Archive for the ‘Pain’ Category

Stress Triggers Back Pain

November 16th, 2010 by Usahealthstore
Pierre Gabriel Duncan asked:




Stress and other emotional factors are believed to play a major role in low back pain, particularly chronic low back pain. Many people unconsciously tighten their back muscles when they are under stress, studies revealed.

Low back pain is used to describe a range of symptoms. Depending on the cause, low back pain may be dull, burning, or sharp. It may be felt at a single point or over a broad area.

It can come on gradually or suddenly and may occur with muscle spasms or stiffness.

Back pain can either be acute or chronic. Acute lasts for less than three months and most people gain relief after about 4 to 6 weeks of home treatment.

Chronic on the other hand lasts longer than three months.

Experts said stress causes tense muscles which are tight and feel “hard” to the touch.

People who are stressed often have neck, shoulder, and low back pain. This may be caused by constant tension in the muscle because of stress. Stress also affects rheumatoid arthritis.

Easy remedies

For chronic back pains, simple home remedies will ease the pain. Applying ice for 5 to 15 minutes every two or three hours will do a lot of help. Taking a hot shower or using a heating pad or hot water bottle can do wonders for some.

Others opt the fast and easy relief from pain medicines like Tramadol. Taking Tramadol on a regular schedule usually works best instead of waiting until the pain is severe. A number of online pharmacies including drugstoretm.com. carry Tramadol.

For the first day or two, rest in a comfortable position. Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees. Or lie on your back on the floor with a pillow under your knees.

Medical experts advise patients to get back to their normal activities as soon as possible. Movement helps your muscles stay strong. Staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days, they said, can actually make the problem worse.

Walking is the simplest and perhaps the best exercise for the lower back.

However, if symptoms are severe or pain does not stop even after two weeks of self care, it is best to consult a doctor. Stronger pain medicines and physical therapy may be necessary.

Strive to make your lives stress-free as stress is one of the main causes of back pains.

Tramadol
Tags: , ,
Posted in Pain | No Comments »

Sciatic Pain

November 13th, 2010 by Usahealthstore
Marcus Peterson asked:




Also known as Sciatica, it is a pain in the lower back that can radiate down to the buttocks and the legs, and occasionally to the feet as well. Also known as lumbago or lumbar radiculopathy, the pain occurs as a result of pressure on the sciatic nerve, which is formed from lumbar roots that emerge from the spinal column. It rises into the pelvis, and travels down the buttocks, the legs, and into the feet. Occurring on both sides of the body, these nerves are the largest in the body, with diameter as much as a finger, they branch out at several points along their path. Sciatica occurs when these nerves become irritated, most often because of a herniated vertebral disc that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve as it emerges from the spinal column.

Sciatica causes pain that may be constant or intermittent, and it may include numbness, tingling or even a burning sensation. Coughing, sneezing, bending over, or lifting heavy objects often increases the pain. In certain cases, weakening of muscles in the buttocks, legs, and/or feet may take place.

Sciatica is one of the most common forms of back pain in the world. It occurs in about 5% of people who visit their doctor with back pain problems, and in about 1?3% of the general adult population. It is commonly found in people who are between 30 and 50 years of age, as those are the ages most prone to herniating vertebral discs. After age 30, the tough exterior of the vertebral discs undergoes a natural thinning, making it easier for the gel-like inner core to rupture it. After the age of 50, the interior of the vertebral disc becomes slightly hardened, making it less likely to protrude out.

Another common cause of sciatica is lumbar spinal stenosis, or narrowing down of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the roots making up the sciatic nerve. Degenerative disc disease causes sciatica when the disc weakens enough to allow excessive movement of the vertebrae near the sciatic nerve. Additionally, the degenerated disc may leak proteins in the vicinity of the nerve. Although isthmic spondylolisthesis is relatively common in adults, it rarely causes sciatica. This occurs when a vertebra suffers from a stress fracture and slips, slightly impinging on the sciatic nerve as it exits the spine. Piriformis syndrome may cause sciatica when the sciatic muscle is irritated as it runs under the piriformis muscle in the buttocks.

In most cases, conservative treatments are effective enough for sciatica. A short period of rest, coupled with the application of cold packs and heat packs to the affected areas, can reduce the inflammation of the nerve. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can also be taken to decrease the inflammation. Injection of corticosteriods may sometimes be recommended to reduce the swelling of the nerve. Physical therapy and short walks are also helpful.

If after three or more months, sciatica continues and becomes progressively worse, surgical techniques can be used to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Surgery is often quite effective in relieving pain, although results may vary depending upon the cause of sciatica. On an average, about 90% of patients undergoing surgery for sciatica pain receive some relief.

Taking Tramadol
Tags: , ,
Posted in Pain | No Comments »

The Unique Pain Medication

October 23rd, 2010 by Usahealthstore
Yury Bayarski asked:




Tramadol has been used as an analgesic since the late 1970s, and became one of the most popular analgesics of its class in Germany. International interest for the drug has been renewed when it was discovered that tramadol not only acts like opioids, but also inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake.

Mechanism of action

Tramadol is a unique medication. Its mode of action and safety profile distinguishes it from other opioids. It is classified as an atypical centrally acting analgesic, and has opioid and non-opioid properties. Tramadol is a synthetic analogue of codeine that has weak opioid agonist properties. It also inhibits the neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin as do the antidepressant drugs

Tramadol has strong structural similarities to the antidepressant venlafaxine. Because of its similarities to venlafaxine, tramadol may possibly exert a degree of antidepressant effect in certain patients, particularly those with chronic pain.

Side effects

Tramadol is generally well tolerated, the most common side effects being nausea and vomiting. In contrast to agents such as morphine and pethidine, respiratory depression rarely occurs during tramadol treatment at equipotent doses. But large doses of tramadol may increase the respiratory effects of other drugs. It is also associated with a low incidence of cardiac depression and significantly less dizziness and drowsiness than morphine.

Finally, dependence and abuse potential is relatively low because it has only a weak opioid effect. The low abuse potential of tramadol has been demonstrated by postmarketing surveillance data.

Tramadol appears to carry the same risk of urinary disorders (difficulty in micturition, urinary retention) as other opiates.

The medication should be avoided in persons with epilepsy and used cautiously in those taking medications which lower the threshold for seizures.

Tramadol uses

It is effective in different types of moderate-to-severe pain, including neuropathic pain. This medication has a dose-dependent efficacy that lies between that of codeine and morphine, with a parenteral potency comparable to that of pethidine.

Comparative studies have demonstrated that tramadol is more effective than NSAIDs for controlling post operative pain. Moreover, as the mode of action of tramadol does not overlap with that of NSAIDs, it is a useful agent to be combined with these drugs. Use of a combination of tramadol and NSAIDs allows the tramadol dose to be reduced and results in a lower incidence of side effects.

Tramadol may be particularly useful for elderly population suffering from osteoarthritis because, unlike NSAIDs, it does not aggravate high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications, nor does it have the potential to cause peptic ulcer disease.

Tramadol has been used with good results for the management of labour pain without respiratory depression of the neonate. It is effective for the treatment of pain from myocardial ischaemia, renal colic and acute trauma.

Recommendations

Butalbital APAP Caffeine, Fioricet, Tramadol
Tags: , ,
Posted in Pain | No Comments »

Prostate Pain

October 16th, 2010 by Usahealthstore
Marcus Peterson asked:




Prostate pain is caused by the inflammation of the prostate gland, which is an exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to secrete and store a fluid that constitutes up to one-third of the volume of semen. This inflammation of the prostate is also known as prostatitis. If the prostate grows too large, it may constrict the urethra and impede the flow of urine, making urination extremely difficult and painful and in extreme cases, completely impossible. Prostatitis is usually treated with antibiotics, prostate massage or in extreme cases, surgery.

In older men, the prostate gland often enlarges to the point where urination becomes very difficult. This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and can be treated with medication or with surgery that removes a part of the prostate gland. The surgery technique most often used in such cases is called transurethral resection of the prostate. In this case, an instrument is inserted through the urethra to remove excess prostate tissue that is pressing against the upper part of the urethra and restricting the flow of urine.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting elderly men in developed countries and a major cause of death among them. Regular rectal exams are recommended for elderly men to detect prostate cancer in its early stages. There is also a blood test that measures the concentration of a protein, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which is normally very low.

Elevated and more sophisticated test results may be an indicator of disorder within the prostate either prostatitis or benign hyperplasia or prostate cancer. The PSA test cannot distinguish between them, but can certainly lead a doctor to investigate further. Prostate cancer is treated with hormone manipulation, which is the prevention of production of testosterone, with radiation and surgery. It has recently been found that a drug known as Docetaxel can be effective in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Pain Medications

Pain medications generally deal with painkillers, medically known as analgesics. They are a member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain. The word analgesic is derived from the Greek word ‘an’ which means ‘without’, and ‘algia’ which means ‘pain.’

Analgesic drugs act in different ways on the peripheral and central nervous system of the body. They include paracetamol (acetaminophen), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the salicylates, narcotic drugs such as morphine, synthetic drugs with narcotic properties such as tramadol, and various others. Some other classes of drugs, not otherwise considered analgesics, are also used to treat neuropathic pain syndromes, which include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Analgesics can be broadly categorised into three groups. The first one comprises of Paracetamol and NSAIDs. The exact mechanism for action of paracetamol is uncertain, but it apparently acts centrally. Aspirin and the NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase, leading to a decrease in prostaglandin production. This improves pain and also inflammation, in contrast to paracetamol and the opioids. Paracetamol has few side effects, but dosing is limited by possible hepatotoxicity (potential for liver damage). NSAIDs may predispose to peptic ulcers, renal failure, allergic reactions, and hearing loss, and may also increase the risk of hemorrhage.

The second group is of Opiates and morphinomimetics. Tramadol and buprenorphine are considered to be partial agonists of the opioid receptors. Morphine, the common opioid, and various other substances like pethidine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and diamorphine, all exert a similar influence on the cerebral opioid system. Dosing may be limited by toxicity caused by opoids leading to confusion, myoclonic jerks and pinpoint pupils, but there is no dose ceiling in patients who can tolerate this. Opioids, though very effective analgesics, may have some unpleasant side-effects. Up to 1 in 3 patients starting morphine, may experience nausea and vomiting, which is generally relieved by a short course of antiemetics. Pruritus or itching may require switching to a different opioid. Constipation occurs in almost all patients on opioids, and laxatives such as lactulose, macrogol-containing or co-danthramer are typically co-prescribed. When used appropriately, opioids and other similar narcotic analgesics are safe and effective, carrying relatively little risk of addiction. Occasionally, gradual reduction of the dose is required to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

The third category is of the specific agents consumed by patients suffering from chronic or neuropathic pain. Tricyclic antidepressants, especially amitriptyline, have been shown to improve pain in apparently a central manner. The exact mechanism of carbamazepine, gabapentin and pregabalin is unclear as well, but these anticonvulsants are used to treat neuropathic pain with modest success.

Butalbital Live
Tags: , ,
Posted in Pain | No Comments »

I Hurt All Over. How to Ease Away the Pain of Fibromyalgia!

October 9th, 2010 by Usahealthstore
Nathan Wei asked:




At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable activities like biking, golfing, going to the movies, out to dinner. Then one day, it’s gone. Replaced with constant pain and fatigue. Here’s the lowdown on fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common forms of arthritis seen in a rheumatology practice. It is actually a soft tissue form of rheumatism. Typically, a patient will complain of feeling achy all over, being chronically tired, and feeling like they’re walking around in a constant fog. Often a patient will complain of short term memory problems.

The American College of Rheumatology has set criteria by which fibromyalgia symptoms can be classified. These consist of a history of widespread pain for three or more months and pain in 11 of 18 tender point sites when 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds) of pressure is applied. When accompanied by a history of chronic fatigue and non-restorative sleep (waking up and feeling as if you haven’t slept), there is a strong suspicion that fibromyalgia is to blame.

People affected by fibromyalgia experience two unique responses to stimuli. They perceive normal stimuli as being painful and they perceive painful stimuli as being more painful than it should be.

These abnormal responses are thought to be due to an abnormality involving pain-processing pathways within the central nervous system.

History and physical examination is the first step in evaluation. Unfortunately, there are no specific laboratory tests that confirm the diagnosis. However, the tests can be helpful in excluding other conditions that can mimic fibromyalgia such as hypothyroidism, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment consists of a combination of four approaches. The first is patient education. Talking with the patient about the diagnosis and presenting what he options are. The second is institute medications. These may include one or more of the following:

o Analgesics which help to control pain. An example would be a drug such as tramadol

o Antidepressants which are used for their ability to elevate serotonin and nor-epiephrine levels in the brain. Examples include amitryptiline, fluoxitene, and duloxitene.

o Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine

o Anti-seizure medicines like gabapentin

o Anti-fatigue medicines (modafinil)

The third therapy is non-impact aerobic exercise which helps to increase endorphin production in the brain and helps to recondition muscles.

Finally, the fourth is cognitive behavioral therapy which helps with goal-setting, coping and other measures which reduce the sense of victimization that people with fibromyalgia often have.

Fibromyalgia can be treated effectively. It is important that a patient seek out a qualified and empathetic rheumatologist to help them.

Buy Butalbital apap caffeine
Tags: , ,
Posted in Pain | No Comments »
« Older Entries