What I Do to Manage Pain

Posted by Mimi: 2009-01-06 21:48:02

I'm stricken with osteoarthritis. And to deal with my pain, I make sure that I have a health routine that I never fail to accomplish daily. I hike or I do yoga and I end it with meditating for 15 minutes. I also take regular massage sessions. I pace myself. I don't overdo any activity. I ask for help when I truly need it and don't be embarrassed asking for assistance. I try not to be self-conscious. I don't stray from my diet. Most of all, I set my priorities. I have to take care of myself and I have a strong resolve to stay with the plan. If I don't, I could be missing major aspects of my ... more

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Don't Ignore Your Pain

Posted by Mimi: 2009-01-06 21:27:06

Pain serves a purpose. How else would we know if there's something wrong if you feel perfectly well. It's the body's way of getting your attention. There are pains you simply can't ignore. If in doubt, seek a doctor's opinion.

For example, a headache can be a symptom of a brain tumor (worst case) or lack of sleep/too much light/a flu symptom. If you feel like the pain is shrouding everything else, then go to the ER. Chest pain doesn't have to be sharp and intense for it to be serious. Chest discomfort could be heartburn or gastrointestinal distress; at the worst, it could be a heart ... more

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Challenging Pain Management

Posted by Mimi: 2009-01-06 21:07:56

Pain is devastating when there seems to be no treatment that satisfactorily manages it. After a thorough assessment, it is a possibility that the doctor may tell you that there is a hurdle in managing your pain when you're a patient with a history of addiction.

It's far more complex to treat these patients who have abused illegal substances. They have multiple needs and their treatment is labor intensive. Definitely, the treatment options should be discussed with the other medical practitioners who are working on the case. The psychiatric aspect should be considered as well. The keyword ... more

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How to Tell If It's a Heart Attack

Posted by Mimi: 2008-10-03 01:58:36

Typically, a heart attack causes chest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes....or an attack can produce no signs and symptoms. A lot of times, warning symptoms occur hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be recurrent chest pain that's triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.

Someone having an attack may experience one or all of the following:
1. Squeezing pain or heavy pressure in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes

2. Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms

3. Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or ... more

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Abdominal Pain -- How to Know When It's Serious

Posted by Mimi: 2008-10-03 01:41:34

Severe pain in the abdomen isn't always serious. In the same way that mild pain doesn't mean that it's not serious. There are many important organs in the abdomen and the pain may start from any of them and could radiate elsewhere. If pain lasts more than a week, have yourself examined by the doctor.

Get medical help immediately if you have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp, or if there's pain in your chest, shoulder, or neck also. If you're vomiting blood or have blood in the stool and if your abdomen is hard and tender to touch. Another sign to watch out for is when you can't ... more

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Sciatica During Pregnancy

Posted by Mimi: 2008-09-07 21:25:56

Sciatica is the term used for pain being felt along the sciatic nerve. This pain is usually described as a sharp electric shocking type pain that starts in the buttocks and travels down the back of the thigh and leg. Some signs and symptoms of sciatica are a cramping sensation of the thigh, shooting pains from the buttock, down the leg, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations in the legs and thighs, and a burning sensation in the thigh.

Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated disk. In my case, I experienced it during my first pregnancy. My obstetrician explained that there was ... more

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