Archive for the ‘Pain Management’ Category
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 |
Having arthritis is common in most people of the world. Even though it is a very common disease, it is painful and very incurable at the moment. You can be at risk for getting arthritis and you may not even know it. Some of the conditions cannot be changed but there are a number of things that you can do to prevent arthritis from happening to you later on in life. Take a look at the risk in your life and what you can do to prevent arthritis from happening to you and causing great pain in your life.
You must first understand arthritis. It can affect anyone of any age, gender or race. Even babies at a young age of six months can develop arthritis. It is true that your risks will increase after the age of 40. There are different things that can increase your risk of arthritis as well. For example sports injuries can often occur and it is necessary to continue treating your injury throughout your life to prevent more serious conditions later on in life.
Weight is very important when it comes to having arthritis. If you are more than 30 pounds overweight, having this extra stress can affect your joints and create arthritis pain. Having a good healthy weight and exercising and eating right is very important when it comes to your health.
Genetics will also play a very important part in the development of arthritis. There is not much that you can do to counteract it. However if you live a good and healthy life, you can lower the risk of arthritis conditions in your body at a young age. Women are more at risk than men for getting different kinds of arthritis pain. This is because of the hormonal changes that a woman will go through. Keeping hormones in order by seeing your doctor regularly will put you at a lower risk for arthritis. African Americans are more likely to have lupus, which is an arthritic disease. Caucasians are at a larger risk for getting rheumatoid arthritis. There are certain groups of Americans that are at risk for getting certain type of arthritis.
If you are at a greater risk for arthritis, you need to take the right steps to reduce your chances of getting a disease. Having a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising well is going to keep you at a lower risk. Even though arthritis can be difficult to deal with, you can prevent it from happening.
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Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 |
There are millions of Americans that suffer from the pain of arthritis and related conditions all the time. The most important thing to know is that you are not alone in this suffering. Many times you may feel like you are the only one going through this disease, but there are others that feel the same way that you do. Arthritis can be a very hard problem to understand and many patients who suffer from arthritis will feel like they are alone and confused. However, with some help, you can meet and talk to others that are dealing with the same pain of arthritis conditions. Joining one of the many different arthritis support groups will help you feel better about your condition and give you a better outlook on life.
The Arthritis Foundation is one of the non-profit organizations that were formed for those that have arthritis. There are over 100 different conditions that are related to arthritis and this foundation has worked hard to meet those needs and concerns for people. This organization will help to give out information about arthritic conditions as well as work as an advocate for the patients that are dealing with arthritis. They will sponsor medical research for the condition and hope to find a cure for it one day. The Arthritis Foundation will join in with many other organizations and companies to bring patients the service that they need. Their website will help those that are suffering and the family members and friends that want to learn more about how they can help and donate money towards arthritis research. You can also join an online organization and benefit from their different member services.
When you are looking for something on a personal level, you need to first find a local arthritis group and talk to your doctor about it. Usually hospitals will sponsor these types of support groups and help people cope with different disease and pain. Arthritis is no different. A local group will usually meet with others that are dealing with arthritis and get feedback on how to cope in daily life. These community groups are going to be lifelong friends and you can learn to live better and be more optimistic. You can check your local newspapers if your doctor does not know where to find a support group. You can even start your own group! If no support group exists in your town, there may be a huge need for someone to head up this type of project.
A support group is an important way for children that are suffering from arthritis as well. Arthritis is a condition that is usually more common with age; many children will feel isolated because they have it at such a young age. The children’s wing of your local hospital may be able to help you find a support group. It makes no difference what age you are, you can get benefits from the community or support group when you have arthritis. You need to look online and talk to your doctor about more information on this subject.
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Monday, March 24th, 2008 |
There are different kinds of arthritic conditions. There are over 100 and one of these conditions is a very debilitating disorder that is called Paget’s disease. This type of arthritis is usually going to affect patients who are in their later years of life. This will be between the ages of 50 and 70. This is a chronic skeletal condition that is similar to osteoarthritis. It is sometimes misdiagnosed. Paget’s disease can be painful and make life hard but there are many things that you can do to prevent this disease from happening as well as a number of treatments if you have already started to get the disease.
Paget’s disease is characterized by enlarged and deformed bone structure in one or more parts of the body. The pelvis, legs, skull and back are more commonly affected with the disease and it can result in high amounts of arthritic pain and can also account for hearing loss that starts in the skull. The patient’s bones are fragile and fractures can happen easily. There is no one-way of cause for Paget’s disease but there are many things that a person can do if they develop this type of pain.
Paget’s Disease can occur when the enzyme SAP is overly produced in the bones and causing it to grow abnormally and start to be weak. Measuring SAP is what doctors can do to determine if the pain that you are having is due to Paget’s even if you may see some other signs like bowed limbs. SAP is measured often with a blood test and higher than normal levels along with normal kidney function. Doctors will also use SAP level readings to chart how patients are reacting to different forms of treatment for their conditions.
Bisphosponates and calcitonin are the two types of drugs that are ready by the Food and Drug Administration to treat Paget’s disease. There are doctors that may sometimes recommend surgery for fractures or extreme deformities. There are alternative medical treatments that can also help patients cope with the pain. This will include acupuncture, massage, cupping, medication, and Eastern exercises like Yoga.
It is important to remain positive with the treatment. Paget’s Disease can be extremely painful but it is possible for patients to live even when they are suffering from the disease. You need to learn all that you can about the illness and stay educated on new medications and treatments so that you can take good care of your body and keep healthy.
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Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 |
Psoriasis Arthritis is an illness that affects millions of people. There is no cure yet for it. It is known for the swelling of joints and scaly patches of skin. This type of arthritis is related to the skin condition of psoriasis and it also affects millions of people around the world. If you or someone that you know is dealing with psoriatic arthritis it is necessary to do the right research for this condition in order to completely understand its symptoms and treatment options that are out there for the pain. With learning all that you can about psoriatic arthritis and all the drugs that treat it you can get a better understanding of how to treat it. Your doctor will be able to provide you with the right information so that you can read on it and use the different organizations that are located on the Internet and at the centers across the country.
There are a lot of people that are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and experience swelling of the joints in the body. This will include the wrists, knees, back, elbows, and fingers. This condition will also bring gray areas of skin that are very dry around the knees, elbows and lower back. The people that are suffering from the condition will often have fingers that appear sausage like and pitted nails or cuts around the fingernails. The cause of the condition is not known but experts think that a combination of genetic predispositions and the environment play roles in the development of psoriatic arthritis. You can find these problems at any age and with any gender or race. The most common age for psoriatic arthritis will start between age 20 and 50.
This is a condition that is tricky because the patients are dealing with the two fused diseases. One is of the skin and the one of the joints. It is important to talk to your doctor or have another medical professional helping you with treatments. There are many drugs that can have a negative reaction to it. There are different options other than medication that you can use to treat this disease. Some exercises will work well with those patients that have swelling in their joints. You can also have skin therapy to treat psoriatic parts of the disease. Heat and cold can be used to treat psoriatic arthritis. Rest is very important too. Using splints and surgery are not usually used but the options are available for more of the extreme conditions. Cosmetically this is a disease that can be treated with laser surgery light treatment. There are other corrective cosmetic surgeries too. You can talk to our doctor to find out more on this disease and your options for treatments.
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Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 |
If you are dealing with arthritis, one of the hardest things to deal with is the insomnia. The sleeping disorder is going to prevent you from getting the rest that you need to stay healthy and this will in return make your arthritis worse. It can be a terrible cycle that you are dealing with. There are many things that you can do to take on arthritis and it is important to consider all of the options so that you can get a better night’s rest every time you go to bed.
Having insomnia is figured out by a number of problems. You must first have difficulty falling asleep. Many people will experience this at some point in their life. However if you are frequently finding it hard to drift off to sleep, you may want to talk to your doctor about it. If you are waking up often through the night for no good reason, this is a symptom too. This will usually happen to everyone and more so to people if they are new parents. If you are finding that you are constantly tossing and turning more than once a week, you are probably dealing with insomnia. Some with insomnia will sleep throughout the night. Their problem may be that they wake up too early or they do not feel refreshed after many hours of sleep. It will depend on how frequently insomnia happens for you and if you can be diagnosed with short-term insomnia, intermittent insomnia or chronic insomnia.
Anyone that suffers from arthritis will also find that they have chronic insomnia or insomnia that does not go away and occurs for a long time period. There are many reasons that chronic insomnia is found in people that do have arthritis. The pain will keep some awake at night and will occur with illness but some of the patients find that their joints are painful and inflamed after they do activity. A second reason of insomnia due to arthritis is a high level of stress that most patients with arthritis have. Worrying about an appointment with a doctor can cause a person to stay awake all night long. There is no difference for any patient that is young and just recently diagnosed or older and has had the problem of arthritis for many years. Insomnia can be a side of effect of the medicine that is used to treat arthritis. These medicines may rid the pain but can make you stay up all night. Without taking the medication, you may also be awake all night with pain.
There are a number of ideas that a person can do for insomnia. You are not alone is the first step. You need to talk to your doctor about any medications that you are taking that keep you up all night. There are going to be side effects of drugs and they can be addicting as well. Taking the right steps to take the stress out of your life is going to help you sleep better at night too. You and your doctor are the only people that can take the right course of action to fix the insomnia in your life. Talk to them and get a good night’s sleep because it is essential for healthy living.
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Thursday, February 28th, 2008 |
Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that affects the muscles and joints and is seen in only 3-6% of the general population in the world. It’s generally seen more in females than males with a ratio percentage of 9.1 according to the College of Rhumatology and is commonly diagnosed in females between the ages of 20-50 though it’s been noted that the onset happens in childhood. This is not a life-threatening disease though the degree of pain in the condition can vary day to day with periods of flare ups and remission. The disease is being argued and viewed as non-progressive, but that’s a point that remains in limbo.
This is a problematic issue that can be a reason to keep someone up at night because the pain can be unbearable with the tingling and achiness in the muscles. This drives many who deal with this to endless and chronic deprivation of sleep. Those who suffer fibromyalgia also note issues with memory and other neurological issues, but the most frequent is the issues with sleeping that individuals go through when they deal with painful, annoying flare-ups.
Other issues that surround this problem, which can make sleeping very difficult, are irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, which affects mostly women and few men. Skin disorders like dermatological disorders, headaches, myofacial twitching, and symptomatic hypoglycemia. Stress, excessive physical exertion, lack of sleep, changes in temperature and baromic pressure. This condition can worsen when individuals don’t sleep or getting the proper rest and not overdoing on things in their daily lives.
The American Medical Association had officially recognized fibromyalgia as a medical condition back in 1987 when the disorder was around since the 1800s. It’s been said that flare ups are not identical to the ones that are found in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but ibuprofen like Advil, Acenomenofen (Tylenol), and Neproxine (Aleve) which are anti-inflammatory and can bring some comfort to those with fibromyalgia flare ups. Massage has also been ideal in helping those who deal with fibromyalgia to find comfort when they have flare ups. Massage helps to transfer fluids from the muscles and joints and increases circulation to the affected areas to bring some temporary relief for inflammation and flare ups.
Which can actually help improve sleep for someone in pain, but it’s best to get a massage when you’re not on any medication due to the high risk of side effects that can be triggered from massaging tissue and muscles.
Fibromyalgia is a manageable problem if you follow your doctor’s instructions and take your medication as directed and getting the right amount of sleep and getting plenty of exercise and eating a nutritious diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water and limiting things in the diet that can also aggravate flare ups. When you take care of yourself properly you can actually improve the quality of sleep as well as decreasing the debilitating pain.
That can keep someone up all night long instead of allowing them to sleep and getting in a decent amount of time for rest and feeling stress free and more relaxed, so that they can face the day with no painful flare ups and discomfort that can be annoying.
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 |
Sprains and strains are among the majority of the injuries caused while playing sports. Sports injuries can be caused by small trauma which involves ligaments, muscles and tendons including bruises, sprains and strains. The body part which is most commonly involved in spraining or straining is the ankle. The 3 ligaments that are involved during ankle sprain or strain include anterior talofubular ligament, posterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament.
An injury caused to the soft tissue as a result of a direct force like fall, kick and blow is called a contusion or a bruise. A sprain is nothing but a ligament injury which is wrenched or twisted. Sprains usually affect knees, wrists and ankles. On the other hand a strain is an injury caused to a tendon or muscle which usually results from force, stretching and overuse.
Sprains/Strains are usually diagnosed by a physician after a physical examination. The physician asks for thorough medical history of the adolescent and asks various questions that lead to the cause of the injury. Various diagnostic procedures are also available which also helps in evaluating the problem. X-ray is one of the oldest and common diagnostic tests done to know the extent and exact location of the injury. An x-ray uses electromagnetic waves to get photos of internal tissues, organs and bones onto a film. MRI scan is one of the recently evolved diagnostic procedures which also help in evaluating a physical injury. This procedure actually called Magnetic Resonance Imaging makes use of bug magnets, computer and radio frequencies to get detailed pictures of structures and organs inside the body. Another diagnostic procedure called Computed Tomography Scan or CT scan is also used to evaluate the extent and location of injury. This procedure uses a blend of computers and x-rays to get cross sectional pictures in horizontal and vertical alignment. It shows thorough pictures of any part of the body like muscles, bones, fat and organs. They provide more information than conventional x-rays.
There are various symptoms of strain and sprain depending on each teen’s physical condition and they may vary accordingly. One of the symptoms includes pain in and around the area injury. There could also be a swelling around the injured area. Some teens also experience difficulty when they use or move the area of the body that is injured. Some teenagers also undergo bruises or redness in the area that is injured. Many times the symptoms of sprains and strains may look similar to other medical conditions and a doctor’s advice is the best option in this scenario.
Depending on various factors the treatment of sprains and strains will be prescribed by the teenager’s physician that include teenager’s age, overall health of the teenager, and medical history of the adolescent. To what extent the teen is injured is also a factor in determining the nature of treatment. A teenager’s level of tolerance to certain medications, therapies and procedures is also taken into consideration before opting for a particular method of treatment. The treatment also depends of what expectations one has and also preference and opinion.
Various options available for treatment include things like restriction of the activity after the injury, application of cast/splint on the injured spot, crutches or wheelchair, physical therapy which involves stretching exercises to give strength to the muscles, tendons and ligaments that are injured and last but not the least is the surgery which is opted for in worst case scenario.
In the long-term scenario bruises, sprains and strains heal pretty quickly in kids and teenagers but it is important that the adolescent sticks to the restrictions imposed during the treatment and healing process like restriction of activity and regularly attending physical therapy sessions if any. It is noted that majority of the sports related injuries results either due to traumatic injury or excessive use of muscles and joints. But, they can be avoided and prevented with right training, by wearing right protective gears and by using right equipment for training.
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Sunday, February 10th, 2008 |
Lower back pain plagues Americans to the extent that 80% will suffer from it at some time in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor. For many, the problem is more than a passing incident; they need physical therapy.
Physical therapy of different types can be used to treat lower back pain. Acupuncture is fast becoming an important method for the relief of such pain. The doctor has the patient lie face-down and inserts the acupuncture needles across the back. The doctor then finishes the procedure for lower back pain. Pain relief after a series of treatments usually lasts months.
Massage is also used for lower back pain. The massage used must be done by someone well-versed in the treatment of lower back pain. A massage done by an untrained person may do more harm than good.
These methods are called passive therapies, or modalities. They are done to the patient and not by the patient. There are other modalities that are commonly used. Heat and ice packs are a well-known form of passive physical therapy. They can be used separately, or they can be used alternately by a person who is suffering from acute lower back pain.
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) can be used as another modality for lower back pain. The patient will feel the sensation of the stimulator instead of his pain. If the TENS unit seems to work well for him, he will be sent home with one to use at his convenience.
Ultrasound is especially useful as a passive therapy for anyone with acute lower back pain. It delivers heat deep into the muscles of the lower back. This not only relieves pain. It can also speed healing.
Back exercises may be assigned by a physiotherapist. These exercises will help with lower back pain if one does them correctly and faithfully. The only exception is if the back is in an acute condition requiring emergency care or surgery.
The exercises that will help with lower back pain the most will be assigned and supervised by a physiotherapist. They may be done at home, but it will be necessary to follow instructions and check in frequently.
These exercises include ones for lower back pain that stretch or extend the back and ones that strengthen it. One is an exercise where one lies prone and moves as if swimming. This protects the back while giving the surrounding muscles a workout.
Lower back pain exercises called flexion exercises strengthen the midsection to provide support for the back. If the lower back pain is reduced when one sits, these exercises are important. One is a knee-to-chest exercise.
Aerobic exercise such as walking is excellent for reducing and preventing lower back pain as well. Massage and acupuncture can be counted on to relieve pain for most patients. Exercises can make the back stronger to both relieve and prevent lower back pain. Any physical therapy that can help relieve lower back pain will help millions of people.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 |
Shoulder pain is a common complaint. Often, a pain develops over time so that the patient is unsure where it began. Doctors are likely to recommend painkillers or physical therapy, but even then it can be difficult to stop the pain.
It can develop from injury, overuse or repetitive motion. If the cause is overuse or repetitive motion, the movement that’s causing the pain may not actually hurt the shoulder at the time. For example, typing at a desk with a bad ergonomic setup could cause shoulder pain over time even though your shoulders don’t seem to move much with typing. Physical therapists can often make good educated guesses based on their examination of the shoulder (which muscles are weak and which ones show signs of overuse) and questions they ask about your lifestyle and activities. Medical imaging such as X-rays or MRIs may also be helpful in diagnosing precisely what is wrong with your shoulder.
You may find relief from physical therapy exercises, from advice on improving your posture, from making changes in activities that involve shoulder use, from improved ergonomics, heat or ice, ultrasound (performed by a physical therapist), and from acupuncture or chiropractics.
Women can also suffer from shoulder and back pain due to ill-fitting bras that fail to support the weight of their breasts correctly. It is also possible for large breasts to be so heavy that no bra can help, in which case breast reduction surgery might be recommended, and often will be covered by insurance because it is a legitimate medical problem.
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008 |
Tennis elbow, or “lateral epicondylitis”, is a condition in which the elbow hurts and feels tender to the touch, and simple movements (such as grasping, carrying and lifting) become difficult. It can be the result of overuse of the wrist muscles, such as repetitive motion stress, injury or moving your arm in an awkward manner.
The pain tends to start on the outside of the forearm, just below the elbow, then branches out toward your wrist. It hurts to bend your arm or lift it, and gripping even small objects can be painful, as can extending the arm. The pain can last as long as twelve weeks.
The best treatment is simply rest. If you can identify a repetitive motion that’s causing the trouble, find an alternate motion. Wrist braces found in sporting goods shops can be helpful. A good tip for lifting objects is to keep your palm facing inward toward your body. The sooner you begin resting and avoiding motion stress, the sooner you will heal.
Applying ice to the area can decrease inflammation and pain. Mild heat may also be soothing. Do stretching exercises to strengthen and relax the muscles.
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