Pain Relief Management

Fibromyalgia Management: An Introduction

2011-03-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, general fatigue, soft tissue tenderness, and sleeping problems. The most affected areas include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvis, and hands. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia also experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that increase and wane over time.

While the underlying causes of fibromyalgia still remain a mystery, new studies continue to bring information on the basic mechanisms of the disorder. Most researchers agree that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system with neuro-endocrine and neurotransmitter dysfunction. Neurotransmitters of pain are in abundance while those that increase pain tolerance become dangerously low to be able to stave off the onset of pain.

Due to the variation of its symptoms, managing fibromyalgia requires a multidisciplinary approach. Physical rehabilitation and therapy, pain medications, and treatment for underlying injuries and illnesses are often prescribed for patients suffering from the disorder. Since chronic pain can also induce depression, psychological counseling and guidance are also recommended. The use of prescription medication, both for the chronic pain and psychological problems must also be strictly supervised since using them without a proper prescription can cause untoward side effects.

Jaw Pain

2010-04-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

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

Labor Pain Relief for First-Time Mothers

2010-04-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

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

Brief Meditation Can Increase Pain Tolerance

2010-03-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Cigarette Ad Targets Female Teens

2010-03-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

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.

Caffeine For Headache

2010-03-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

Magnetic Impulses To Ease Migraine

2010-03-12T12:30:00.001-08:00

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.

Suffering In Silence May Lead To Chronic Pain

2010-03-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

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.

Make Grooming And Hygiene Easier For Arthritis Patients

2010-03-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

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

New Chronic Heel Pain Relief

2010-02-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

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

What Causes Leg Pain

2010-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

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

Take The Pressure Off Your Back

2010-02-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

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

Treat Injuries Early On

2010-01-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

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

The Advent Of Pain Management

2010-01-25T10:24:00.000-08:00

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

TENS Therapy For Pain Management

2010-01-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

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

The Fuss About Painkillers

2010-01-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

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

Crowing About Chronic Pain

2010-01-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

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

Living Well Even If You Have Arthritis

2010-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

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:

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.

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

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

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.

Forgive and Forget – It Drives Muscle Pains Away

2010-01-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

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.

Slight Pains May Be Indications of Myositis

2009-12-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Do you often find trouble climbing the stairs, reaching up or standing from a seated position? Do you often feel general tiredness and fatigue even if have not done much strenuous activities yet?

Watch out! These indications may not be as normal as you think but may be symptoms that you have myositis.

Myositis is inflammation of the skeletal muscles, which are also called the voluntary muscles. These are the muscles a person consciously controls to help you move your body. An injury, infection or autoimmune disease can cause myositis.

Myositis is a term that describes several different illnesses, including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis as well as forms of myositis that occur in children (juvenile myositis). Myositis also can occur in people with other rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma.

Although myositis can affect people of any age, most children who get the disease are between five and 15 years of age; most adults are between 30 and 60. Like many other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, most forms of myositis affect more women than men.

All forms of myositis involve chronic, or persistent, muscle inflammation. The inflammation most commonly affects muscles around the hips or shoulders, but can also occur in a single part of the body, such as one arm, one leg or just muscles that move the eye.

This almost always results in weakness, and less often in warmth, swelling and pain of the muscles. Myositis may be associated with inflammation in other organs, such as the joints, heart, lungs, intestines and skin.

The many forms of myositis begin and progress in different ways. In most people the illness develops slowly over a period of months or even years, but in some people problems can occur suddenly.

Many people with myositis learn ways of compensating as the disease begins and adjust so well that even they are not aware of the gradual progression of their disease for a long time.

The disease often appears to come (disease flare) and go (disease remission) for no apparent reason, and sometimes its form changes over time. Myositis flares usually are recognized by increasing symptoms of muscle weakness, fatigue, skin changes or arthritis.

Many forms of treatment for myositis exist. Most methods include medication, rest, exercise and physical therapy. Treatment will vary from person to person and will change over time for each individual.

Doctors recommend Soma for gnawing pain. Soma not only kills pain but also relaxes the muscles. Soma, available online at Online Pharmacy., is a trusted name in muscle problems. The specific therapy recommended by your doctor will depend upon the severity and type of problems, the presence of other medical conditions, and adverse reactions to previous therapy.

Doctors always advise patients to immediately seek medical attention if they feel any thing unusual with their health. Simple pains in various parts of the body may not be simple at all but are indications of more serious health conditions.

Healthy Work Habits Reduce Back Pain

2009-12-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Whether at home or at work, back pains are indeed annoying and bothersome.
Amid speculations that these are “part of daily life”, so many simple yet effective ways have been tried and tested to prevent the pain. Health experts advise, “understand what causes them and focus on prevention”.
Basically, researchers have established four work-related factors associated with increased risk of back pain and injury: force, repetition, posture and stress.
Exerting too much force on your back like frequently lifting or moving heavy objects may cause injury.
Repetitious tasks can lead to muscle fatigue and injury especially if they involve stretching to the end of your range of motion or awkward body positioning.
Position while sitting, standing or performing a task is important. Try to avoid one position for a long period of time. On average, your body can tolerate being in one position for about 20 minutes before you feel the need to adjust.
Pressures at work or at home can increase stress level and lead to muscle tension and tightness, which may in turn lead to back pain.
Prevention tips
“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” holds true in almost all medical conditions, doctors advise. Preventing back pain only requires a few “not-so-dramatic” changes and with regular practice, it will form part of your way of life.
If back pain continue to pester you, taking a muscle relaxant like Carisoprodol will be of great help. Carisoprodol, sold online through Online Drugstore Pharmacy., can be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the start of low back pain.
On top of the list of prevention is being fit. A regular exercise maintains a healthy and sturdy back. Pay attention to posture, avoid slouching or standing with a swayback. A good posture relaxes the muscles and requires minimal effort to balance the body.
In lifting objects, keep the object close to the body and get some help if load is too heavy. Adjust your work space and adopt healthy working habits. Eliminate high-risk and repetitive movements. Change sitting or standing position every so often.
For women, try as much as possible to avoid using high-heeled shoes, these strains the lower back. And lastly, learn to manage stress. Stress has been a known culprit for a number of diseases including back pain. Relax and live a healthy life.

Men Taking Pain Killers Prone To Hypertension

2009-12-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

Pain relievers are our first recourse every time gnawing pain strikes but studies showed that middle-aged men who regularly take the pills are at higher risk of developing hypertension.

Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin are the three most commonly used medications in the United States according to a report from Archives of Internal Medicine.

Despite the dangers and potential adverse effects, awareness among drug users remain low. Studies revealed that when taken regularly, more than 15 pills a week, these medications can actually increase blood pressure which may eventually lead to heart disease.

However, another study disclosed that frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not substantially increase a healthy man's risk of developing hypertension.

For this reason, manufacturers of known headache tablet Fioricet continue to warn their patients to be very careful in taking the drug. Fioricet, among the largest selling drugs today, are readily available online through Online Pharmacy. Yet the website includes warnings and precautions to users to avoid more serious side effects. Making people aware of the risks is the best way of avoiding dangers.

The study revealed men who used acetaminophen six to seven days a week had a 34 percent higher risk of hypertension than men who did not use the drug. Similarly, men who were taking aspirin at this frequency had a 26 percent higher risk.

Likewise, men took 15 or more pills a week had a 48 percent higher risk of hypertension than those who took no pills at all.

All three painkillers, according to medical researchers, may inhibit the effect of chemicals that would normally relax blood vessels and decrease blood pressure

The risky drugs

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhoea, fever. It is also used as an analgesic, especially where there is an inflammatory component.

Nonprescription aspirin is used to reduce fever and to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches, menstrual periods, arthritis, colds, toothaches, and muscle aches.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods, colds and sore throats, toothaches, backaches, reactions to vaccinations (shots), and to reduce fever. It may also be used to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis, arthritis caused by the breakdown of the lining of the joints.

Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics and antipyretics. It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body.

Drug Safety warning: Pain Killers Do Kill

2009-12-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

Feel pain? Have aspirin on hand to ease the twinge? Wait! Don’t take the rush in swallowing an aspirin to take off the ache as it may cause your life instead.
Studies showed that swallowing an aspirin each day may put your health at higher risk as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin might affect chemicals that help blood vessels relax.
Medical specialists aspirin carries a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, and not all people are aware of this so the consumption of the drug remains high.
Drug safety is increasingly a concern of doctors and patients but amid reports of dangers certain drugs cause on human lives, lawmakers have placed their hands on the issue.
Aspirins have been popular in pain relief but after the studies made, the medication has gradually lost its popularity. People who suffer chronic pain rely on other “safer” drugs like Tramadol.
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever but is not a narcotic. Tramadol, available online through Online Pharmacy, is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Its extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Researches have established that the use of aspirin carries a risk of death similar to driving a car or working as a firefighter.
They claimed Aspirin, clozapine, Tysabri and Vioxx all had risks equal to or greater than the annual mortality risks for firefighters and law enforcement workers which is about 11 per 100,000 person-year.
On September 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration pulled Vioxx from the market after research showed it doubled risk of heart attacks and strokes. That triggered an avalanche of lawsuits -- more than 27,000 so far.
On the other hand, the use of Tysabri, generically known as natalizumab, to treat multiple sclerosis raises the death rate by 65 per 100,000 people a year.
The drug was withdrawn from the U.S. market last year after three patients contracted a rare brain disease. The FDA, however, is reconsidering it after many patients said they would use it despite the risks.

Pain Relievers...What Good Do They Have to a Stressful Society

2009-12-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

In the early part of 1980, Time Magazine called stress “The Epidemic of the Eighties” saying that this is the leading health problem of society and government in this century. And more than twenty years later, the problem seems to have worsened. Stress has become a household word everyone must face and contend with.

Stress is a medical term for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome. There are two types of stress namely eustress, which is the so called "positive stress" and distress, the "negative stress". Roughly, these mean challenge and overload respectively.

Although a number of people refuse to accept they are beset with stress, it is a fact that everyone regardless of age, gender and status in society, are afflicted with stress at one time or another.

Stress takes some common symptoms including nervousness, rapid heart beat and dizziness. Sometimes, this would take the forms of panicky feelings, panic attacks, diarrhea and even stomach problems.

Medical experts have been moved to undergo further investigations on how to stop stress. However, as researches expanded, instead of finding means to stop stress, they discovered that stress has become a major cause of a number of ailments.

Researches divulged that stress at work has been linked with heart disease. It has been associated with loss of appetite, ulcers, mental disorder and migraines. Likewise stress has been said to cause difficulty in sleeping, emotional instability, disruption of social and family life. It was pointed to cause increased use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Stress, they say, can also affect worker attitudes and behavior. Some frequently reported consequences of stress among hospital workers are difficulties in communicating with very ill patients, maintaining pleasant relations with coworkers, and judging the seriousness of a potential emergency.

Stress Brings Pain

With stress taking the helm of the most common causes of diseases, pain, on the other hand followed through. Of course, the ailment caused by stress goes hand in hand with pain. Thus pain relievers have become a must-have in any household.

At the strike of pain, these pills become the first recourse of sufferers. Experts say that despite its subjective quality, the experience of pain is both real and reverberating. As one writer describes it, pain is dehumanizing. The severer the pain, the more it overshadows the patient's intelligence.

All she or he can think about is pain: there is no past pain-free memory, no pain-free future, only the pain-filled present. Pain destroys autonomy: the patient is afraid to make the slightest movement. All choices are focused on either relieving the present pain or preventing greater future pain, and for this, one will sell one's soul.

Pain is humiliating: it destroys all sense of self-esteem accompanied by feelings of helplessness in the grip of pain, dependency on drugs, and being a burden to others. In its extreme, pain destroys the soul itself and all will to live.

Pain Impact

Pain is more than physical. Unknown to many, pain causes lifestyle changes.

Untreated pain or pain not under control has a significant unfavorable impact on the sufferer’s quality of life. It affects their ability to concentrate, do their job, exercise, socialize, get a good night’s sleep, do leisure time activities, perform chores around home and have sex.

Emotional impact is also significant. Untreated pain or pain not under control makes people more depressed, irritable, listless and feeling useless and unable to cope. Overall, when pain comes under control there is significant improvement in what they can do and how they feel.

There is an exception to this. Those with severe or very severe pain still have a significantly less favorable quality of life and emotional well- being than is the case among moderate pain sufferers.

With these effects of pain on people's lives, pain relievers undeniably play a vital role. The tiny bitter pill may be the key to save lives, act as a “fire extinguisher” to control big fires, or maybe a policeman to catch a criminal. It may be too small, but the impact it has on the sufferer is too great that pain killers can indeed save lives.

In our present day society, characterized by stress and pain, these relievers can do great wonders, although sometimes, often taken for granted.

Natural Pain Relief Tricks For Childbirth

2009-12-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

Childbirth hurts. There really isn't any other way to sugarcoat the obvious, and it doesn't make sense if you try and make it politically correct. The grim reality is that natural childbirth hurts like hell, which is why women tend to split other people's ears when giving birth. Still, the various benefits to both mother and baby when undergoing a natural childbirth process are usually enough to outweigh the consideration of pain. Any woman that decides to go for the natural birth procedure had better be prepared for the pain. Part of the preparation process for something like this is the intimate knowledge and application of a variety of natural pain relief tricks and methods.

The absence of pain killers introduced into the mother's bloodstream eliminates the chances of those medications being introduced into the baby's system. While this phenomenon is rare, it has been known to occur, leaving newborns lethargic due to the drug's effects. In the absence of these medications, one of the foremost ways for a woman to control – or at least manage – the pain of childbirth lies in one of the most basic of human actions: breathing. Breathing can be used as a natural pain relief method if done in a certain manner, which is one of the reasons for it being almost stereotypically used as advice for women during childbirth. Breathing gets more oxygen to both the mother and the baby, along with improving the mother's ability to relax through the contractions.

Movement can actually be used as a natural pain relief method. Part of the problem with the hospital setup for natural childbirth is the fact that the mother isn't allowed to move or change positions. This is because of all the monitoring equipment that generally gets attached to the mother, making sure all of her vital signs are fine and she (and the baby) are in no immediate danger. However, being able to change positions can help relieve muscle pains, while a standing position can actually make the baby's movement through the birth canal much easier, thanks to the help of gravity. Freedom of movement also helps by allowing the mother to choose the most comfortable position for her to release the baby into the world.

Massage has been known to act as a sort of natural pain relief option for women undergoing childbirth, though not all women may experience the benefits. The lower back and the shoulders are prime spots for massage if the intention is to help reduce stress and pain, particularly during labor. The relaxing effect of a good massage can also go a long way in making it easier to bear the contractions needed to get the baby out of the mother's birth canal. Some attention to the lower back can also be spared to help relieve pressure on the back muscles, though the pressure there has to be much firmer than on other areas of the body. For some women, the additional application of heat – such as water bags filled with warm, but not hot, water – can also help the muscles relax better during childbirth.

Water is perhaps one of the most natural pain relief options for childbirth available. The natural buoyancy of water can help relieve the pressure on the muscles of the lower back during labor. It can also help by giving a natural relaxing effect to the body, soothing cramped and tired muscles. It should be noted that not all hospitals can offer this option, and it may not be advisable to give birth in a natural body of water, so this might not be available to all women.

Defying Pain

2009-12-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

Men are expected to be tough not just in the face of danger but in all circumstances. When it comes to pain tolerance, studies show that the difference in sex or gender influences pain perception: that women usually display lower pain tolerance than men. Thus, a man's higher tolerance for pain, afterall, is not an issue of machismo but has physiological basis.
Whether the mechanisms underlying this difference are hormonal, genetic or psychological, no one can tell yet. However, some researchers said that men can be more motivated to express a tolerance for pain due to masculine stereotyping, while feminine stereotyping encourages pain expression and lower pain tolerance.
Pain tolerance is the duration of pain intensity that a person is willing to endure at any given time. Tolerance for pain varies from person to person, and may even fluctuate for an individual. In addition to sex or gender, factors affecting pain tolerance also include age, race and ethnicity, motivation to endure pain, past experiences with pain, coping skills, and energy level.
There is a wrong notion that past experiences with pain increases pain tolerance. On the contrary, repeated experience with pain can make a person be aware of how severe a pain can become and how difficult it is to get a relief. That is why it is possible that someone who has repeated experiences with pain may have a higher level of anxiety and less pain tolerance.
Unrelieved pain, such as depressed immune function, decreased subcutaneous oxygenation that leads to infection, and respiratory dysfunction may produce detrimental effects. Pain management can help minimize, if not totally eliminate, enduring as much pain as possible.
Society has high regard for people whose pain tolerance exceed beyond expectations. Those who defied pain from poisonous insect stings and animal bites, as well as pain from vehicular crashes, accidents and natural disasters all have made it to the elite list of the Guiness Book of World Records.