Archive for February, 2010
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
If one was to ask a selection of females to reflect back to before they started their periods and comment on their expectations on beginning the menstruation cycle, one would be very surprised as to the range of answers they would receive. ‘Red letter day’ or ‘P day’ is approached by young girls in a variety of ways. There are those who are fully prepared and excited to enter ‘womanhood’, others totally ignorant about this day and the future changes of her body and some are nervous about how what she does know is going to pan out. When the day comes, it is greeted with a host of emotions. Most are prepared in what they are going to observe and do, however, some girls are surprised to feel some stomach cramps prior and during their period. This is very natural, predominantly mild and not debilitating yet can be uncomfortable for some. In most cases these menstrual cramps are known as ‘primary dysmenorrhea’. They are predominantly caused by excessive prostaglandin produced in the uterus. Prostaglandin is a natural substance created in the inner lining of the uterus in order to facilitate contractions of the uterine muscles required to help shed the lining built up during the menstrual cycle. When too much prostaglandin is produced there are more intense cramps. Heavy flow can also contribute to the pain especially with women who have not given birth. Heavy flow and clots have to squeeze through the small opening of the cervix, stretching it causing pain. After birth this area has widened giving reason as to why some women’s cramps subside.
As with all pain, pain relief is top of the agenda. Many women begin using Ibuprofen, Naproxen or some other kind of pain reliever which work by stopping the body from making prostaglandins and prevent blood clotting. However, it is often recommended to take them before you get the cramps to short-circuit the pain process thus one needs to have a very regular menstrual cycle in order to avoid taking them for days before ‘just in case’. In reference to this, it is well known that these types of pain relievers, being NSAIDs, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often irritate womens’ stomachs with frequent usage causing gastrointestinal complications so you definitely don’t want to be taking them as a preventative. Some women choose to take the birth control pill instead as this can lessen the menstrual flow and cramps. However, again, due to possible side effects of the Pill, a female is required to weigh up the pros and cons.
In general, all medications can have short and long term unwanted side effects which are in no way uncommon. Self-treatments have proven to be very successful with no undesirable side effects, in fact only positive effects. Exercise being one, although those experiencing a lot of pain can’t always get themselves up, hot baths and TENS machine. TENS machine (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a non-invasive, self-controlled, drug-free method of pain relief. It is ideal for the treatment of painful menstruation. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain. The battery operated hand-held device is switched on and sends soothing pulses via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres. These pulses suppress the pain signals from entering the brain thus no pain is registered. The TENS machine pulses also encourage the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins. A great benefit of TENS machine is that it is small and discreet and can therefore be worn during daily activity or rest. It is also a one time affordable buy and can be used for pain relief for so many other areas of the body.
Share with us your painful menstrual experiences along with any pain relief you have used especially TENS machine.
Tags: menstruation cycle, pain relief, periods, primary dysmenorrhea, prostaglandin, TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Posted in Menstrual Pain | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Anyone with Rheumatoid arthritis will agree how painful it can be. For those whose hands and fingers are affected, the smallest things like opening a jar can be painful. Those who have it in their hips or knees can find going on a short walk to the local newsagent very challenging. It can be debilitating and therefore depressing. I’m sure any sufferers who are reading this are nodding their heads in appreciation of these difficulties.
It is the inflamed joints, due to the activity between the inflamed protective fluid sac around the joints and its destructive effect on the collagen in the joint’s cartilage, which become painful and need pain relief.
Massage has proven to reduce pain. It’s even something we do instinctively to ourselves when we have a headache or a leg cramp; we rub our foreheads with our fingers or emphatically squeeze our legs. Our bodies have been designed to respond to massage. What we are doing when we rub, is stimulating our touch receptors in the skin. These are connected to sensory nerve fibres which are attached to the central nervous system in a way that they inhibit the pain signals. Pain is coming in one way but being counteracted by the effects of the massage.
TENS machines is a very efficient and effective way of stimulating these touch receptors. Pads are placed on the area of pain, the battery powered unit is switched on and soothing pulses begin to penetrate through the skin stimulating these nerve fibres and counteracting pain signals. As well as counteracting, it encourages the body to produce its own natural pain killing chemicals called endorphins and encephalitis which are also produced when we exercise, giving us that ‘feel good’ feeling.
It’s a very cheap method of pain relief and doesn’t involve any drug taking which can have negative effects on parts of the body that were once fine. On the contrary, it can feel somewhat like a massage and even better, you can continue with daily activities at the same time. Plus, you’re always in control of the unit and being in control of your pain relief can be beneficial in itself.
We would love you to share with us your pain relief experiences and any you have had using TENS machines.
Tags: Endorphins, pain relief, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Posted in Rheumatoid Arthritis | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Upper back pain often occurs as a result of trauma, sudden injury or constant strain from poor posture or carrying heavy loads. Do any of these scenarios echo with you?
The car grinds to an alarming halt, everyone jerks forward, thankfully saved by their protective seat belts. The passengers scramble out of the vehicle to check that they are actually all in one piece. They are, however, you’re struggling to move your neck without extraordinary electric twinges shooting down your upper back. You have whiplash.
Tap, tap, tap, tap go the keys of your work computer…all day…9-5pm, meaning that apart from that brief lunch break where you occasionally pop out for lunch, instead of effortlessly remaining at your computer and checking out facebook or youtube, you are hunched over that screen enhancing that ache that seems to be getting worse in your upper back and neck. You have upper back and neck strain.
You find yourself again in that dark room carrying your baby, walking her up and down singing the same old lullabies hoping she’ll fall asleep quickly. ‘Sleep training is definitely on the cards’ you’re thinking. She is 8 months now and not the same light weight she once was at 2 months. You place her in the cot and she cries. You pick her up again and pang! something goes in your back. You move and a shot of pain goes through your right shoulder blade. Ouch! What was that? You have a sudden upper back injury.
If any of these scenarios resonate with an experience you have had or something similar then you will know the discomfort. There are a few methods to relieve the pain including drugs and osteopathy. However, TENS machines is an effective pain killing alternative. TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain, the user switches on the battery powered small unit and soothing pulses are sent through the skin and along the nerve fibers. The pulses counteract the back pain signals preventing them going to the brain. TENS machines also encourages the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalitis. The pain relief can last hours; the longer and more often you use it the longer the pain stays at bay. A big plus is that you can continue daily activities whilst receiving the treatment and apart from occasional pad replacement it’s a one-time cost.
Share with us your upper back pain relief experiences and any good results from using TENS machines.
Tags: back injury, encephalitis, Endorphins, TENS, tens electrode, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, whiplash
Posted in Upper Back Pain | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
It can be alarming and disconcerting to wake up one day and see in the mirror that your face is drooping on one side. You have no idea what’s going on so you schedule a doctor’s appointment for that morning. Meanwhile you find that when you go to drink your tea it dribbles down your face and there’s this pain that’s evolved behind your ear.
The doctor informs you that you have Bell’s Palsy and like many sufferers of this condition, you have no idea how it arose but that your cranial nerve VII has become damaged somehow and it’s likely that the Bell’s Palsy will disappear in a couple of weeks.
The effects of Bell’s Palsy can be devastating, especially socially. We don’t realize how much we take for granted the impact of our working face; our smile, ability to raise our eyebrows, to close our eyes and to chew. Our facial expressions are so much a part of our personality and way we communicate with the world. It’s not to mention very embarrassing having your eye taped down in order for it to not dry out, dribbling constantly and food trailing out of the corner of your mouth; you end up avoiding going out at all costs which can become very depressing and lonely.
Aside from the effects on one’s social life it can often be uncomfortable and painful with facial stiffness, pain behind or in front of the ear and headaches.
One doesn’t have to be stuck with the pain however, and can make good progress in re-activating the affected nerve to gain more control over the face. EMS machines (electrical muscle stimulation) has found to be an excellent way to treat the effects of Bell’s Palsy. Small electrode pads are attached to areas of the face that need work, the unit is then switched on and tiny electrical impulses contract and relax the muscles; basically a facial work out. One can rest, watch TV, read etc during a treatment. With regular use the nerve and muscles around it can be reactivated quicker. Coupling the EMS machine treatment with a TENS machine treatment can increase effectiveness as the TENS machine relieves pain quite considerably speeding up recovery. TENS machines send soothing pulses via electrode pads along the nerve fibres. The pulses stop pain signals going to the brain AND encourage the body to produce its own natural pain killing chemicals; endorphins and encephalins. These are natural, non-invasive and very effective, one time buy, affordable methods of pain relief and muscle toning for Bell’s Palsy.
Please share your experiences of Bell’s Palsy and any pain relief methods, especially EMS and TENS machine, that have worked for you.
Tags: Bell's Palsy, electrical muscle stimulation, electrode pads, EMS, muscle toning, pain relief
Posted in Bell's Palsy | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
To people living with a life-threatening disease such as cancer, life becomes precious. Therefore it becomes disheartening and actually erosive to quality of life, when pain becomes a part of each valuable day.
Cancer pain can result from the pressure of a tumor on bone, muscle or nerves or as result from radiation or chemotherapy. Treatments such as these can also irritate healthy tissue, causing pain, inflammation and sensitive nerves.
Cancer pain can weaken your ability to fight the cancer. If the pain has you in its clutch, you can lose your appetite and experience poor sleep, resulting in lack of nourishment and thus energy, leading to exhaustion and feelings of sadness. As this downward spiral continues, the person becomes weak and vulnerable to infection and unable to withstand cancer treatments.
It’s a misconception that cancer patients have to suffer such pain. As with any other pain, relief can be provided, establishing feelings of wellbeing and therefore increasing chances of recovery.
Cancer pain can be alleviated by strong pain killers or alternative, natural, drug-free methods such as TENS machines. TENS is a non-invasive, painless, effective method of pain relief. Pads are placed on or close to the area of pain. Once the unit is switched on, soothing pulses are sent via the pads through the skin and along nerve fibres, through the central nervous system to the brain. These pulse signals halt the pain signals from entering the brain. TENS machines also encourages the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins.
You can use the unit as often as you wish and continue daily activities whilst receiving a treatment. It’s affordable and a one-time buy unlike the huge expense that can mount from constant medication.
Share with us your experiences especially with pain relief and any you have had with TENS machine.
Tags: cancer, electrode pads, encephalitis, Endorphins, pain relief, TENS
Posted in Cancer Pain | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
What does Fibromyalgia feel like? Or should I really be asking, what doesn’t it feel like? Fibromyalgia sufferers seem to suffer from pain in just about every place imaginable as well as suffering from a whole range of side-effects resulting from all-over body pain.
Does this sound similar to your life?…
And there I find myself once more, lying in bed again, missing yet another morning of work (contemplating when they’ll fire me due to so many days off sick) due to those “flu-like”, “coming down with something” type symptoms that I’m becoming all too familiar with. I know dragging myself to work however, is almost futile as my concentration is almost non-existent due to feeling so achey, tired and generally very “blah”! My limbs just don’t want to do anything; every time I move them an inch they ache…it really is just like pre-flu which is almost worse than the actual thing.
Yet what’s funny (well, it’s not that funny), is nothing is inflamed or specifically damaged. Another ‘not very funny’ thing is that I actually look perfectly healthy and when the doctor sends me for blood tests…surprise…all come back negative. He just puts it down to stress and encourages exercise to boost my energy levels. Another doctor says the same; another prescribes anti-depressants making me feel more tired. What’s strange is that this comes and goes very randomly without pattern or warning. The following day can be as if the previous never happened…or worse.
The cause of this elusive disease is unknown. The main symptom is severe muscle pain, stiffness and tenderness however, the painful tissues involved are not accompanied by tissue inflammation. Therefore, despite disabling body pain, patients do not develop body damage or deformity. Fibromyalgia also does not cause damage to internal body organs. In addition to the pain, a patient can feel fatigue, headaches, insomnia, swollen lymph nodes, irritable bowel syndrome and depression; often resulting from experiencing so much pain so regularly.
So what is going on with this phenomenon? As mentioned, the cause is unknown, however there have been some fascinating findings.
Researchers have discovered that those affected, experience pain in response to stimuli that are not normally perceived as painful. Elevated levels of a nerve chemical, called substance P, and nerve growth have been found in the spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients. Levels of the brain chemical serotonin are also relatively low in patients with fibromyalgia. Studies of pain in these patients have suggested that the central nervous system may be somehow supersensitive. Scientists note that there seems to be a general disturbance of pain perception in patients with fibromyalgia.
Also, patients with fibromyalgia have an impaired non-Rapid-Eye-Movement (non-REM) sleep phase, which likely explains the common feature of waking up fatigued and unrefreshed in these patients as it’s the non-REM state which is the deeper, refreshing sleep.
In addition to pain relieving drugs, there are a number of suggested treatments for fibromyalgia. Low intensity exercise is seen as very useful. Stress reduction techniques and acupuncture have also been known to help as have vitamins and dietary supplements. An excellent drug free alternative is TENS. TENS is a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain. The unit is switched on, soothing pulses are sent via the pads through the skin, along the nerve fibres and to the brain. These pulses stop the pain signals going to the brain. TENS machine also encourages the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins. The treatment can be taken during rest or daily activities. It’s a one time buy and the more you use it the better the pain relief.
Share your Fibromyalgia experiences and any you have had with pain relief especially TENS machine.
Tags: Encephalins, Endorphins, Fibromyalgia, non-Rapid-Eye-Movement (non-REM), TENS
Posted in Fibromyalgia | No Comments »
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