Fibromyalgia Management: An Introduction

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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