Everyday pain management ideas

With the opioid crisis looming over our heads, we need to look for new ways to treat some of the problems that could potentially lead to future opioid use.  One of the most common causes of chronic pain is low back pain that stems from degenerative changes, sciatica, etc. As mentioned in past posts, there is no panacea for any of these conditions, but there are many options out there. I recently read a story in the New India Express about a new treatment that is offering hope to patients with these types of maladies. According to the article, our body posture can easily end up in misalignment when we try to compromise for things like physical trauma, or develop poor posture habits in the workplace. We often overlook the effects of these postural abnormalities as part of "the big picture."  Using the latest technology, medical science can now detect and treat such abnormalities with great precision. Medical procedures of this sort are non-invasive and are virtually pain

Believe it or not, there really is a painful disorder known as "Burning Mouth Syndrome!" While it does not occur commonly, it can affect an individual for weeks, months or years.  This syndrome, as its name implies, causes a burning sensation in the oral cavity.  The primary symptoms is a sensation in the mouth that has been described as burning, scalding, or even tingling. It is difficult to diagnose because there is no visible abnormality for a doctor, dentist, or other health care provider to see upon exam. Burning Mouth Syndrome is considered " Primary BMS " if no underlying medical condition can be associated with it.  In this case, damage to nerves seems to be the underlying cause of the problem. " Secondary BMS " can be associated with an existing medical problem such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, allergies, Sjorgren's syndrome, certain medications or nutritional deficiencies, an oral infection or even gastroesophogeal reflux disease G

One of the traditional strategies in the treatment of chronic pain is cognitive based therapy(CBT)--that is, using the help of a psychologist to help build up coping skills and keep a positive perspective in spite of the hardships. A recent study based in the United Kingdom suggests an alternative approach: shared reading.  Shared reading is an activity in which a small group of individuals gather to read aloud. The study involved reading poetry, short stories, and other literature that helped participants to recall memories and experiences of life, especially those that pertain to childhood, family, work, and other lifetime memories.  The idea for this study stems from the use of this strategy for other chronic conditions such as dementia. It is thought that prompting these memories helps patients to address painful emotions that may contribute to their respective conditions. While the results of the study are encouraging, the team who conducted the study says a larger scale st

A Denver-based company has developed a test that can help physicians monitor opioid usage in patients--using saliva instead of urine samples.  The test is known as CORE (Comprehensive Oral fluid Rx Evaluation). Cordant Health Solutions, the developer of this test, says that it is more accurate than the widely used urine tests currently in use.  A sample is easily collected simply by swabbing the inside of a patient's mouth. The test can detect if patient is taking the right amount of medication, while urine tests only detect the presence or absence of a drug.  Urine tests also give false results sometimes.  As an example, the decongestant component in common cold remedies can trigger as a positive for amphetamines. While it has its positives, the company admits that the test is not foolproof. Drug levels found in saliva do not correspond with blood test results about 25 percent of the time. Another drawback is that the result of a saliva test is not available for 48 to 72 h

While it might seem overwhelming at first, it is possible to have a somewhat normal life when you are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.  If you are new to exercise, it will probably be very challenging in the beginning, but it can be done!  It's important to start low, go slow....you're not training for a marathon when you first start out! Gentle forms of exercise, such as walking or swimming are great exercises for beginners. It might be necessary to get some help from a physical therapist or a personal trainer to get yourself going! Cycling, yoga and tai chi are other possible activities.  Do not hesitate to talk to your health care team if you are unsure about an activity; it's better to be safe than sorry. Pain is an unfortunate consequence of psoriatic arthritis.  Medications are necessary to combat pain and also the inflammation caused by this condition.  Most likely prescription NSAIDs or biologics such as Humira® will be a component of your treatment.  S

While the mainstay of therapy for psoriatic arthritis is the medical management of inflammation, there are a number of things that complement the efforts of their health care team.  First and foremost, diet and nutrition play a big role in this regard. Their are several facets to consider in this effort: --Anti-inflammatory foods help to reduce the inflammation caused by psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.    See my earlier post: The Painful Truth About Psoriasis: Dietary Considerations --A heart-healthy diet, including elimination of alcohol, processed foods, and fatty foods and instead opting for lean meats, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy oils. --Inclusion of omega-3 oils in the diet through supplements, nuts, fish oil, eggs and other foods --Up to 25 percent of those who have psoriasis have gluten sensitivity, so a gluten-free diet is worth considering. -- Weight loss  is important, especially since obesity is a risk factor for psoriasis and the other

Psoriasis is a chronic disorder, and those who suffer from it are at higher risk than most for other disorders. One such problem is psoriatic arthritis.  About 10 to 20 percent of all psoriasis patients will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.  Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the hallmarks of psoriatic arthritis. Any part of the body can be affected by it, and the symptoms can range in intensity from mild to severe.  There is no cure for this disorder, so the focus of treatment is on managing inflammation to prevent joint pain and disability. That being said, psoriasis is not the only risk factor for psoriatic arthritis; as a matter of fact some people develop psoriatic arthritis even though they do not have psoriasis! Knowing these risk factors and doing your best to control the controllable are the keys to prevention. So, here is a list of these risk factors. 1) As already mentioned, having psoriasis is a big risk factor for development of psori