But you are undecided as to whether to go out for a jog or soothe your muscles and bones by taking complete rest? How about taking opioid, the well-known pain killers available at the chemist’s shop? And what about the innumerable advertisements proclaiming ‘instant cures’ that you come across in newspaper and television? Sometimes, the pain becomes so excruciating that the person suffering from it would try anything to get rid of it. At times, this can force people to try something which can even be harmful.

Always consult your doctor for chronic pain

It is imperative to know what treatment options you have to get to rid of or at least to manage your chronic pain that has bogged you down for so long. Some renowned experts in the field of pain management shed light on the common myths and facts about chronic pain.

Fact and myths about chronic pain

Myth – Treating the underlying cause is necessary to cure chronic pain
Many people associate a chronic pain with some sort of underlying cause and believe that instead of just trying to address the pain, it is important to treat the cause behind it for permanent cure. But it is easier said than done. Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School says that only a thorough check-up of the condition will reveal if there indeed is a relationship between the pain and any associated disease which needs attention.

Sometimes, there may not be any real or treatable conditions that can be correlated to chronic pain. Some other times, the patient may still have the pain even after undergoing treatments for the underlying cause. Like Steven P. Cohen, MD, director of pain research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C points out, “ In case of some patients, no clear-cut disease or condition could be found that can be responsible for the pain even after conducting a whole range of tests.” So, treatment of the pain as well as the underlying cause if any is the best approach. This of course can only be done by taking the help of medical experts.

Fact: Any pain however mild it may be needs medical attention
Many people often continue to live with the pain throughout their life. Since they are able to bear the pain and can go through their daily activities unhindered, they believe that it doesn’t warrant medical consultation.

But diagnosis and its treatment of any mild pain is important for it can either be the result of an underlying disease or at times, can lead to an serious chronic pain. Chronic pain develops gradually but you end up with some serious problem if left untreated. What is more, you might get used to coping with it by using the over the counter medicines and pain killers, which can be harmful and dangerous the long run. In some cases, it can also result in sleeping disorder and depression.

Myth: Taking bed rest is the most effective cure
It was earlier believed that having bed rest is the most proper way to treat chronic pains like back pains. Experts do not advise it any more. Cohen says that bed rest is not that helpful for most chronic pains including back pain. On the contrary, it may sometimes accentuate the pain and can also make it worse. Going through the normal routine of physical activities is better way to get relief.
Having said that it is true that taking proper rest is necessary in case of an injury. Hence, going by the medical advice is the best approach.

Myth: The pain is bound to increase progressively with age
Some people are under the impression that the pain they suffer from would definitely worsen with passing age. According to Cohen, even some doctors have this pre-conceived notion and take it for granted. And when an old man approaches them with chronic pain, they do not try to make a detailed diagnosis of it.
While it is true that the pain we feel or the conditions like arthritis worsen with age, they still can be treated.

Fact: Chronic pain and depression are related
Chronic pain has also got a psychological root. It can be the manifestation of anxiety and depression. According to Cohen, there exists a definite relationship between depression and pain but it is difficult to establish in what way or to what extent it is responsible for it. Not surprisingly, some people do not buy this idea.

A relationship between emotional turmoil or the disturbed state of mind and chronic pain is also substantiated through brain imaging studies. It shows that the same parts of the brain is activated both by physical as well as psychological trauma.

That apart, it has been found that certain anti-depressant medicines can alleviate chronic pain. So, at times, doctors also prescribe an anti-depression drug for chronic pain even if you may not be suffering from any psychological disorder.

Myth: Drug addiction can result if you take opioid pain killers
Many people are apprehensive that taking opioid for a long period would make them dependent on it. This fear of becoming addicted to it forbids them to take medication even if they may be suffering from severe chronic pain. So, Cohen suggests using opioid for short-term use after taking the advice of the doctor. In such cases, the chances of addiction will be less.
Oaklander agrees with Cohen and says that some people have to be cautious while taking opioids. This is so especially for people who have a family history of addiction. But such people can surely use the drug after consulting a pain specialist.

Myth: Opioid will relieve you of chronic pain for good
Using opioids is undoubtedly a good and effective treatment for chronic pain. But the truth is it is not the sure and definite way of curing chronic pain. The drug is also fraught with side effects. People often make the mistake of taking the prescription of the doctor or the use of opioid as a ticket of ‘freedom from chronic pain’.

As Cohen points out, “The drug is not effective for all types of pain and also known to have the risks of side effects.” Its prolonged use makes the body dependent upon it and as the body gets acclimatised to it, higher doses are required to get relief. So, constant monitoring of the pain and treatment is necessary to avoid it.
Some evidence also suggests that opioids can make other treatment options ineffective. At times, when you use it to get relief from a pain, it can increase the pain or make it chronic. For instance, if a person suffers from mild headache will develop severe head-ache after taking high dose of opioids.

Hence, the effectiveness of opioids in curing chronic pain depends upon its cause, intensity and nature. But they are still not the only or complete treatment option. Like other treatments of chronic pain i.e. acupuncture or anti-inflammatory drugs, it is one of the way of treatment.

Fact: An all-encompassing, complete treatment of chronic pain is rare
Sometimes people are under the false notion that a sure and effective cure for their chronic pain can be indeed be found. Advertisements in the newspapers or an info-commercial aired in the television propagating such tall claims could be behind this. But such advertisements only bank on the ‘hope or desperation’ of the people. There is no such single and straight way to cure the chronic pain. Coping with chronic pain instead requires adopting a whole lot of treatments like drugs, physiotherapy, counseling etc. It will take time and you can only control chronic pain after going through the different techniques.

Fact: Chronic pain is too stubborn
It may sound discouraging but you may not be cured even after going through a whole gamut of treatments by good doctors. Cohen says that it is unrealistic to expect a cure from a chronic pain that has been bothering you for two decades with a short span of time. Coping with chronic pain is a long drawn process and needs grit and perseverance in ample measure to be cured of it for good.
But do not be despondent about it. Although you may not be able to get rid of the pain completely, still with proper treatment you will surely be able to manage it. The pain will lessen considerable which will allow to you to go through the range of physical activities like bending, stretching, running or squatting. So, managing the chronic pain will usher in a qualitative change in your lifestyle.

The number of fatalities due to fire-related accidents was more than deaths from other calamities in the year 2008 and it can be greatly reduced if people learn how to treat burn. Some simple precautionary measures are discussed in this article.

Most of the fire-related mishaps originate in the kitchen. To avoid fire-injuries in the kitchen, you can follow these simple tips:

• Make sure to be inside the kitchen during cooking.
• The handle of the pot should always be towards the center or back of the cooking stove. Thus, the children won’t be able to tip it over easily.
• Do not keep inflammable items like plastic bags or washing towels near the stove.
• Do not carry a child or pet during cooking.
• Do not allow small children or pets to be in front of the stove.

First Aid tips for fire injuries in the kitchen:
If you sustain burn injuries, the following things would help you heal it quicker:

• Keep the burnt part under the tap or wrap it with a towel soaked in cold water
• Wrap a sterile bandage or a clean cloth around the affected part
• Take care not to expose the affected part to any sort of pressure or friction
• Take pain-relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain
• Avoid the use of household remedies like oil, ice, cotton bandages
• Consult the doctor immediately if you suspect the burn may lead to infection

How to avoid scalding burn
Burn developed due to the contact of scalding liquid is by far the most common burn that people sustain in their homes. This is more so in case of children. The skin of the children is thinner compared the adults. You should follow these simple precautions to prevent it from happening:

• Heat the water up to 120 degrees.
• Check the intensity of the heat by dipping your hand into the water before bathing the child.
• Do not leave the child alone in the bathtub.
• Do not use the microwave to heat your baby bottles as uneven heating may lead to burning of the baby’s mouth.
• Keep the cups and mugs covered with their lids.
• Do not place containers with the hot liquids like tea, coffee or soup in the edge of the tables.

How to treat burn in your home

The following first-aid tip would help you on how to treat burn at home:

• Take out the hot, wet clothing from the affected part.
• Allow it to cool in the flowing, tap water for half an hour.
• Avoid ice-pack as it would hinder the flow of blood.
• Do not use butter or salves to the affected skin.

Avoiding sun burn
Many people in the US are affected by skin cancer and sun burn accentuates its risk. You can avoid sun burn in the following ways –

• Sun screen – The sun screen should at least have SPF of 15 and should be effective for both UVA and UVB lights. Use it in every couple of hours when you are under the sun.
• Hat – The hat should preferably be of fabric; woven tightly with minimum gaps
• Clothing – Tight, dark clothing is most suitable for the prevention of skin cancer
• Sun glasses – Sun glasses designed for UVA and UVB protection should be wore. Its use also reduces the chances of development of cataract
• You should also take protection outdoors, even when you are under a shade

How to treat burn from the sun

Sun burn is also associated with severe pain. The following tips help to alleviate the pain.

• Use pain relievers like ibuprofen.
• Apply moisturizing or hydrocortisone cream to the affected parts thrice a day to reduce the pain, swelling and itching.
• When the blisters rupture, wipe it with a clean cloth. Cut off the dead skin with a scissor and apply antibiotic ointment to it. Do not try to prick or rupture the blister.
• Take bath in cold water. You can add two ounce of baking soda to a tub of bath-water. Apply cold, wet towels to the affected part of the skin several times in a day.
• Never apply butter, oil or vaseline to the sun burn.

Dealing with house-fire
The fire-related deaths per capita are reportedly highest in the United States amongst the industrialized countries. The following are some of the ways to deal with this dangerous situation.

• It is imperative that you install a fire-alarm in your home. Its warning gives you the time and opportunity to escape. As per estimates, almost 40% of fire deaths occur in homes where the fire-alarms are not installed. They are available in $6 to $ 20. Even the fire departments supply them free of cost or at a subsidized price.
• Always take care to make the smoke alarms functional. So, check it at least couple of times in a year.
• Keep fire extinguishers near the exit of your house, away from the reach of the children. They are exceptionally handy for extinguishing small fire. But if the fire is too large and is spreading to all parts of the house fast, then it is better to leave the premises immediately. The fire extinguisher should also have the label “ABC’, which attests its usefulness for all types of fire.
• Be ready with an escape plan – It does not take much time for the fire to spread. In fact, it can spread to double its size within half a minute, often not allowing time to plan an escape. So, make an escape plan beforehand. It should contain the following details –
• Chart an escape route after thoroughly studying the floor plan of the home with other members of your home. There should be couple of ways to escape from the rooms.
• Arrange mock fire drills in your home. This would make the members of the house prepared as and when the exigency arises. Everybody in the home should practice crawling as this saves you from the smoke and toxic gases during fire.
• Teach everyone the basic of first aid and how to treat burn with available resources.

So with proper planning and knowing how to treat burn, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from fire-accidents.

Anger can be the reason for many mental health problems. So, it is necessary to be enlightened about them and the associated dangers of suppressed anger along with the various ways to deal with it.

What is anger?

Anger is a normal and a natural reaction that comes from a feeling of disgust, dissatisfaction, irritation or hurt. Its intensity may vary from simple peeving to flaring rage.

Dangers of suppressed anger?

Anger, however normal or it may just seem to be, if suppressed can be the reason behind anxiety and depression over time. Any anger, when not vented properly, can wreak havoc in the mental as well as physical bearing of people.

Chronic anger is known to cause many health related problems like headaches, digestive disorder, skin problems, high blood pressure, depression and cardiac ailments. Moreover, it can also set in emotional disturbances that might result in violent behavior and crime.

How can you deal with your anger?

When you are overwhelmed with anger, try to rationalize the cause of your anger in a positive way. Take deep breaths slowly. Say to yourself words like ‘calm down’ or ‘take it easy’ in order to soothe your soul. Go on doing this till you are able to take control of your anger.

• It is a fact that venting your anger is better than suppressing it. Venting it properly is important; otherwise it may cause both emotional as well as social problems. Bouts of anger put pressure on the cardio-vascular system of the body, apart from creating stress and anxiety. It is important to channelize your anger in a positive way. Instead of being driven by rage, it is better to deal with things in an assertive manner.
• Talk to your family and friends about it. Proper counseling goes a long way in keeping your anger in check.
• Maintain a record of the situations and times that drives you to bursts of anger. This would give you an inkling of the impending bouts of anger.
• Try to rationalize the reasons of anger by putting yourself in other shoes.
• Look at the funny sides of life and develop a sense of humor.
• Be a good listener. It not only helps you to develop effective communications skills but also inculcates a good inter-personal relationship. This also helps to impose trust on others, thereby enabling you resolve issues of anger.
• Be assertive instead of being defensive or charged up with suppressed anger.
• Expressing yourself in a calm but sure way helps to deal with emotions. For this, you can learn the techniques of assertiveness from self-help books or even seek counseling from an expert.

Other ways to deal with your anger

In cases where it is not possible on your part to keep your anger under leash, then it is better to consult a psychologist or even a psychiatrist. At times, uncontrolled anger can become morbid. In such case, the psychiatrist would prescribe drugs to keep it under control.

But before that, other behavior change techniques should be tried. Hence, it is important to choose a mental health expert carefully. An able mental health will be able to thoroughly evaluate your behavior patterns and mental conditions and recommend methods of anger management.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2010

However, if you learn to recognize the symptoms of stress and how to deal with them, you will realize that you can live a healthier and happier life. Stress is not always bad for you because it will help you perform better and give you the motivation that you need.

In recognizing the symptoms of stress, you should realize that this is the body\’s normal reaction to what it perceives as dangerous situations. When you do have this response, you know that your body is working the way it should to keep you alert. In some cases, the body\’s response to stress can save your life in an emergency situation.

Since the body cannot tell the difference between a real and a perceived threat, it prepares the body for fight or flight in all situations where stress is involved. This causes a rise in your blood pressure and decreases the strength of your immune system. The symptoms of stress that you experience can be mental or physical depending on the situation.



Mental symptoms of stress include:

• memory problems
• inability to concentrate
• making poor decisions
• focusing on the negative rather than the positive
• having a constant feeling of worry
• being irritable or short-tempered
• moodiness
• inability to relax
• feeling lonely or depressed

Some of the physical symptoms of stress are:

• muscle aches and pains
• bowel problems
• stomach upset
• chest pain
• rapid heartbeat
• frequent colds
• loss of appetite
• sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep
• neglecting responsibilities
• resorting to alcohol or drug abuse
• nervous habits

It is quite common to experience some of these symptoms of stress on occasion, but when you have a large amount of stress in your life, this can lead to many different kinds of illness. You need to keep a check on how often you feel stressed and consider whether you may be suffering from an overload of stress.

There are signs and symptoms of stress overload of which you should also be aware. If you are quick to anger in common situations where anger is not warranted this could be a sign that you are really stressed out and that you should remove yourself from the situation. The opposite reaction could also be a symptom if you withdraw from a harmless situation for fear of it developing into something that you are unable to handle.

There are both internal and external causes of stress and once you recognize what these triggers are, you will be in a better position to cope with the symptoms of stress when they arise. Major life changes are one of the leading causes and they do take some time for you to adjust.

Work related stress is the leading cause of employee illness and sick days. Financial difficulties and problems in a relationship are also common causes of stress. When you feel that you are overwhelmed and can no longer deal with ordinary issues, you should consider asking for professional help.
In recognizing the symptoms of stress, you should realize that this is the body’s normal reaction to what it perceives as dangerous situations. When you do have this response, you know that your body is working the way it should to keep you alert.

This article is brought to you by our contributor.

But, unfortunately, not giving proper attention to those apparently innocuous pains may have serious consequences and sometimes, prove to be fatal. So, how do you know which of these pains may be ominous - a guiding symptom to something gravely wrong inside the body?

Our consultation with doctors in medicine, psychiatric, geriatrics and cardiology revealed that the following pains should be given immediate medical attention:

1.    An excruciating headache

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, MACP and spokeswoman for the American college of Physician said, “Although your cold and headache could be due to a sinus problem, it may also be due to a brain tumor or brain hemorrhage. So, get it investigated till you are sure of the reason.”

Sharon Brangman, MD, FACP, spokeswoman for the American Geriatric Society also agrees with this and says that when people complain of a severe headache they ever had in their lives, invariable it turns out to be a typical case of brain aneurysm. So, seek immediate emergency check-up.

2.    Pain and feeling of heaviness in the jaw, throat, shoulders, chest and abdomen

Discomfort and pain in the chest may sometimes be due to cardiac ailments. Jerome Cohen, MD, Cardiologist says that cardiac patients complain of a feeling of heaviness on the chest. They feel as if the chest is pressurized by some heavy weight.

People with heart problem also have discomfort and pain in the throat, jaws, left arm, shoulder, upper chest and abdomen. At times, there might also be nausea. Cohen says in this regard, “If the pain and discomfort is persistent and without any reason, then one should immediately call 911 or consult a physician and get emergency care, irrespective of the age of the patient. Many times, people wrongly take these symptoms to be cases of heartburn or GI distress. If the investigation proves that they are not associated with any cardiac ailment, then it is okay. But do take precaution.”

He also opines that the intermittent discomforts that occur during emotional disturbance, excitement and physical exertion should also be investigated. If you have it after going on a walk and such discomforts gets worse during hot and cold weathers, then it could be angina.

According to Cohen, who happens to be the director of preventive cardiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, more women succumb to it more than men, although women are at lower risks of heart disease than men at any age and their signs of discomforts are also less obvious. Often, a symptom like GI distress, bloating, discomforts in abdomen and exhaustion are misinterpreted and due medical attention is not given. There is also a greater risk of cardiac ailments after menopause among women. Hence, women as well physicians should take note of such symptoms.

3.   Pain between the shoulders and lower back

Even though such pains are mostly due to arthritis, cardiac attack or problems in the abdomen could also be the underlying reasons. The pain can be due to aortic dissection that manifests as a sudden or nagging pain. People with a history of hypertension, diabetes, smoking habit and cardiovascular problems, are at high risk.

4.   Excruciating pain in the abdomen

It can be due to appendicitis and should be immediately operated, lest it would rupture. Other serious problems associated with pain in the abdomen region, could be stomach ulcers, intestinal blockage and problem in gall bladder or pancreas and hence should be investigated thoroughly.

5.    Pain in the calf

Almost two million Americans suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may result in pain in the calf.

“People suffering from it develop blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, which may cause pulmonary embolism (a clot in the lungs). It can be life-threatening,” says Fryhofer. According to Brangman, who is professor and chief of geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., there can only be swelling without any pain and medical advice should be sought even in such condition.

Cancer, pregnancy, obesity, immobility are some of the associated conditions of deep vein thrombosis.

6.   Burning sensation in the feet or legs

Brangman says that the sensation burning or the pricking of needle in the feet or legs is the indicator of nerve damage and diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 25 percent of the 24 millions of Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed. So, people, who are yet to be diagnosed with diabetes, should be alert of such symptoms.

7.    Indeterminate, undefined and medically unexplained pain

“Persons suffering from depression complain of many vague and unexplained pains. They may be abdominal pain, headache or pains in different body parts,” explains Thomas Wise, MD, psychiatrist and chairman of the psychiatric department at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va.

“Since the pain is not very often severe, it is ignored by those people suffering from it and also by their family members and physicians. Moreover, the people suffering from depression are unable to express their feelings properly,” Wise adds.

There should also be other associated symptoms of depression in order to fully diagnose a case of depression.

“But people, who find it difficult getting along with others, lose interest in going through their daily chores or are unable to think and express in an articulate manner should seek medical advice immediately, as timely treatment can avert any structural damage to the brain,” Wise cautions.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2009