Archive for the ‘Health Resources’ Category

Relieving Joint Pains the Natural Way

August 6th, 2010 by Tramadol

Joint pains are very common mostly among the adult population today. It is said that this problem has become more evident because of the changes in lifestyle and diet most adult people undergo presently. Joint pains may be caused by factors such as wear-and-tear, metabolism, autoimmunity, and infections. Regardless of its cause, the usual symptoms of joints pains include inflammation or swelling of the area involved, weight loss, and pain in the joint area lasting for more than 3 days. Relief for the pain and discomfort caused by joint inflammations can be achieved by using home-made remedies involving all-natural components. Widely-used herbal treatments for joint pains are enumerated below.

1.Arthcare – Arthcare is an anti-arthritis herbal formula that comes in the form of oil or capsules. Aside from relieving the pain brought about by the inflammation, it also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal system, and the neuromuscular systems for better mobility of the joints and muscles. It successfully penetrates the skin tissue fast and provides immediate relief for conditions such as backaches, muscular strains, and rheumatic pains.

2.Boswellia – Boswellia’s extract is noted to be effective in reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It inhibits inflammation-causing substances, speeds up cartilage formation, and improves blood supply to the joints. It has been used for centuries in India by Ayurvedic physicians as one of the most effective arthritis herbal remedy.

3.Ashwagandha – Ashwagandha is an asian plant which is classified under the “potato” family. It has earned its title of being the “Indian Ginseng” since it has been noted to be a very effective treatments for conditions like rheumatism, high blood pressure, immune dysfunction, inflammation problems, and even erection problems.

4.Ginger – Ginger is known to inhibit production of prostaglandin and leukotriene which are the usual components present during conditions involving pain and inflammation. A 1992 Danish study involving the observation of ginger’s effects to individuals with musculoskeletal pain reported that ginger has provided a degree of pain relief to the individuals without causing any other side effects.

5.Camphor and Menthol – Camphor and menthol are chemicals known to ease muscle tightness and are usually contained in various backache medications. These chemicals come from natural sources such as peppermint and spearmint for menthol and lavender and hyssop for camphor.

The exact amount of dosage of these natural remedies, however, are difficult to determine and the level of its effectiveness relative to the amount of the substance used or taken. This is one of the disadvantages of using herbal or home-made remedies. When these treatments are already exhausted, however, the painful condition such as joint pain still persists, it is better to immediately take prescription medication such as Fioricet or Tramadol to relieve pain. Fioricet and Tramadol are among the most prescribed pain reliever medications that provide fast and efficient relief to certain health conditions.

Natural or home-made remedies have the advantage of avoiding certain side-effects from occurring which may primarily be brought about by use of drugs or medications. On the other hand, over-the-counter or prescription drugs can boast of being scientifically-based, measurable, and efficiently controlled. Aside from these characteristics of medications, it is also important to note if these drugs are made from well-known pharmaceutical companies and have the assurance of being of high quality. Finally, it is also practical to look for some medications offered on-line that are of reasonably low prices without having to compromise the quality of the drug itself.



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Understanding your Migraine Headache Triggers

August 1st, 2010 by Tramadol

All you have to do for proof is examine the statistics. In America alone, over twenty-eight million people suffer from migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are more common in women; for every one man who suffers from a migraine headache, there are three women.

Migraines and migraine headache triggers have become somewhat easier to manage than they used to be. Often times, you can just examine the migraine headache triggers and determine which aspect of your life is the cause of your migraine headaches. Once you know which migraine headache triggers relate to your situation, it will become easier to find a treatment.

What Are the Most Common Migraine Headache Triggers?

Of all the migraine headache triggers, the most common one is stress. Another common trigger of migraines is certain foods, such as alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, aspartame, caffeine, msg, seasonings, and some canned or processed foods. Migraines can also be caused by fasting or skipping meals.

Physical factors such as increased sexual activity, intense exercise, or a change in sleep patterns are also migraine headache triggers. Changes in the environment and certain medications often act as triggers of migraine headaches, as do sun glare and bright lights. Hormonal changes can also cause migraines, and this may be why a significantly greater number of women than men are affected by migraines. Some women experience migraines during pregnancy or menopause.

Are You at Risk?

There are several risk factors that make someone more prone to migraine headaches. Migraine headaches most commonly occur in girls that have already passed through puberty. Women who experience migraines find that their likelihood of experiencing one increases during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. Migraine headaches also run in families; if even one of your parents’ experiences migraines then you are much more likely to develop them yourself.

Treating Migraine Headaches

Although previously, the only way to treat migraine headaches was to take aspirin, this is no longer the case. Now, there are both preventative medications and pain-relieving medications that are intended specifically for migraine treatment. There are also other alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, vitamins, herbs, minerals, and biofeedback. Migraine headaches can be prevented by maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.



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Strategies For Quitting a Coffee Or Caffeine Addiction

July 27th, 2010 by Tramadol

When quitting caffeine, it is true that you are withdrawing form a drug, so there will typically be symptoms. But if you know what to expect and follow a few simple strategies, then your experience shouldn’t be too bad. There are essentially two approaches to giving up caffeine: stopping cold turkey, or a gradual withdrawal.

It is extremely hard to stop cold turkey, as you suddenly no longer get your morning “fix”, causing you to feel lightheaded and shaky. As the day progresses, people start to feel irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, sleepy, and develop a huge headache. These headaches are caused by the reduction in caffeine, which makes the body oversensitive to adenosine, making blood pressure drop dramatically and excess blood to fill the head. This headache usually lasts from one to five days and can usually be alleviated with ibuprofen or aspirin. Nausea and vomiting have even been reported in some extreme cases. The second day of the cold turkey cure is a little bit easier, and you should feel like a new person within a week.

To ease the shock of eliminating coffee all at once, there are several tricks that are suggested, including starting the day with a cold shower, deep breathing, standing on your shoulders to bring blood to your head, and exercise to get your circulation pumping. A lot of people who are successful with the cold turkey approach do it while they are on vacation.

Gradual withdrawal is much easier for most people, with the first step being to determine how much caffeine you average each day. Keeping a journal or making notes in your planner for a week is a good idea, as you need to remember to count all coffees, teas, soft drinks, chocolate bars, and medicines that you know contain caffeine. Once you figure out how much caffeine you average, make a plan to reduce caffeine each day, which is known as caffeine fading. It is also important to set a target day for being caffeine free, a time period of a month is suggested. The easiest first step is to switch to a lower caffeine type of coffee, while others claim that the best way is cut down daily caffeine intake by half a cup.

If you choose to do this method, plan ahead and make sure to have substitutes available, with many colas having a caffeine-free version. You can also try using half-decaffeinated/half-caffeinated for a while and slowly decreasing to full decaf. If you like milk in your coffee, you can simply add more to reduce the amount of caffeine you are taking in. When dependant on caffeine, you may snack more during the day without even realizing it, as a way to keep blood sugar high. Therefore, you may even lose a few pounds once you give up caffeine. Although there may be no substitute in something that tastes quite like coffee, there are toasted grain beverages and a variety of herbal teas that are much healthier than caffeinated coffee.

Other suggestions for overcoming you addiction to caffeine are avoiding people, places, and things that you associate with coffee; cleansing your system with a detox diet; hypnosis, relaxation techniques, visualization, yoga, and tai chi; regular exercise, and adding a multiple vitamin to your diet for energy will help your fight against caffeine addiction.



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The Facts And Details On Arthritis

July 27th, 2010 by Tramadol

More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance (such as in osteoarthritis), infections (such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease), and an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Treatment programs, when possible, are often directed toward the precise cause of the arthritis.

If joint pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, loss of motion or deformity occurs, medical evaluation by a health-care professional is warranted. Even minor joint symptoms that persist unexplained for over one week should be evaluated. For many forms of arthritis, it is essential that patients have an early evaluation as it is clear that this can both prevent damage and disability as well as make optimal treatment easier.

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet. A joint functions to allow movement of the body parts it connects. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas as well.

There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 have been described so far, and the number is growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation as a result of an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.

For many patients with arthritis, mild pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient treatment. Studies have shown that acetaminophen given in adequate doses can often be equally as effective as prescription anti-inflammatory medications in relieving pain in osteoarthritis.

Since acetaminophen has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDS, especially among elderly patients, acetaminophen is often the preferred initial drug given to patients with osteoarthritis. Pain-relieving creams applied to the skin over the joints can provide relief of minor arthritis pain. Examples include capsaicin, salycin, methyl salicylate, and menthol.

Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Over 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.

Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present. Loss of range of motion and deformity can result. Certain forms of arthritis can also be associated with pain and inflammation of tendons surrounding joints.

Some forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than a serious medical problem. However, millions of people suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications.

Moreover, many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.

The treatment of arthritis depends on which particular form of arthritis is present, its location, severity, persistence, and any underlying background medical conditions of the patient. Each treatment program must be customized for the individual patient.

Treatment programs can incorporate home remedies, nonprescription and prescription medications, joint injections, and surgical operations. Some treatment programs involve weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert excessive stress on the joint. The goal of treatment of arthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while preventing damage and improving and maintaining joint function.

Not every person with arthritis requires medical attention. For example, some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain and may not need treatment. However, for those with persisting joint symptoms, the ideal steps to take should lead to a proper diagnosis and an optimal long-term treatment plan. This plan must be customized for each person affected, depending on the joints involved and the severity of symptoms.

Surgery is generally reserved for those patients with arthritis that is particularly severe and unresponsive to the conservative treatments. Surgical procedures can be performed to relieve pain, improve function, and correct deformity. Occasionally, joint tissue is surgically removed for the purpose of biopsy and diagnosis. Doctors who specialize in joint surgery are orthopedic surgeons.

Currently, prevention of arthritis focuses on avoiding joint injury and early diagnosis and treatment. Research clearly demonstrates that early diagnosis and treatment can result in less damage, deformity, disability, and even mortality in rheumatoid disease.

The treatment of rheumatoid disease is not only more effective but easier when administered early.

Additionally, maintaining overall good health and strength with exercise and good nutrition can be helpful in preventing joint disease.



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Medicine Toxicity In Cats

July 24th, 2010 by Tramadol

Vet professionals can provide pet owners with ample amounts of information regarding pet health—it is suggested that pet owners have a close personal relationship with their vets. Vets state that pet owners should be more aware of acetaminophen and its use, and that it should not be administered to pets.

Acetaminophen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug commonly available in such human forms as Tylenol and Percoset. It is also used in various other cold and flu medications. Although acetaminophen is a safe drug for humans to take to relieve minor aches and pains, it is highly toxic to your cat! Even one pill can be a deadly dose for a cat. Vets tell us to never give Tylenol (or any other form of acetaminophen) to your cat! Naturally, as a pet owner, I have heard people state that they have given their animals, dogs and cats, medications which were meant for humans. I did not think anything of it at the time; however, now that I am aware of this information, I will be more inclined to give others my opinion regarding their use of human medicines for animals.

While some cats suffer from acetaminophen toxicity because they are given a pill, many cats may eat pills that are just lying around the bathroom. Some cats can even destroy the bottle the pills come in and get to the pills and ingest them this way. If you ever give your cat acetaminophen or even suspect that it has had access to it, take it to your vet immediately!

In cats, acetaminophen is metabolized to a toxic compound that produces free radicals which are harmful to the liver and red blood cells. Early signs of acetaminophen toxicity include vomiting, drooling, dullness, and discoloration of the gums to a brownish color. Within 24 hours your cat may experience convulsions, a swollen face and extremities, a coma, or sudden death. After about 24 hours toxic, liver failure occurs and signs will include yellowing of the mucous membranes and eyes, and a painful abdomen.

Treatment is possible if started within a few hours of ingestion. Treatment will usually consist of IV fluids, and the administering of charcoal to your cat to bind the excess drug. The veterinarian may also give her something to induce vomiting. Your cat will need to stay in the veterinary hospital for a few days. If liver failure has occurred, your vet will try to prevent any further damage to the liver. However, prognosis for a complete recovery is very poor in this case.

To prevent a possible toxicity in your cat, never administer any medications of any kind without previous instructions from your vet. If you are in doubt about whether a certain drug is safe for your cat, call your veterinarian’s office and ask. Never just assume that a drug that is safe for you will be safe for your cat. Pet owners can take this good advice and apply it each day.

All pet owners should check with their vets for further information on their pets’ general health; other important helpful points, in addition to those stated above, can be obtained from vet professionals who are used to seeing various kinds of pets and therefore, can provide assistance to pet owners.



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L-Cysteine a Sulfur Containing Amino Acid to Boost the Detox

July 18th, 2010 by Tramadol

L-Cysteine is what is known as a non-essential amino acid, meaning that it can be biosynthesized by the body and hence not an essential part of your diet. Due to its possessing a thiol side chain, it is termed a hydrophilic amino acid with an affinity for aqueous systems. Because of this it is relatively highly reactive, and is therefore an important component of a large number of enzymes and proteins.

Although, after all, it is not an essential amino acid, deficiencies can occur in the young and in the old, and also in those suffering certain metabolic diseases. Dietary sources include high-protein foods such as chicken, turkey, pork, dairy products and vegetables such as cereals, broccoli, garlic and onions.

The biochemistry of this amino acid begins with another amino acid known as serine, and also methionine. The latter is fist converted to homocysteine, which is then combined with serine to form cystathionine. This is then converted into cysteine and alpha- ketobutyrate. The thiol group is highly reactive and gives cysteine its biological properties.

L-Cysteine possesses strong antioxidant properties due to the thiol group which easily undergoes redox reactions. However, it is for its detoxification effect on the body that the amino acid is mainly taken as a supplement. It is, therefore, these properties that we shall discuss first.

Cysteine can reduce the toxic effects of alcohol, such as a hangover or the more serious liver damage. The by-product of alcohol metabolism that does most damage and is responsible for the majority of the negative after-effects of excessive alcohol consumption is acetaldehyde. L-Cysteine converts acetaldehyde into the more acceptable acetic acid, and so prevents the aldehyde from having too much of a negative effect on your health and well-being. However, the results obtained from such studies have been from animals only, and the therapeutic effects of cysteine have not yet been tested on humans.

What has been tested and is known is that L-cysteine is effective in the detoxification of heavy metals in the body. A common source of heavy metal toxicity is mercury from amalgam fillings in the teeth. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared in 1989 that dental amalgams are a hazardous substance under the Superfund law, many people still have them in their mouths.

The thiol group and L-cysteine has a high affinity for mercury and other heavy metals, as previously stated, and a supplement can be used to remove from the body any mercury leached from mercury-based tooth fillings. It can also be used to bind to copper, lead and cadmium. Lead and cadmium are particularly toxic to the human body, and even though lead is no longer used in plumbing or paints, and cadmium in toys or paints, there are still many sources of these two heavy metals available that can lead to human toxification.

An L-cysteine supplement can be used to remove these heavy metals from the body. Any proteins containing cysteine will tightly bind heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, molybdenum, cobalt and mercury, and allow them to be excreted by the body in the usual fashion. This direct involvement in heavy metal detoxification is a very useful property of this amino acid.

Another detoxification application of L-cysteine is in direct involvement in protecting cellular glutathione levels, and also the prevention of the death of liver cells by acetaminophen poisoning. The latter is of particular interest to many people since acetaminophen is better known as paracetamol, and since this is a freely available over-the-counter drug, overdoses are not unknown. The result of an overdose is the necrosis of liver cells, with eventual liver failure and death.

The treatment of choice is N-acetylcysteine. If used within 10 hours of the overdose it is extremely effective, and even from 16 to 24 hours it is better than other controls. It is believed that the acetylcysteine liberates cysteine which, when available to the liver, enables the biosynthesis of glutathione. Glutathione can then maintain the production of the fifth metabolite required for the specific detoxification of the paracetamol/acetaminophen.

L-Cysteine is also an essential component in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A, an enzyme essential for the production of energy from fats and carbohydrates. It is also a very important component of hair, from which it is commercially produced. Without an adequate intake of L-cysteine the growth of healthy hair would not be possible.

There are several supplemental uses of L-cysteine including the treatment of bronchial conditions for which the amino acid can help to liquefy and clear mucus from the airways and lungs. It is also used to protect against side effects of chemotherapy treatment of cancers and for medical treatments for excessive exposure to radiation.

However, there are certain situations in which L-cysteine should be avoided when at all possible. Diabetics should not use it, and neither should those suffering from cystinuria, whereby large quantities of amino acids, including cystine, are excreted in their urine. L-cystine, incidentally, is formed by oxidation of L-cysteine.

Paradoxically the amino acid is one of the several hundred additives made to tobacco by the cigarette companies. Although, as with the majority of tobacco additives, its purpose is unknown there are two possible reasons for its inclusion. L-Cysteine is a known expectorant, so it could be added to promote the expectoration of mucus in the lungs which is promoted by smoking, and it also increases the production off the antioxidant glutathione that is depleted in smokers.

There are several other non-medical uses for the amino acid, but it is for is its detoxification properties that it is most used as a supplement. However, because it is largely derived from human hair or duck feathers, it may not be classed as kosher or halal in spite of many claims made to that effect, though the more expensive source of microbial fermentation from corn sugar can be.

The substance is recognized as safe by the FDA, and must be labeled as L-cysteine when it is present in a preparation intended for its therapeutic effects. Keep in mind however, that it should be avoided by diabetics. Look to your local or internet health food store for the amino acid L-cysteine.



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Resolving the Mystery of the Migraine Headaches

July 18th, 2010 by Tramadol

About Migraines

A migraine is a severe headache that tends to recur with symptoms like nausea and vomiting. The pain is usually on one side of the head and there is an added sensitivity to bright lights and noises. Moving around can make the headaches feel worse. Although, there are many forms of migraine headaches, classic and common are the two major varieties. People with migraines are called migraineurs.

About 15% of the population is affected by migraines. Three times more women than men are affected. Over 80% of migraineurs have family members who are regularly afflicted with migraines. Prominently migraines are of three types. They are:

Migraine without aura (common migraine): Accounting for 80% of all migraine headaches, no aura is seen before this common migraine affects an individual.

Migraine with aura (classic migraine): Usually preceded by an aura, this type of migraine is generally much worse than a common migraine. Usually, an aura is said to be a visual disturbance, that is, outlines of lights or jagged light images.

Status migrainosus: Generally, a long-lasting migraine, it does not go away by itself.

Causes of Migraine headaches

The medical fraternity thinks that the migraines are caused by a chemical or electrical problem in certain parts of the brain. A key element of a migraine headache is blood flow change in the brain. According to hypothesis, the nervous system responds to a trigger such as stress by creating spasms in the nerve-rich arteries at the base of the brain. The spasms constrict several arteries supplying blood to the brain, including arteries from the scalp and the neck. As these arteries tighten, the flow of blood to the brain is reduced. At the same time, platelets clump together and release a chemical called serotonin which also acts as a powerful constrictor of arteries. This further reduces blood and oxygen supply to the brain. In reaction to this, some arteries in the brain expand to meet the brain’s energy needs. This dilation is believed to cause migraine headaches. Because, migraine headaches tend to run in families, it can be assumed that genetic factors may also contribute to a person’s susceptibility to migraines.

Headache triggers can be things that are eaten, smelt, heard or seen. They are:

· Stress and time pressure, major hassles and losses, anger and conflict

· Smells and fumes, tobacco smoke, light glare or dazzle and weather changes

· Monthly periods, birth control pills, estrogen therapy and too much, too little or interrupted sleep

· Hunger, fasting and specific foods or beverages

· Excessive activity

· Certain medications

Certain foods that might trigger a migraine:

· Aged Cheese

· Bananas, figs and raisins

· Beer, wine and hard liquor

· Caffeine as well as caffeine withdrawal and chocolates

· Dairy products such as ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese, whipped cream and sour cream

· Fermented and pickled foods

· Monosodium glutamate (MSG), seasoned salt, canned soups, TV dinners, processed meats, and some processed nuts and snack chips

· Most citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit and lemons

· Nuts and peanuts

· Onions

· Pea pods or lima beans

· Processed meats, deli sandwich meats, hotdogs and other nitrite-containing meats

· Saccharin or aspartame in diet foods or diet sodas and drinks

· Sulfites in shrimp and processed potatoes, like boxed mashed potato mix

· Yeast-containing products, such as fresh breads and donuts

Medicines that might trigger a migraine headache are:

· Cimetidine (brand name: Tagamet)

· Estrogens (including birth control pills)

· Fenfluramine (brand name: Pondimin)

· Indomethacin (brand name: Indocin)

· Nifedipine (brand name: Adalat, Procardia)

· Nitroglycerin (brand name: Nitrostat)

· Pain killers (either overuse or withdrawal from them)

· Reserpine containing medicines (brand names: Ser-ap-Es, Hydropres, Regroton)

· Theophylline (brand name: TheoDur, Theo-24)

Migraine Guide

Having ridden the migraine train on several occasions, you may have an aura the acts like a warning whistle of the approaching headache. The pain builds slowly and steadily until you are in no position to tolerate the bright light and loud noises. You may even feel nauseated or end up vomitting. Lying down in a dark, quiet room is the only means that will help you ride it out.

While scientists still debate the exact mechanisms in the brain that cause migraines, there progress has helped them find treatment medications that may either be taken as soon as a migraine comes on or taken on a daily basis to help prevent migraines.

This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of a variety of treatments, to help determine the best course of action for your migraine.

Although, much can be done to prevent the onset of migraines like avoid triggers, exercise regularly and keep stress under control — most people with migraines will need medication. Providentially, medication options for migraines have expanded greatly in the last decade which helps keep migraine disruption to a minimum.

Migraine medications can be divided into two broad categories of migraine treatment. They are:

· Acute – Taken after the onset of a migraine

· Preventive – Taken every day to ward off migraines

· Various nontraditional and emerging therapies may be helpful in some cases, too



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Diagnosing Low Back Pain

July 18th, 2010 by Tramadol

The diagnosis of lumbar back pain is difficult and uncertain due to the various conditions which can present with this problem. Effective back pain management depends on identifying what kind of back pain problem is present, and many people have suggested that there are many back pain subtypes which need to be identified before treatment can be well targeted. The variations in diagnoses for low back pain and related symptoms include: postural pain; trigger point pains; nerve root compression; neuropathic pain; facet joint pain; disc related pain and lumbar stenosis.

The spinal facet joints, intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments are all potential sources of mechanical back pain, a pain derived from the damaged or injured tissues and transmitted by the nervous system. When the nervous system is damaged or injured it can start generating pain itself, leading to the production of what is termed neuropathic pain. Typical diagnoses of this kind of pain are post-shingles pain, phantom pain, nerve root damage pain and diabetic neuropathy pain. Patients suffer badly with this kind of unpleasant pain and it is difficult to treat.

A recent study performed by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK, has investigated this difficulty. They recognised that the assessment by taking a score of pain intensity does not reflect the reality of the complex nature of pain processes by which pain is generated. They set out to design an assessment which would take these complexities into account, allowing the clearer identification of the diagnosis and thereby a potentially more accurate treatment. They developed a standardised tool to use in the assessment of chronic pain with the aim of delineating differing pain subtypes.

130 people with peripheral neuropathic pain and 57 people with mechanical low back pain were surveyed and given a standardised assessment. An interview with 16 questions was then applied followed by a specific series of twenty-three physical tests. A list of words applicable to pain descriptions was provided and patients were asked to indicate which ones most accurately described their pain. In chronic pain patients often have an alteration in the ability to feel touch, vibratory and pin prick stimuli so the ability to discriminate these sensibilities is tested.

In neuropathic pain patients it was possible to identify six sub-groups and in non neuropathic patients two further subgroups were noted. Researchers were also able to distinguish the 6 questions and 10 physical tests which were best suited to making the most accurate discrimination between the pain subtypes. Testing this tool on one hundred and thirty seven further patients allowed the researchers to see it worked effectively and that patient acceptability was good. A particular group of neuropathic pain subtypes could be elucidated by a relatively low number of signs and symptoms which were not related to the presenting causative conditions.

The recording of the symptoms was less sensitive in distinguishing the neuropathic nature of the pains than the physical examination. The pain quality was less important than often noted and the pinprick testing more helpful. The researchers tried to link the pain subtypes with specific underlying biological mechanisms, with spontaneous pain of a burning nature linked to spontaneous discharges in heat sensitive pain nerves and pain from brushing related to increased sensitivity of cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

The physical examination was more sensitive in delineating neuropathic diagnoses of pains than the recording of the types and nature of symptoms.  The qualities of the pain were less helpful and the testing of pinprick more helpful. The researchers attempted to connect the underlying neural mechanisms with the pain subtypes. The heat sensitive pain nerves were linked to burning pains of a spontaneous type and heightened sensitivity of the spinal cord dorsal horn cells was linked to increased pain from brushing over the skin.



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About Migraines – Dispelling The Myths

July 18th, 2010 by Tramadol

Although experienced by more than 29.5 million Americans, most people still do not understand what migraines are all about. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), some of the most commonly-held myths about this debilitating disorder include:

Myth: Migraines are just bad headaches.

Fact: Migraines are a debilitating illness that affects 13% of the population. More than just a “bad headache,” migraine sufferers also experience a multitude of residual effects from that may include: severe nausea; pain and weakness in the head, face, neck, and shoulders; and sensitivity to light and sound, and even mood swings and depression. Attacks may last for hours, or days, and prevent the sufferer from going to work, attending classes, or basically completing normal daily tasks at home, work or school.

Myth: Caffeine cannot help relieve a migraine.

Fact: The effects of caffeine on migraines have been studied extensively, and the results are surprising: while caffeine is a trigger for some sufferers, it does seem to help alleviate symptoms in others. The best way to determine what caffeine will have on a specific sufferer, it is recommended that they keep a detailed food diary to determine its effect, either positive or negative.

Myth: Migraines are not triggered by stress,

Fact: Stress has been proven to trigger migraines in a vast majority of sufferers. Stress can be physical or emotional, and both can trigger migraines. It is believed that migraine sufferers have highly sensitized brains, which, during stressful periods, release certain chemicals that provoke the vascular change in the brain that causes the pain and other symptoms associated with migraines. Stress factors may include anxiety, worry, physical exertion, depression, excitement and mental fatigue.

Myth: Exercise Doesn’t Do Anything To Help Prevent Migraines

Fact: Many chronic migraine sufferers report that undergoing a regular exercise routine seems to help alleviate (or at least lesson) symptoms, while others noticed an increase in attacks when participating in sports or other physical exertion. If exercise or physical strain induce a headache, it is important to check with your healthcare provider to determine what other activities you can enjoy in order to remain fit and healthy.

Myth: Dietary Supplements Don’t Help in Treating Migraines

Fact: There are several vitamins that have been proven to help prevent and treat migraine headaches. They include:

Magnesium – which helps relax blood vessels, and decrease the severity and occurrence of migraines.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – Assists nerve cells in producing higher levels of ATP, which has been linked to reversing a cells “energy crisis” during an attack.

Myth: Sleep does not affect migraines

Fact: A lack of sleep has been proven to cause the onset of migraine symptoms. The best remedy: go to sleep at the same time every night, also waking at the same time every day, in order to maintain a natural circadian rhythm in the body.

Myth: Migraine headaches are not hereditary

Fact: Unfortunately, the odds are if someone in your family suffers with a migraine disorder, so will you. The child of a migraine sufferer has a 50% chance of having them, and if both parents suffer with migraines, their children have a 75% chance of the same. Even distant relatives who experience migraines may increase a person’s chance of being affected. Almost 20 percent of all sufferers report an aunt, uncle, cousin , or other relative who also experience migraine symptoms on a regular basis.

Suffering from migraine headaches can be difficult to deal with, but learning more about what causes them, and ways to both prevent and treat them can aid a patient in dealing with their physical and emotional effects.



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Effective Medications for Chronic Pain Relief

July 10th, 2010 by Tramadol

Chronic pain can prove to be bad experience for those who are enduring it. However, one doesn’t require to live with this condition any more. Fortunately, there are medicines for beating chronic pain.

These medicines may have certain side effects. However, if you get in touch with an experienced health care practitioner, you can get the best possible medicines that would suit your medical or health condition.

Listen to your doctor pharmacist carefully prior to deciding on a particular medication. This will help you in staying away from any serious side effects that result from taking these medicines

Here are certain effective medicines usually prescribed for treating chronic pain:

a) Acetaminophen

The medicine treats chronic pain. The brand name for this medication is Tylenol. You should remember that most over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines contain good amount of acetaminophen in them.

Hence, you need to be extra careful when taking pain relief medicines for chronic pain. Overdose of acetaminophen can result in liver damage. In case, you are taking more than 2 acetaminophen pills a day, you need to tell your doctor.

b) Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

These drugs are said to be really effective in treating chronic pain. These medicines can be taken as soon as you feel the need to. When taken regularly these medicines tend to build up into blood and then combat the pain caused due to inflammation or swelling.

Certain medicines are also available in low-dose and can be taken without any prescription. If your doctor prescribes you to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, make sure that you take these with milk or food. This will curb the side effects related to stomach.

Taking other pain relief medicines in conjunction with NSAIDs is an absolute no-no. In case, you want to take a different pain killer, you should consult your doctor.

c) Narcotics

These relieve chronic pain. However, these can be addictive. Hence, you must consult your family doctor prior to taking them. Narcotics are the best option for people who are suffering from severe chronic pain.

These drugs need to be an integral part of their treatment. Make sure that you tell your doctor about any kind of inconvenience you experience when taking this medicine. These doctors also cause constipation or difficulty in having bowel movements.

In case, you are on narcotics you must drink at least six to eight glasses of water on a daily basis. Also eat 3 to 5 serving of vegetables and 2 to 4 serving of fresh fruits on a daily basis. Inform your doctor about constipation. He or she may provide you with some laxatives to treat it.

d) Anti-depressants

e) Tricyclic anti-depressants or Duluxetine can be used to treat chronic pain.

f) Capsaicin

It is a naturally occupy substance found in chilli pepper. It is used to make certain topical analgesic creams. This drug changes the pain signals in the skin. It blocks pain without blocking other sensation. This medicine will also cause a burning sensation when first applied. You need to wear gloves when applying this medicine.



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This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.