Pain Relief Drugs 101

Pain Relief Drugs 101

Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one feels that a part of his/her body is paining? Majority of the response to this question will be in the negative. And ironically it is one piece of information that a person should be aware of.

Whenever a part of our body is hurt, the pain makes that part ache but the actual sensation is felt in the brain. There are various kinds of receptors in our brain and each is attributed with a different type of sensation. The process can be explained as follows. Every time part of our body is damaged, the damaged tissue releases chemicals – called prostaglandins – making the pain more acute. These chemicals on coming in contact with the cells in the damaged tissue, with the help of enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), further release chemicals. Also, these prostaglandins react with the nerve endings to send signals to the brain where the sensation of the pain is felt.

One importance of pain that can be highlighted here is that they keep reminding a person of the hurt, so that till the time injury is healed they are more careful about it. Pain can also result without a direct injury being caused, for example arthritis. Thankfully because of the advancements of the medicine, various types of medications are available to deal with different types of pains felt. A wide range of medicines start right from one as mild as Aspirin to something as strong as Narcotics, which should be only taken through a proper prescription of a medical practitioner and thus, it becomes necessary to take such medicines with highest degree of caution as every medicine has its own kind of side effects.

One of the most common pain relievers is Acetaminophen (popularly also known as paracetamol , and has established its 30 years of usage. It can also be used for curing fevers in children and adults apart from relieving pain.

As against acetaminophen, Narcotics are also used to cure pain but is adopted if no other medicine is able to effectively affect a patient, even though it is the greatest pain reliever than any medication prescribed. This is due to the numerous side effects that are associated with it, which includes chemical dependence. There are various types of Narcotics (OxyContin, Demerol, Hydrocodone) and have their own set of side effects. One of the most peculiar features of Hydrocodone is that it can even cause death.

There are various cautions that one should adopt while undergoing a pain relief medication, as many risks are associated with it. Primarily one should make the doctor aware of the medicines that are normally taken by the patient in the normal course for ordinary pains or any other thing as they can react with the pain relievers to cause side effects. Also, it should be told to the doctor if the patient is already associated with any disease apart from the on for which the doctor is consulted. Another thing to be kept in mind is that the pain relievers taken by the patient should not be stopped without consulting his doctor.

So now knowing this every one has a reason to take utmost precautions. God bless us all.


Mansi Gupta

Choose Back Surgery As A Last Resort

Choose Back Surgery As A Last Resort

For years I have suffered from low back pain. For years I have tried just about everything for the pain except having back surgery. From physical therapy, traction, chiropractors, steroid injections, drug therapy, biofeedback tactics, stretching and anything I could think of to relieve the pain. Through the years of suffering from pain it would have been very easy on several occasions to go under the knife and have back surgery in an attempt to help my back and the pain associated with it.

After seeing several doctors, after a few MRI's, after a CT scan, and a discogram, the general concessus by most physicians was that back surgery was needed. In order to get pain relief from my herniated disc, most doctors told me that surgery was the way to go. I still was not convinced. I heard the horror stories, I talked to the people who had back surgery who told me whatever you do don't do it. I saw the people who had back surgery who could barely walk, walking with a Cain. I thought to myself they are hurting worse than they was before. I might be in pain, but at least I can walk without using a walker or a cane.

Some of the people that I had talked to that had surgery, needed follow up surgery to either repair mistakes made in the first surgery, or to do things they simply did not do in the first surgery. To me this didn't sound very good at all. After talking to a lot of people about this, I think I only found one person that had a successful operation. So I made up my mind not to have surgery for the time being. I started doing excersises that stretched and streghthen muscles to take pressure off the disc's and nerves that cause the pain. I did a lot of mind over matter tactics telling myself that IM too young for surgery, and that I didn't even need surgery. I was a single man with a daughter, and just the work I would miss during the recovery time from having surgery would be devastating within itself. So I was determined to put it off as long as possible. I then told my personal doctor that I had decided not to have surgery. He in turn referred me to a pain management physician.

After seeing the pain management physician, he also advised me that I should have surgery. I told him at my age, and after thinking it all through, and talking to people who have had surgery, I had decided not to have back surgery until I couldn't stand it anylonger. I told him as long as my bladder is still in control, and the pain is bearable, I will be putting it off as long as I can. This physician didn't seem to like this. He put me on a low dose pain medicine program for a few months, but when I told him that I had decided against surgery, all the sudden he stopped prescribing pain medications.

I could not believe this, it seems for deciding against back surgery, my punishment was to stop giving me the medication that did give me the little relief that I desperately needed. So I felt like I was trying to be pressured into having back surgery. I told myself this is my back not theirs, they don't have to live with what happens in a failed back surgery. So to all of those people that are told they need back surgery, think twice. Don't get bullied into having a surgery that might make your life miserable. Remember, its your back, and you have to live with what happens. So only choose back surgery as a last resort.


Robert Gould

Buy Your Pain Medicine Online

Buy Your Pain Medicine Online

Don't loose time from work to make a doctors appointment. Don't sit around in a doctors office all day just to get prescriptions for the medications you know you already need. No need to make those follow up appointments that you might forget about, and if you do you then run out of medication. Now you can get all you pain medication legally online. More and more people all the time are finding alternative ways to obtain their medication they need each month, and this is another alternative people are choosing to take.

For people like me who hate going to the doctor anyway this works perfect. There was always something about going to the hospital or a doctors office that I found creepy. Now days those days are over. You can get online in the comfort of your home or office, you can get a same day consultation with the Physician. A consultation is when you talk directly to the physician over the phone. You go over your medical history, what other medications you are taking, he also asks if you are allergic to any medications. He goes over your chronic pain condition, goes over your medical records that you have already faxed in along with your ID ahead of time. After the consultation he writes you a prescription and forward it to a US Pharmacy for same day filling, and next day delivery.

Along with your consultation you get an additional two refills plus up to three different medications per consultation. So you could get three medications with two refills on each one. This has proven to work very good. This works great for the person who cant leave work to go to the doctor each month. Works great for the person who knows already what medications they need each month. Why pay a doctors visit just to sit around in a doctors office all day missing work. I have always thought that was kind of a waste of time and money anyway. With this method you get total privacy. Your spared the embarrassments that come along with a doctors appointment. With this type of online service you get your medications shipped to you overnight to your home or office.

With today's skyrocketing healthcare costs and the fact people cannot afford to miss work once a month to get their prescription paid medication, this alternative way is the wave of the future. I myself am a chronic pain sufferer and use this type of service. I have also found that the physicians are more compassionate to people suffering in pain to the traditional office visits. If you haven't already learned by now, chronic pain sufferers are treated differently than other people complaining of a medical condition.

With this type of service you are actually treated like a human being. I high recommend this to anyone who wants the proper pain medication needed to treat your pain, who wants the convenience of having it delivered to your front door. Anyone who wants a more pain free life, able to do the things you couldn't do before because of the pain, I would highly recommend this to anyone suffering from chronic pain for a better quality of life.


Robert Gould

How To Live In Chronic Pain

How To Live In Chronic Pain

Living in chronic pain is one of the most difficult things that I can think of. Everyday millions of Americans struggle with this issue. People of all ages young and old alike are finding themselves in this position. The sad thing about someone who lives in chronic pain is that their pain will most likely not be treated properly, therefore leaving the person to suffer. Its a sad fact that chronic pain goes grossly undertreated. People who live in chronic pain seeking treatment from the medical community in general are greeted with not to welcoming arms. It appears for various reason that people seeking relief from their pain are cast in a different light than other people who seek medical treatment. This is due to several reasons. First of all doctors these days simply will not treat someone long tern with chronic pain, unless of course your suffering from cancer. Not all chronic pain sufferers have cancer.

Some medical conditions as Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Arthritis, Herniaated discs, complications from failed back surgery, to any other conditions that causes great pain on a regular basis. Its really a shame and a sad statement that you have to have cancer to get the proper treatment needed for pain. Other reason people don't get the proper treatment is some physicians are ill equipped to treat a chronic pain sufferer. Other and more frustrating reasons are that Physicians are just plain scared of the government when writing prescriptions for narcotic medicine. This reason alone is probably the biggest one. The government has scared doctors away from treating people who truly suffer from pain.

If a person has a true medical condition that falls under chronic pain, and there is nothing you can do to help the patient, than pain medication should be available for everyone in that situation. As long as there is a medical condition, as long as patients abide by the guidelines that doctors require, and as long as doctors keep proper documentation, a physician has nothing to worry about. Most doctors just don't want to bother with the whole thing, for them its too much of a hassle. I would like to tell all these doctors to walk a day in the shoes of a chronic pain suffer and they would change their tune real quick. Also a lot of clinics and pain management programs in hospitals and such, have actually shut down business. But most have not shut down business due to the lack of people hurting in pain, they shut down and closed their doors due to them not making any money. This is another sad fact that making money comes first before helping people who suffer from chronic pain. I thought physicians took an oath to help people, not to shut their doors if they don't make money.

Fortunately, there are online U.S. Physicians that are willing to help people in pain. This has been a godsend. Without these type of physicians and pharmacies, people would simply just have to suffer and go without the proper medication needed to comfort their pain. Its a shame a country with the best medical care on the planet, will not treat people in pain properly. Sure there are those and always will be who manipulate the system, trying to get pain mediation for recreational use, but that's easy to weed out if the medical community was serious about treating people in pain. People who truly suffer in pain needed pain medication. Its that easy, but people are not getting it. I would recommend chronic pain sufferers to find a reputable online pharmacy who has U.S. Physicians and Pharmacies that treat people in pain. For this seems to be the only way people in pain get the proper medications needed. I have always wished that the people who are not interested in helping people in pain, or simply who don't help people in pain, I wish they would walk a painful mile in my shoes. Maybe then they would realize that pain is a real thing and people need real help.


Robert Gould

Multiple Sclerosis - What are the Effects?

Multiple Sclerosis - What are the Effects?

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system disorder characterized by damage to the messages transmitted to and from the brain. These messages generally control the way the body works. Thus, any damage can cause problems with vision, memory, balance and movement. It may also affect the ability to feel sensation, pain and vibration.

The human body is serviced by an extensive system of nerves that control the way the body functions. These nerves are protected by a fatty substance called myelin which insulates them from damage. If a person suffers from multiple sclerosis, the myelin is damaged thus blocking the impulses from the brain.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis

The early symptoms include loss of vision, loss of balance, weakness, and numbness. These symptoms are not universal to all sufferers. In fact, some people suffer little more than intense fatigue while others may be so affected they may become paralyzed.

The term 'sclerosis' means scarring and anyone looking at the brain or the tissue of the spinal cord sees what looks like intense scarring.

The damage in multiple sclerosis is thought to be caused by an unusual reaction to infections. The immune system produces white blood cells that destroy dangerous bacteria or viruses. However, in cases of multiple sclerosis, the white cells attack healthy tissue like myelin and nerve cells. This is called an auto immune response.

What are the types of multiple sclerosis?

There are four main kinds of multiple sclerosis, with symptoms varying in severity. These are:

* Benign Relapsing/remitting (RRMS).
* Secondary progressive (SPMS).

Primary progressive

People with benign multiple sclerosis may have the occasional attack while feeling perfectly healthy at other times. They suffer only a mild disability or no disability at all though medical examination shows evidence of multiple sclerosis damage to the brain. The lack of disability is because the damage may be in places in the brain that do not cause obvious disability or the damage is minimal.

More than fifty percent of sufferers start with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis in which they may suffer relapses two or three times a year with partial or complete recovery at other times. However, due to the gradual death of nerve cells and the myelin, the symptoms may get worse and more frequent. This takes them into the stage of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

In secondary progressive multiple sclerosis or SPMS, the disability increases as there is a progressive loss of nerve cells. During this stage, the sufferer no longer has relapses and remissions and the disability becomes progressively worse.

There are some people who become more and more disabled without ever having relapses and remissions. This type of multiple sclerosis is called primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

How is it diagnosed?

Our bodies fight infection by producing white blood cells, a natural disease fighter. However, in people with multiple sclerosis, the protective covering of the nerve fibres (myelin) is also attacked by these white blood cells. One of the tests done to diagnose multiple sclerosis is a lumbar puncture. In this test, cerebrospinal fluid is extracted from the spine through a hollow needle and is examined for signs of this disease.

The hidden signs of multiple sclerosis can also be detected using an MRI (magnetic resonance image). This uses a combination of radio waves and magnetic fields that provide a detailed view of the brain and spinal cord. By using this, the lesions in the myelin can be detected.

Treatment and outlook

At this time, multiple sclerosis is incurable, although thre is research taking place globally in an effort to find a treatment that will slow down the progression of this illness. In the meantime, there are a number of options which may make life more bearable. Some doctors prescribe ACTH, a steroid that accelerates the healing actions of the body.

Though there is no scientific evidence that special diets are beneficial, anecdotal evidence suggests that diets such as gluten free diets or those low in animal fats do help. Many multiple sclerosis sufferers seek out alternative therapies to relieve their symptoms. This may include acupuncture, homeopathy, and yoga.

For each person, the answer may be different and, though multiple sclerosis has no cure, it is important for the sufferer to find a positive way of living with this illness.

Anne Wolski

What Causes Tinnitus?

What Causes Tinnitus?

There may be times that you would hear an unusual ringing in your ears- beware you might be experiencing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a sensation in the ear, which constitutes a feeling of fullness of the ear. You can also feel some sort of pressure in it. The loud ringing within you is also dominant feeling and it is mostly a very long and sustained sound. It could last for just a few seconds but the loud ringing sound is very disturbing. And if you have Meniere's disease and tinnitus strikes it would last for a longer period.

Tinnitus is an ear problem. Most ear problems can be caused of a number of factors of which the most common one is the infection inside the ears. The infection could manifest itself in different ways and can affect specific parts of the ear. Ear infections are usually due to poor hygiene.

Wax build-up in the ears causes ear infection too. When those ear fluids come in contact with dirt, wax forms. If the ear is not cleaned regularly, wax can buildup to the extent it causes major problems.

Foreign objects in the ear canal can definitely pose some health risks. Anything, no matter how small, that finds its way inside the ear would pose to be a problem. It would also cause multiple ear infections when not attended immediately.

Tumors growing inside the ear would cause some hearing loss. Tumors are abnormal growths and tumors may either malignant or benign. Once you experience some abnormality in your hearing, consult your physician at once.

Injuries may cause ear problems as well. Physical injuries, even if not directed to the ears may cause some serious problems. If some parts of your head may be damaged, it may cause some hearing problems even if the damage is far away from your ear.

To take care of your ears and be free from tinnitus, do not expose yourself to too much noise. Loud music would gradually cause hearing problems and try not to use headphone much if possible. When the first signs of problems in the ears are observed, check with your doctor right away.

Jason Rickard

Hyperacusis And Social Issues

Hyperacusis And Social Issues

Hyperacusis is a condition where one develops an abnormal sensitivity to everyday sounds and noises. They may also be sensitivity to high pitched sounds. It is a chronic condition which is associated with tinnitus or ringing sounds in the ear. Young and old, who have both normal hearing and a hearing loss may suffer from hyperacusis.

It is a condition that develops in one slowly, maybe due to head injuries. Some research has also proven that some brain chemistry dysfunction resulting from poor intake of some chemicals leads to hyperacusis. Sometimes job related noise exposure, drugs or surgeries of the brain, ear and any other related surgery may lead to hyperacusis.

A person suffering from hyperacusis usually experiences inner ear pain or a feeling of fullness, like pressure, in the ears. This is the reason such people have a low threshold to sound, and find it difficult to take part in much social activities. They may in fact, consider themselves socially unfit, by not being able to withstand the sounds that are associated with social activities.

Hyperacusis sufferers usually end up with tinnitus (ringing sounds in the ears). Sometimes they may also find it difficult to sleep because of the stress level they suffer from. Another cause of hyperacusis is Phonophobia. Phonophobia is a condition where the person develops a fear of being exposed to some sounds, thinking that the sounds will damage their ear.

The best way of diagnosing hyperacusis is through hearing tests that detect sound sensitivity. Otolaryngologists, who are ear, nose and throat physicians, are also well versed in making a medical evaluation of hyperacusis.

The best treatment is through in-depth discussion of the tests performed to diagnose hyperacusis, explanation of the anatomy and physiology of hearing mechanism and how it is associated with hyperacusis helps control hyperacusis. This therapy focuses in educating the patient on hyperacusis, and to relieve their fears and concerns about it. Some patients may be advised Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), which is a habituation-oriented therapy.

With TRT, the patient's reactions to hyperacusis are reduced by using sound therapy. With the help of sound therapy, the patient's sensitivity to sounds is decreased, to help them view sound more positively. TRT is usually a combination of counseling and sound therapy where the patient is exposed to low-level sound for a few hours everyday.

Then there are alternative treatments where people are advised to take minerals like magnesium, zinc or herbal preparations like Ginkgo biloba, B vitamins or homeopathic remedies to help cure hyperacusis. Treatment varies with the patient, and the physician.

Jason Rickard

Vertigo: A Symptom Leading To Miniere's Disease

Vertigo: A Symptom Leading To Miniere's Disease

Vertigo is the feeling of whirling or spiraling that takes place as a result of a disorder to a person's balance. Subjective vertigo happens when a person feels dizzy from within while Objective vertigo is when the person feels that the things around him move.

Vertigo is, in fact, a symptom, it is not a disease on its own. It is a disorder in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for joining together the stimuli of the senses and a person's movements and it is also responsible in keeping the object in imagery focus, even if the rest of the body part is moving.

Vertigo can be one of the symptoms of Meniere's disease. Patients with this disease exhibit hearing loss and feels pressure in their ears. They also suffer from tinnitus, a state of severe imbalance. Vertigo is the most dramatic and the most disruptive symptom of Meniere's disease. When vertigo attacks, the patient should immediately head to see his doctor for treatment as it usually hits in succession within a short period of time.

If you experience a vertigo attack, you would suddenly feel wobbly and perceive all the things around you are spinning. Your eyes can also beat from side to side. You will also feel nauseous and sweaty. It would feel as if you are riding a real shaky ship amidst a hurricane for hours.

Meniere's disease binds vertigo to the definite hearing loss of a person. Although research shows an average of 0.01% to 0.07% people attains this disease. People above 40 are more prone to it. For people younger than that, cases are considered rare. It is also true with children.

If you have vertigo, chances are, you have contracted Meniere's disease. You should not waste any time and head for treatment immediately. Vertigo is one symptom that should never be taken for granted. Once it strikes, take a quick rest and immediately set and appointment with your physician.

If vertigo does lead to Meniere's disease, don't fret. Mineare's disease can be easily cured. Just heed your doctor's advice and recovery would be quick and easy.

Jason Rickard

Understanding The Symptoms Of Vertigo

Understanding The Symptoms Of Vertigo

Have you been a little lightheaded lately? If you happen to set your eyes on an object and you see it spinning, then your dizziness may lead to something serious. If your wooziness is coupled with a whirling sensation, chances are you may be experiencing vertigo. Vertigo is a medical term for dizziness that can lead to a balance disorder.

Vertigo is also known as "hallucination of motion". Individuals having this ailment begin to see blurred motions of stationary objects. It has almost the exact feeling of being in an unstoppable merry-go-round.

It may be left untreated many times, but vertigo is actually one of the most widespread medical problems among adults. In United States alone, around 40% of individuals experience the symptoms of vertigo at least once. This fact is so reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Studies show that vertigo is more common in women than in men and as a person grows older, he or she may experience more frequent attacks of vertigo.

Vertigo is usually associated inner ear infection, which is also referred to as labyrinthitis. Fluid-filled canals or labyrinths have very small hair cells that are responsible for sending impulses to the human brain. The brain then identifies the individual's correct body orientation. Once the small organs in the labyrinths gets irritated, then these cells may send incorrect messages to your brain. When this happens, you would feel a sudden drowsiness. Since the ear is responsible for the body's balance, once your ears are malfunctioning you may often observe yourself getting dizzy and out of balance.

Vertigo can also be caused by balance disorders and inflamed vestibular nerves. If you are physically injured in a part of your ear, chances are you would suffer from vertigo as well. It is important to take not that vertigo is not a disease in itself. It may be a symptom to a more complicated illness like tumor and stroke.

At the first signs of vertigo, immediately consult your doctor for proper advice. The common treatment for vertigo is meclizine. The symptoms of vertigo usually go away on its own but comes back after a few weeks or so. If you experience any signs of vertigo, never tell yourself that's it's just a simple headache and would soon go away. As passé as it may sound, prevention is always better than cure.

Jason Rickard

Understanding Vertigo

Understanding Vertigo

Vertigo is a condition where you experience dizziness with a change in the normal environment. Sometimes feeling a movement in space too is a sign of vertigo. However, it is not the case that all types of dizziness is vertigo; but certainly all vertigo is dizziness.

The true form of vertigo is a severe form of dizziness that results in movement hallucination. Such people suffer from a peripheral vestibular disorder like benign positional vertigo. These conditions in turn lead to tinnitus and hearing loss. With vertigo, you get the impression that you and your surroundings seem to move and you may experience some vomiting, tilting, and a feeling of falling through space. Some cases also lead to eyes jerking back and forth uncontrollably. It commonly lasts for periods ranging from a few days to a few weeks and though these symptoms generally improve, they may persist for a few weeks to a few months.

There are many causes for vertigo, the most common one being the Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV). This is a disorder of the inner ear, whose cause is not exactly known. However, it is usually an upper respiratory tract infection or a blow to the head that seems to be responsible for it. This is because it leads to a dislodgement of crystalline structures in the ear's balance detectors. This form of vertigo is most prevalent, especially when the head moves up and down, or when turning in bed. These attacks generally last 30 to 60 seconds and its occurrence can be reduced by avoiding positions which bring on vertigo.

Vertigo is also caused through labyrinthitis. This is a condition of the inner ear, which is associated with inflammation, maybe nerve deterioration, an upper respiratory infection or may occur independently of other situations. A symptom of various central nervous system disorders like multiple sclerosis, neck injuries, epilepsy, some forms of migraine, cerebellar and brain stem tumors and acoustic neuroma can be vertigo.

There is no common treatment for vertigo. Your physician has to do a complete medical evaluation to find out the true cause, and correspondingly advise the right solution. If some medication is found to cause your condition, lowering the dosage or discontinuing it can eliminate it all together. Some doctors also advise Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which is the most popular physical therapy used for the treatment of vertigo. Here, dizziness is minimized, balance improved and falls prevented by restoring the normal function of the vestibular system through exercises that make the brain adapt, and compensate the cause of vertigo. Some types of vertigo are also treated through medication while multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, and tumors may need medication, radiation or surgery.

Jason Rickard