Chronic Pain

Easing Chronic Pain With Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Even mild chronic pain, whether from arthritis, migraines, or another condition, can be debilitating. So it makes sense to take a pain reliever to make the hurt go away. But when you walk down the aisle of your local drug store, there are many pain pills to choose from. How do you know which pain pill to choose? And just what is the difference between aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen?

Aspirin and ibuprofen belong to a large class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs. NSAIDs and acetaminophen can block pain and reduce fever. Together, they make up the most widely used group of drugs for treating pain conditions. Here's information you can use in working with your doctor to find out if these pain pills are right for you.

How Do Anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs, Differ From Acetaminophen?
The primary difference between NSAIDs and acetaminophen (Actamin, Pandadol, Tylenol) lies in the way each relieves pain. Acetaminophen works primarily in the brain to block pain messages and seems to influence the parts of the brain that help reduce fever. That means it can help relieve headaches and minor pains. But it's not as effective against pain associated with inflammation.

Inflammation is a common feature of many chronic conditions as well as injuries. NSAIDs reduce the level of certain chemicals called prostaglandins that are involved in inflammation. Treatment with NSAIDs can lead to less swelling and less pain.

What Are Some Examples of NSAIDs?
You are probably already familiar with several types of NSAIDs. For instance aspirin is a widely used pain pill and at one time, aspirin was the only NSAID available without a prescription. Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, began as prescription drugs. Now they are sold, usually at a lower dose, as over-the-counter pain pills.

Other examples of NSAIDs include:

diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren)
etodolac (Lodine)
fenoprofen (Nalfon)
flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn)
oxaprozin (Daypro)

Some pain pills, such as Excedrin Migraine, combine an NSAID, in this case aspirin, with acetaminophen.

Another kind of NSAID, available only by prescription, is known as a COX-2 inhibitor. These medicines provide pain relief like other NSAIDs, but they are less likely to cause stomach problems. The only COX-2 inhibitor available in the U.S. is celecoxib (Celebrex).

How Do I Know Which NSAID Will Work for My Chronic Pain?
The effectiveness of any particular pain medication varies from person to person. So it may be necessary to try several different medicines at various dosages. Side effects, and their severity, vary from person to person. You may not be able to take a particular NSAID because your body can't tolerate it. At the same time, your neighbor may take it and have no problem at all.

Whether you should take an over-the-counter pain reliever or a prescription-strength NSAID also varies from person to person. Remember, over-the counter painkillers are still medicines. They may be cheaper than prescription medicines and you don't need a doctor's prescription to buy them, but they can still have major effects on you. That's especially true if you are going to take a pain pill long term for chronic-pain. If you need pain medicine for more than 10 days, talk to your doctor to see which one is right for you.

How Do I Know Which NSAID Will Work for My Chronic Pain?
Your doctor should know all the medicines you take. Your doctor can advise you if the NSAID may interact with other medications you take. Also, your doctor can suggest the right dose for you. As you continue to take the medicine, your doctor can also monitor its effect, and raise or lower the dose as needed.

Before recommending a specific pain pill, your doctor will want to consider:

your medical history
past surgeries
your current health concerns
allergies and past reactions to drugs
other medicines you take
the functioning of your liver and kidneys
the drug's expense
your overall treatment plan and goals
When you talk with your doctor, be sure to ask about anything you don't understand.

Are There Side Effects and Special Cautions Associated With NSAIDs?
Specific side effects vary from drug to drug. For instance, some NSAIDs are harsher on the stomach than others. But there are certain side effects that are common to NSAIDs as a class. Serious side effects include:

bleeding problems
damage to the stomach and small intestine lining that can lead to ulcers
kidney disease
elevated blood pressure
muscle cramps
hearing problems

Other less serious side effects include:

dizziness or headache
nausea
excess gas
diarrhea or constipation
extreme tiredness or weakness
dry mouth

Your doctor or your pharmacist can give you specific information about the side effects of the particular drug you are taking.

In addition to side effects, there are serious health risks associated with NSAIDs. It is important to talk with your doctor before taking NSAIDs if any of the following apply to you:

You are allergic to aspirin or any other pain reliever.
You have more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day.
You have stomach ulcers or bleeding in your digestive tract.
You have liver or kidney disease.
You have heart disease.
You take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding disorder.

Although aspirin taken in low doses with a doctor's supervision can help protect some people from heart attack, certain NSAIDs can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. They can also interfere with blood pressure medicine, making it less effective.

Children and teenagers under the age of 18 should not take aspirin unless their doctor says to. There is a risk of Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal disease.

So Should You Take an NSAID to Manage Your Chronic Pain?
Anti-inflammatory drugs have a long history of success. Many people are able to manage their chronic pain quite well using NSAIDs as part of their management plan. For most, side effects, if any, are minor. But all medications have associated risks. All medications also have benefits. Deciding to take an NSAID or any medication involves weighing the risk against the benefit.

Eli Lilly, of Eli Lilly and Company once stated, "A drug is not a drug, unless it has a side effect."

Belly Fat

Excess accumulation of belly fat is more dangerous than excess fat around your hips and thighs. Belly fat is associated with serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Your genes can contribute to your being overweight and help determine where you carry this extra fat, but poor lifestyle choices are likely to worsen the issue.

Eating high-fat foods is not helpful, but excess calories of any kind can increase your waistline and contribute to belly fat. Still, there is no single cause of belly fat. Genetics, diet, age, and lifestyle can all play a role. Changing dietary habits can help you fight the battle of the bulge and fight belly fat: Read labels, reduce saturated fats, increase the amount of fruits and veggies you eat, and control and reduce your portions.

Excess calories, whether from alcohol, sweetened beverages, or over-sized portions of food, can increase belly fat. Our bodies need calories, yet gram for gram, alcohol has almost as many calories as fat.

Alcohol does seem to have a particular association with an increased waistline, though. In general, that’s because when you drink alcohol, your liver is too busy burning off alcohol to burn off fat, leaving you with a beer belly. Studies show that alcohol can cause you to feel hungry by affecting hormones that regulate a sense of satiety.

Researchers at Wake Forest University found that trans fats, which are created by partially hydrogenated oil, increase the amount of fat around the belly and redistribute fat tissue to the abdomen from other parts of the body. Trans fats may be found in such foods as margarine, pastries, cookies and crackers, and fried and convenience foods.

Green tea, in combination with exercise, could help you lose weight, according to the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers think substances in green tea known as catechins stimulate the body to burn calories and enhance loss of belly fat. Blueberries also show promise, albeit in rodents. In one study, rats bred to become obese were fed either a high-fat diet or a low-fat diet rich in blueberries. Rats fed a blueberry-rich diet had less abdominal fat.

Many fast food options are typically high-fat, calorie-dense foods that are eaten in large portions -- all of which contribute to over-consumption of calories, weight gain, and an increase in belly fat when eaten frequently. Many fast food restaurants don’t provide nutritional information, but studies have shown that when this is available, people tend to pick lower-calorie meals.

According to the American Heart Association, “soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the No. 1 source of added sugars in the American diet.” Added sugars mean added calories, something you want to avoid to help with weight loss and cut down on belly fat. Yet, high-fructose corn syrup has gradually replaced refined sugar as the main sweetener in soft drinks and has been blamed as a potential contributor to the obesity epidemic.

Does switching to diet sodas help? Although some research has suggested that people who drink artificially sweetened sodas as part of a calorie-restricted diet do lose weight, other studies have suggested that diet soft drinks could even lead to weight gain. For now, there’s no conclusive evidence either way.

To trim your waistline, add whole grains to your diet. For example, choose brown or wild rice instead of white rice. Refined and other highly processed foods can contribute to weight gain and interfere with weight loss. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a calorie-controlled diet rich in whole grains can trim extra fat from the waistline of obese subjects.

Couscous, spaghetti, and corn flakes are made from refined grains (though whole grain options may be available). But popcorn is a whole grain food that can boost fiber. The best way to prepare popcorn is with an air-popper, which requires no oil for cooking. Read labels to see what oils have been added to microwave popcorn.

All else being equal, though, whole grains are better than refined grains because they tend to be high in fiber and take longer to digest. This satisfies your hunger better and helps lower blood glucose levels and reduce fat.

Overall, men tend to store fat in the abdominal area more than women do, thanks to sex hormone differences. Before age 40, women tend to store most of their fat in the hips, thighs, and buttocks. After 40, as estrogen levels drop, body fat is redistributed to the abdomen.

When you lose weight, you’re much more likely to lose it in your midsection. Losing weight on a well-balanced plan will melt body fat, including belly fat. The best way to decrease your waist size is through healthy eating and regular exercise.

Mouth Devices for Sleep Apnea

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea -- a condition in which relaxation of the muscles around the tongue and throat causes the tissues to block airflow to the lungs while you sleep
 -- there are a number of treatment options to discuss with your doctor. Two of the most widely used and most effective are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and dental appliances, or mouth guards.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP blows air down your throat at night to keep your airways open while you sleep. The treatment is done using a CPAP machine, which consists of three main parts:

• Mask that fits over your nose -- or your nose and mouth -- and is held in place with straps while you sleep
• Motor that blows air
• Large tube called a cannula that connects the motor to the mask

CPAP machines are small, lightweight, and fairly quiet. If you travel, you should take your CPAP with you.

Benefits of CPAP include keeping your airways open while you sleep, easing snoring, improving sleep quality, relieving daytime sleepiness, and lowering blood pressure.

Although you will likely feel better rested and alert once you start CPAP, getting used to the device can take some time. Some people have difficulty sleeping the first few nights of treatment.

Side effects of CPAP use are minor and may include:

• Feelings of confinement from the face mask
• Sore or dry mouth
• Nasal congestion, runny nose, sinusitis, or nosebleeds
• Irritation and sores over the bridge of the nose
• Stomach bloating and discomfort
• Discomfort in chest muscles, which usually gets better after a while

If you are having any of these or other problems, speak to your doctor. An adjustment to your CPAP machine may make it more comfortable. Some CPAP machines have special features such as heated humidifiers to reduce problems such as drying of the airways. Other possible fixes include using a cushioned face mask, chin straps, and nasal saltwater sprays. Your doctor may have additional suggestions.

Mouth Devices

If you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and can't tolerate or haven't been helped by CPAP, oral appliances may be an effective treatment option.

These devices, which must be fitted by a dentist or orthodontist, and worn in the mouth at night include:

Mandibular advancement device (MAD). The most widely used mouth device for sleep apnea, MADs look much like a mouth guard used in sports. The devices snap over the upper and lower dental arches and have metal hinges that make it possible for the lower jaw to be eased forward. Some, such as the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), allow you to control the degree of advancement. 

Tongue retaining device. Used less commonly than MAD, this device is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway open.

Good Posture Equals Good Health

Articles from the British "ResponseSource.com" comes the headline, "Work May Be Hazardous to Your Health."  This article also highlights the dangers of workplace posture and its effect on health.  In this article the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) joined forces with Targus, a leading supplier of mobile computing cases, to conduct the research that showed that a third of office workers make no adjustments to either seating or computer equipment when switching desks. The article noted that the same percentage of office workers say they currently suffer back pain – and experts believe there may be a link.

The American PR Newswire article noted that the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) was declaring May to be "Correct Posture Month" and is using this event to highlight the relationships between posture and health. Spokesperson for the ACA Dr. Jerome  McAndrews stated, "Once established, poor posture creates a chain reaction throughout the body. The digestive and respiratory systems will be affected by poor posture, especially poor sitting posture. And in more serious cases, where poor posture has had major effects on the musculoskeletal system, there can be a resulting negative impact on the vascular system."

In the British article, Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association commented, “Whether at work or at home, computers have begun to dominate our lives, yet what we don’t realize is that they in fact have the ability to damage our health. The nation is suffering from an epidemic of back pain and our working lives could be contributing to this. By taking time to adjust your chair and by taking regular breaks can help protect your spine and prevent the onslaught of back pain”.

Both Chiropractic organizations released a series of recommendations to help deal with the posture issue. Similarly, The International Chiropractors Association also released recommendations related to posture and sitting at work. These include:

When sitting - use a chair with firm low back support. Keep desk or table top elbow high, adjust the chair or use a footrest to keep pressure off the back of the legs, and keep your knees a little higher than your hips. Get up and stretch frequently--every hour if you sit for long periods of time. Do not sit on a fat wallet; it can cause hip imbalance!

When working on a computer - take a one or two minute task break every 20 minutes when you work at a computer screen. Keep the screen 15 degrees below eye level. Place reference materials on a copy stand even with and close to the terminal.

Our World Today

Our world today ... what is wrong with it? Are we drifting, or are we plunging into moral and political decay? Are debt, high prices, and extended credit upsetting our whole economy? Are we headed for an economic breakdown and moral decline worse than the world has ever before known? It can be disturbing to give thought of the future. I believe it's appalling as there seems to be an unknown void facing the young and old alike. What elements are available to give us hope?

We in the United States are supposed to have political and social economic stability equaled by none. We are considered a Judeo-Christian nation, But what about it? Consider all the scandals in Washington over the years, Watergate, Benghazi and the IRS, and all the corruption, without culpability. With the leaders involved, what kind of light is to be shed on the months and years ahead? No wonder doubts, fears, and anxieties are facing each and every one of us. Has anyone, or any party, the vision or hope required to save this great nation? Where there is no vision, "the people perish", says the Bible. Rome had its rise and fall. Other nations have followed suit in time. Is our nation destined to follow the same bleak trail? The situation is enough to give credible concern.

And, what about the moral reaction? How about drug addicts in the young and old? The young because they crave excitement and are facing a destiny that is not encouraging; the old because time is running out, and the younger set is giving them concern. Crime is growing, and often worry is causing nervous breakdowns. Is it not enough to cause concern?

What about medical and hospital services with their high costs and the side effects of drugs and medication that often leave the victim worse than the disease confronting him or her in the first place? No wonder Abby,  Landers, Dr. Phil and others are being pressed for answers in every phase of life, with things that appear to be growing worse.

On a more positive note, there is a light ahead in the healing arts. Have you ever considered Chiropractic as a mode of healing, minus the drugs and needless surgery?

Your body, sometimes called a house of clay, is made up of bones, muscles, glands, organs, blood vessels, and nerves. All of these are arranged in systems that normally maintain health in its many forms without drugs, tranquilizers, and/or pain killers.

Your body is "fearfully and wonderfully made", says Psalm, and so it is. The skeletal system consists of long, short, and irregular shaped bones to which major muscles are attached giving activity and function to the rest of the body.

In this anatomical arrangement, the spinal column is the strength and support of the body, but it has added functions. The spine supports the head that houses the brain. It also encases the spinal cord and provides openings between the vertebrae through which bundles of trunk nerves emit forming a direct medium of contact from brain cells to tissue cells.

Through this medium sensation is flashed to the brain where the message in interpreted, and responding mental impulses direct activity and function in a state of health.

Sometimes however, due to spinal shocks and strains, one or more vertebrae are displaced to a degree so that nerves are "pinched" resulting in dis-ease with it various symptoms.

Natural Sleep Aids

Many people learn to function on just a few hours a night, but often times, lack of sleep catches up with you in a very objective manner. When you are sleep deprived, it's difficult to keep one's sense of humor, your patience, and also your ability to work with others.

What are the options for people who don't want to take prescription sleep medications but crave a good night's sleep?

Natural Sleep Aids: Dietary Supplements

Valerian is a dietary supplement that has been used since ancient times for insomnia and nervousness. Although many people use valerian as a sleep aid, its effectiveness has not been proven. MD's in most cases will not recommend it.

Chamomile, like valerian, is a traditional herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times to fight insomnia and a wide range of other health complaints. Chamomile is sold in the form of tea, extract, and topical ointment. Chamomile is widely available in health food stores and supermarkets. Chamomile's effectiveness as a sleep aid has not been widely researched in humans, but in animal studies it has been shown to be a safe and mild sleep aid.

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin is believed to play a central role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. Synthetic melatonin is a popular dietary supplement that is sold as a sleeping aid and antioxidant. There is evidence that melatonin eases circadian rhythm disorders like jet lag and delayed sleep phase disorders, but it hasn't been proven effective in treating insomnia or improving sleep quality in the long term.

While scientific research has not proven the effectiveness of many natural sleep aids, that doesn't mean they won’t help you sleep. People like to feel they are taking something.

A few cautions are in order. In the case of melatonin, for example, it is not advised to give it to children, especially boys, since there is evidence that it can affect testosterone levels. Be sure to consult your physician before you take any dietary supplement. Some supplements can interact with other medications or have unanticipated side effects.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, describes a variety of therapies that modify thought and behavior patterns. CBT has been used to effectively treat other conditions, including depression, phobias, and eating disorders. When used to treat insomnia, CBT helps patients alter thoughts and behaviors that disrupt sleep and trigger insomnia.

Programs for insomnia can include the following techniques:

Sleep hygiene helps patients improve their daily sleep habits by counseling them to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening, monitor nighttime eating, and engage in relaxing activities before bed, for example.

The pineal gland is one of the most important techniques for sleep and stimulus control. Approximately 1 to 2 hours before retiring for the evening, turn off ALL electrical apparatus, including television, computers and dim the lights around you. This allows the pineal gland to "wind down" and develops a calming, sleep-induced rhythm association with sleep. Also, remove televisions and computers from the bedroom; the bed  should be used only for sleep and sex.

Sleep restriction limits the number of hours spent in bed, which helps increase sleep efficiency. Cognitive therapy helps patients understand and counter negative thoughts and misconceptions that keep them awake. Relaxation techniques help people relax with guided imagery, meditation, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation.

For those with serious insomnia problems, a sleep study is recommended.

A Perfect Pattern

What is essential for a perfect fit, a pleasing style, and happy results? The answer is to have an excellent pattern to go by.

In building a house, creating a new invention, or accomplishing anything in life, a good idea and a perfect plan are essential for best results.

This fact holds true in everything. It is especially true in creating your life's pattern or reaching a higher goal, or being your better self which is a worthy ambition that you should always strive to attain.

Of course perfection is seldom reached. But, it is something to shoot for and there is great satisfaction in almost reaching your objective. Anything less than your best is unworthy. You have to think high to rise, and this is very true if you expect to win the prize.

Perhaps you will say your handicap in life is ill health, that you live on aspirins and other drugs you have been prescribed by doctors.

No wonder you have health problems. Can you expect great good from a wrong course? Can there be anything near perfection in a pattern unsound in principle? Drugs merely blind you to effect and actually correct nothing. Perhaps you realize this but continue to rationalize, "What can I do? I must have relief."

Look at it this way. Your body has been called God's masterpiece because of its marvelous design. Consider the dexterity of the hands and fingers. The marvel of sight and hearing, the beauty of form. The miracle of thought and memory, the wonders of digestion which is the changing of common food into living, loving flesh, blood and bones, hair, skin and nails. Also consider the additional fact of the healing of injuries or diseases and the supplying of nourishment when and where needed. These represent perfection to the highest degree. Had you thought of that?

But, you still may continue to protest that your body is out of tune with nature's plan. What can you do about it? The pattern may be perfect, but what about the means of keeping it so? What is it that directs and controls all bodily function? This is done through the nervous system. The nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord plus its bundles of spinal nerves that emit from openings between the vertebrae. In this masterful arrangement the spinal column encases the spinal cord. Through these openings nerve bundles emit before separating into countless tiny fibers that form a direct medium of contact between the brain cells and tissue cells.

Through this medium, all sensation is communicated to the brain where the message in interpreted and responding mental impulses direct and control all bodily activity, in a normal state of health. But sometimes due to spinal strain due to postural difficulties, or from accident related trauma, a vertebrae may be displaced to a degree so that nerves are "pinched". That disturbs function, lowers resistance, and results in dis-ease, with its various symptoms which may induce you to employ pain killers and kindred methods to reduce pain.

There is a better way! Clearly, a natural methodology would be the utilization of chiropractic to restore a more perfect pattern. This is done by hand only, to correct the cause thus opening the way toward better health and a more abundant and higher
quality of life.