and legs bent on right angles.

Both positions can help take the pressure and weight off your back.

Author: Ramon Bravante

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Treat Injuries Early On

You've heard of the motto “No Pain, No Gain.” It's usually seen in ads promoting gym fitness and the like. However, if you don't handle minor pains caused by your gym workouts, you might end up having damaged body parts more than the desired figure.

It is important that you treat your injuries early on to keep from further damaging the injured body part. When you encountered bumps, got bruised, sprained your ankles, or strained your muscles, take the RICE program within 48 hours:

  • Rest: It doesn't only numb the pain, it also allows the injured body part to heal and recover.

  • Ice: Applying an icepack to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours does not only numb the pain, but it also helps reduce inflammation and swelling.

  • Compression: During the first 24 hours, put a bandage around the injured area to apply pressure. This will help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured joint. Make sure it is not too tight to avoid nerve damage.

  • Elevation: Raise the injured leg above the hips when lying down, while a sling can be be used to raise an injured arm.

Author: Ramon Bravante

Monday, January 25, 2010

The Advent Of Pain Management

Patients suffering from chronic pain used to have very limited options when it comes to treatments of their condition. Recently however, advances in medical technology paved the way for the availability of more treatment options that respond to the many special needs of patients suffering from chronic pain.

Since most chronic pain cases have no known cure yet, the medical community created a new field of specialization called pain management which focuses on different ways to handle the condition. Pain specialists work hand in hand with physical therapists, nurses, and mental health professionals. Medical Consultation services are done real-time through our advanced medical portal which provides clients with electronic medical records and the technology to connect our members to our doctors instantly.

Since chronic pain has various causes, not one treatment works best for everyone. That is why pain specialists undergo advanced and extensive trainings in diagnosis and rehabilitation of the patients suffering from the condition. They are aware that pain may change over time. Chances are, treatments that proved effective in providing relief in the past may no longer work well or may even cause unusual side effects.

Author: Ramon Bravante



Friday, January 22, 2010

TENS Therapy For Pain Management

How does one deal with chronic pain? Aside from taking pain-killers, having a positive outlook in life greatly helps a person cope with chronic pain and manage a life of pain. Studies have shown that those who learn pain management skills were able to reduce the levels of pain they experience.

Pain management experts also offer complementary therapies that provide relief minus the risk of side effects. These include massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Therapy.

Among the complementary therapies mentioned, TENS seems to be the least discussed. It is a passive, non-invasive, and non-addictive treatment that helps to reduce perception of pain without any proven side effects. It comes in a portable, battery-operated unit that can be strapped around the waist. A physical therapist administers the electrode patches in the area to be treated. The painless electrical current runs from the portable stimulator through these patches. The generated heat helps to relieve pain, stiffness, and improve mobility. It is also said to stimulate endorphin production, the body's natural painkillers.

However, TENS is not recommended for patients with pacemaker as the electrical current may interfere with the pacemaker function. Medical Consultation is done real-time through our advanced medical portal which provides clients with electronic medical records and the technology to connect our members to our doctors instantly.

Author: Ramon Bravante


Monday, January 18, 2010

The Fuss About Painkillers

There's so much fuss about painkillers being labeled as dangerous drugs. Thanks to celebrities who have committed suicides due to prescription drug abuse that a lot of misinformation and myths have become widespread. The downside of it is that people who need to be treated with painkillers opt not to get the treatment for fear of getting addicted or worse, dying of accidental overdose.

However, experts believe that when taken as prescribed, painkillers are highly effective and beneficial. Many people pride themselves about toughing it out than to depend on pain medications. Refusing treatment despite severe pain not only put their health at risk, but uncontrolled pain can also affect their daily function, mood, sleep, energy level, ability to do their jobs, as well as marital relationships.

Recent studies actually show that persistent pain causes changes in the brain and spinal cord which results to more pain. On the other hand, people whose pain is controlled, those who take medications or surgery eventually have fewer complications, get out of the hospital faster and recover better.

Author: Ramon Bravante

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Crowing About Chronic Pain

If you're suffering from chronic pain, you have so much to crow about. A life of chronic pain is not easy. It interferes with daily function such as walking, playing, working, or even the ability to take care of one's self. And once depression, anxiety, stress, and anger set in, these can make the pain even worse. These negative emotions can reduce the body's natural painkillers and may increase the body's sensitivity to pain.

The origins of chronic pain may be any of the following injury: sports injuries, back injuries, or car accidents. Or it could also be caused by health conditions such as migraines, diabetes, arthritis, shingles, and cancer.

However, there are cases when there is no obvious cause of the chronic pain, no trauma or injury people can point to as a source of their chronic pain problem. And this can be very frustrating for both patients and their doctors.

It’s a good thing that today’s pain specialists have effective treatments to provide pain relief. These advances have emerged in the past several years, as researchers have gained a greater understanding of chronic pain and how it develops.


Author: Ramon Bravante

Monday, January 11, 2010

Living Well Even If You Have Arthritis

At age 45, Allan developed arthritis and, as years went by, his body deteriorated so much that he had to go on early retirement. His condition was diagnosed by the doctor as rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of tissues around joints and other parts of the body. As a man, he took pride in being a hardworking professional. In the office, he was a “can-do” manager who always showed great enthusiasm in accomplishing high-pressure tasks. Allan was also known as an active sportsman who took physical fitness very seriously. Now, he had to contend with a disease that came like a “thief in the night.” He felt the arthritic pain when he turned 40 but made nothing out it. Somehow, he believed that his physical condition was still very good and that a slight pain need not stop him from doing his work. Of course, he was just being in a state of denial. He just could not believe how the disease could easily disrupt his once “blissful” existence.

Robbed out of his physical vitality, he had to give up his job and seek medication. The pain and disfigured bones were just too much for him to bear. The symptoms of the rheumatoid arthritis were just too severe for him to handle. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was no longer in control.

Like Allan, thousands if not millions of people are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. Nearly 40 million Americans are afflicted with arthritis and regularly visit the doctor to get arthritis pain relief. It is a disease that affects not only older men, but also women and children.

Gaining a better understanding of arthritis may help people to prepare and be informed about the proper management and control of this ailment. There are actually four types of arthritis, namely:


  1. Rheumatoid arthritis- a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints. It can develop systemic problems including inflammation of blood vessels and bumps which is also called rheumatoid nodules in various parts of the body. Women are more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis than men and about 80% are diagnosed between the ages of 35-50.


  1. Inflammatory arthritis - a type of arthritis that is characterized by swelling and stiffening of the joints.


  1. Degenerative arthritis - gradual deterioration of cells and organs along with loss of function


  1. Miscellaneous arthritis

Despite the seemingly overwhelming effects of this disease, arthritis sufferers can manage their pain through rest, rehabilitation, and proper medication. Finding the perfect product for arthritis pain relief is important. There are a lot of over -the- counter pain relievers out in the market. Still, it is advisable to consult a doctor or pain therapist about choosing a drug remedy to arthritic pain.

Aside from taking medication, arthritis sufferers need to look out for other alternatives and supplemental treatment methods to manage the disease. Surely, living day-to-day with arthritic pain takes an enormous amount of courage and resilience. Your spirit may oftentimes be so close to the brink of being crushed because of the excruciating pain.

But there is always hope for you and others who desperately need arthritis pain relief. Getting arthritis pain relief is not an impossibility. Here are some suggestions that might help you manage or overcome the pain associated with this disease:


  • Get moral support from your family, relatives, friends. You can also join a support group near your area where you can share your struggles with the disease with others who also suffer from arthritis. Members of a support group face almost exactly the same challenges that you face. They would be in the best position to understand or to empathize with what you are going through.


  • Educate yourself. Read books, listen to audio tapes, or watch videos about arthritis and the various methods to control it. You can also browse the Internet to get more information about the treatment options available to arthritis patients.


  • Try to keep busy. Regular exercise can help prevent arthritis or improve your over-all sense of well-being. Activities that require minimal physical exertion are best. But if you are still physically mobile, you can try cycling or taking short hikes. Going to a park or visiting nature sites can help promote serenity and strength as you undergo therapy or medication.


  • Eliminate stress. Avoid situations and persons that contribute to your stress.


  • Positive Thinking. Being optimistic does wonders to an arthritis patient or to anyone who is sick, for that matter. Combined with proper medication or other forms of therapy, a positive attitude will go a long way in improving your health. By being optimistic, you also make it easier on other family members who have to care for you in times when you are under intense arthritic pain.

Ultimately, getting arthritis pain relief is a combination of rest, proper medication, and the right attitude in life. Obtaining arthritis pain relief is not difficult especially if you are fully committed to restoring your health --- which is necessary to have a fulfilled, pain-free life.


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Forgive and Forget – It Drives Muscle Pains Away

People who find it difficult to forgive and forget are more prone to muscle tension and high blood pressure. Unkown to many, simple as it may seem, refusal to forgive and forget the mistakes of others may cause serious health problems.
Experts say the load of not being able to forgive causes too much tension on the muscles. The tension transcends to pain in the neck, shoulders and lower back. Although musculoskeletal disorders are not fatal per se, they comprise one of the most common and costly health problems in Europe and North America today.
A recent investigation in the Nordic countries shows that the costs associated with musculoskeletal diseases including absenteeism, early retirement, medical treatment and rehabilitation account for between three and five percent of the gross national product. About 30 percent of these costs can be attributed to work-related factors.
Musculoskeletal disorders differ from many other major health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, in that symptoms often appear very early in life.
Attempts have been made to establish threshold limit values for static load like thresholds of 2-5% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) have been suggested for shoulder muscles. However, another study showed that there is no safe lower limit as even ry low levels of activation may contribute to the development of chronic pain syndromes.
Although it has been documented that physically monotonous or repetitive work is associated with an increase in shoulder and neck pain, more recent studies also report an association between psychosocial factors at the work place and musculoskeletal disorders.
Researches have established that musculoskeletal disorders seem to have a multifactorial etiology, where psychosocial factors and the physical environment interact with individual characteristics, behavior and life style.
But because lifestyles cannot be changed overnight and feelings like remorse, guilt and reproach are not easy to overcome, most people still have no other choice but to suffer the consequence – muscle tension, neck and back pain.
It is during these moments that Soma comes as a convenient solution. Taking Soma, a muscle relaxants can be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the start of low back pain. This muscle relaxant can be ordered online at drugstoretm.com. and is delivered right at the patient’s doorstep. Getting one will not cause any more pressure.
As theories that stress and tension cause muscle pain, health experts advise everyone to try to contain feelings that causes them. One of their recommendations is to forgive and forget. Many people do cause us pain everyday and it is not easy to just throw the pain at the window pane.
Yet just as it has always been said to be divine, forgiving helps lower blood pressure and ease muscle tension so you can feel more relaxed.