Category Archives: Diseases

Living With Chronic Pain: What You Can Do

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According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 20% or roughly 50 million people in the United States live with chronic pain. The causes can range from injuries to migraine headaches or fibromyalgia to arthritis. It can be difficult to manage because it may have multiple causes and every person responds differently to pain or pain treatment. If you are living with a condition that hurts on a daily basis, you need relief. Luckily, there are many options today that not only don’t involve pain medication but they may be able to alleviate, prevent or lessen the symptoms in a more natural way. 

Photo by Alex Boyd on Unsplash

Botox

If you suffer from migraines, you have probably tried virtually everything to get relief. Many depend on pain management jacksonville fl for botox treatment. This isn’t your average cosmetic treatment. As a pain management procedure, a very small amount of botox is injected at several points around the head and scalp. It is believed that the neurotoxin blocks the chemical pain receptors in the brain, causing a reduction in severity or complete cessation of headaches.

Accupuncture

This ancient Chinese form of therapy has been used successfully for many years to treat arthritis, headaches, backaches and more. In an accupuncture treatment, a very thin needle is inserted into the skin and left for anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. The stimulation from the needle is purported to stimulate the flow of chi, or energy, allowing the body to heal itself. Another explanation is that the nerve stimulation causes the body to release its own pain blockers: beta-endorphins.

Meditation

As anyone dealing with the debilitating effects of chronic pain knows, stress can trigger or exacerbate inflammation which contributes to pain. Mindfulness meditation focuses on reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. In at least one study, blood tests have shown a reduction in the presence of the stress hormone ACTH and in the body’s inflammatory responses after practicing mindfulness meditation.

More dengue-carrying mosquitoes lurk at home

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CHILDREN are prone to get the dengue virus at home than when they are in school.

Citing studies done abroad, Dr. Eric Tayag, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, said there is a higher risk of contracting dengue at home than in school.

He said that in the past, experts are pointing to schools as possible sources of dengue infection. But studies done abroad showed that houses are more at risk of harboring dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Despite this information, Tayag said schools are not spared from cleaning their premises as there are potential breeding sites sitting around like water container and flower vases.

Tayag said schools should always be alerted about their responsibility in detecting signs and symptoms of dengue among students.

The school responsibility is to inform children, teach them what to look for so they can rid of possible mosquito breeding sites at home.

School personnel should be able to check students who may have fever or not feeling well so parents will be advised and if needed see a doctor immediately.

The health official recommends use of bed net, mosquito coil, and spray to protect oneself against mosquito bite.

He said the bottom line in dengue prevention is to remind the public to eliminate the breeding sites of mosquitoes and never ignore symptoms such as fever especially in children.

Dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in clear and stagnant water.

Six months after my hysterectomy

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My operation six months ago has given me a new lease of life. The doctor even said I have recovered well from the surgery. However, I’m starting to develop several signs and symptoms of menopause which I consider more debilitating than endometriosis and adenomysis because bone pain limit my body movement. I couldn’t walk far and couldn’t perform heavy household chores. Even a simple washing of dishes renders me too tired to do other tasks at home. I could sit in front of the computer to write about ez drummer but only for a short period of time otherwise I would have lower back pain and finger and knuckles joint pain. I have yet to see a doctor to address my health problem. I hope it’s nothing serious.

My TAHBSO Story

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A month ago today, I underwent surgery to remove my uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. The procedure is called total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or TAHBSO. TAHBSO was necessary because I had a severe case of endometriosis, adenomyosis, and adenomyoma.

My OB-GYNE said a hysterectomy was the best option to spare me the agony of prolonged and heavy menstruation, which had affected my way of life for a long time. I also had hormonal therapy for six months, but even the expensive pill didn’t cure the endometriosis.

Preparation

Before the operation, I researched hysterectomy, its advantages, and its disadvantages. I found helpful tips from a website that caters to hysterectomy patients. It took me several weeks before I decided that it was about time to go under the knife and change my life for the better.

I’m thankful that I have a supportive husband who made me feel at ease before the important day unfolded.

Date of operation: December 13, 2016 mumwrites.com

Operation Day

The operation went well. It lasted for about two hours, and thankfully, it didn’t require a blood transfusion. I think I was already awake towards the end of the procedure since I was aware of what was happening around me. I even requested one of the nurses to allow me to see what the doctors removed from the operation.

I was up and about a day after the surgery. The doctors said I should get up and walk inside my room to hasten recovery. I only stayed at the hospital for five days.

Healing Well

Four weeks after the surgery, I think I’m on my way to full recovery. I haven’t had a hard time recovering because I followed the doctor’s advice. I rested a lot but made sure to move around the house. I started doing light chores in my second week. There may be occasional irritation and pain, but it is all bearable and subsides in a few minutes.

Date taken January 12, 2017 mumwrites.com

Best Decision

The best decision I have made so far is the decision to have this operation. I will never worry about bleeding again or fear that I may develop an ailment in the future. My only concern, at the moment, is the recurring joint pain. I am in surgical menopause now, so joint pains and other health issues will certainly happen.

Piece of Advice

Young women and women nearing menopausal age are prone to have endometriosis and adenomyosis. If you are suffering from the same condition, consult a doctor. Reading about the disease can help you better understand it. However, visiting a medical professional is always the right thing to do.