The lack of concern in the American medical community for those in chronic pain is criminal. This is a bold statement, but it is true. For most physicians, the issue of pain control and relief is overshadowed by the issue of addiction. Since many pain medications are addictive when misused, physicians often view the repeated requests for pain relief from the chronic pain sufferer as an indication of addiction. Therefore they reduce the medication level to prevent the patient from becoming dependent on the medication and force them to live in constant pain.

For the chronic pain patient, for instance a fibromyalgia sufferer, this is compounded by the fact that many physicians do not treat their condition as being serious and some even deny its existence. Because of this, these patients are forced to endure months or even years of severe pain before someone finally recognizes that they need long term pain management, not short term pain relief.

Where can this type of pain management be found? Can your family physician provide it? Probably not! It is a rare family physician who knows the intricacies of pain management. Instead, seek out a specialist who is board certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and trained in the application of Integrated Medicine. These physicians recognize the complexities of pain and how it affects the daily lives of chronic sufferers. They understand that pain affects the patient in many other ways that are separate from the pain itself.

For example, the level of pain can cause a person to only sleep in short bursts. This causes physical and emotional exhaustion which begins to affect every aspect of their lives. The pain can also affect the mood of the sufferer, leading to irritability, withdrawal and finally clinical depression. Because of the level of pain, some sufferers even attempt suicide to escape from the pain. This is tragic, since there are many treatments which can reduce the pain to a manageable level or even eliminate it altogether.

Many conditions which cause chronic pain are precipitated by an injury or some other trauma, which when the pain caused by them is left untreated can lead to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. By the inappropriate use of pain medication when the injury first occurs, these other conditions are allowed to develop. If physicians treated the original trauma, perhaps many cases of these illnesses could be eliminated.

Pain management specialists, for example have developed a technique called neurostimulation. In this technique, an electrical simulator is connected by a small metal lead to the area near the center of the pain, so that it blocks the pain signal from reaching the brain. Some people might ask if blocking the pain from being felt might not lead to further injury, since the pain is a signal that something is wrong in the body. In reality, the pain felt in chronic pain is called maldynia and is different from the pain of an injury. It serves no biological function. It simply exists. And it needs special techniques to eliminate it.

There are many herbal supplements as well that Integrative Medicine physicians are using to enhance the traditional approaches to pain control. There are other techniques, such as biofeedback, aromatherapy, massage, and even meditation. A combination of these methods has been proven time and again to be superior to either technique used alone.

If fibromyalgia or any other chronic pain issue is causing you pain that is preventing you from functioning in a normal manner, locate a pain management clinic in your area or a physician who specializes in pain management and get an evaluation of your condition. Remember, you can get relief, but it’s up to you to take the first step.

Upon my arriving home I ventured back into my usual routine of visiting doctors and arranging tests. At one of my doctors’ visits, he inquired about how well the new medication was working, I told him I was pleased with the results and that my pain had decreased significantly. As a side comment, I casually mentioned how the taste of food had become bland. I quickly discovered that this lack of taste was due to one of the many side affects of this new medication. With this in mind, we promptly agreed to remove the Prenicillamine and replace it with yet another new medication.

Every two weeks I went through a series of tests and evaluations. The grueling doctor’s visits and tedious tests eventually started taking its toll. Yet through it all, my friend and I continued our daily commitment to working out at the health club.

As my life seemed to be getting back to normal, my husband of 11 years had become very ill. One day, out of the blue he started experiencing overwhelming pain. After rushing him to the hospital, and sending him through numerous tests, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He promptly had surgery to remove the tumor and was eventually released from the hospital to return home to recover.

With the grace of God, I managed to find the strength and stamina I needed to care for him at home. After months of healing he felt stronger and returned to work, but unfortunately, his recovery was short lived. One year after being diagnosed with colon cancer, doctors discovered he now was suffering from malignant liver cancer. After a hard and exhausting fight with seven months of chemotherapy, he eventually lost his battle for his life and died.

With the passing of my husband, the depression and stress ignited another painful flare-up with the arthritis. Once again it was back to the doctors every two weeks for blood tests and evaluations. Once again, I called upon God and my inner strength to pull me through this present challenge. I refused to give up; after all I had my children and my precious grandchildren to keep me going.

After my last set of blood tests, I began to feel much better. The doctor once again removed me from my current medication and put me on Ascripitin AD. Another anti-inflammatory for pain with fewer side effects.

For the first time since experiencing this illness I finally had a medication I could tolerate.

Through all this I continued my commitment to working out at the health club. One day while doing my usual routine, I was talking to some of the other members about my situation. To my delight, they told me about a group called The Chronic Pain Association. I later discovered that a friend of mine had been involved with a local chapter that met only a few miles from were I was living at the time.

When I tracked her down, she gave me the details of the group and I decided to attend my first meeting. What a blessing; the people in attendance came from all walks of life, I found most easy to relate to. We all suffered from one thing in common, “pain, ” each with different varieties and varying degrees but nonetheless, pain.

Through these support meetings I was taught to take control of my pain, I became more assertive in dealing with the doctors and medical staff.

The Chronic Pain Association was helpful in recommending various types of books that were informative. Books that provided support, such as, “Bad Things Happen to Good People” were especially helpful for me and dealing with my daily challenges.

I was not only learning to cope with the physical pain of arthritis, but also, the emotional pain of losing my husband to cancer, I found this Association to be very therapeutic and supportive. They helped me to become, once again, a productive and contributing part of society. It took a combination, of modern medicine, the physical support of the health club, the mental support provided by the Pain Association and most important to me, the spiritual support I found through God.

I remember as a child, my Grandmother commenting on how she could tell when a storm was about to approach, or when there would be a sudden drop in temperature that she would experience a drastic increase in her discomfort.

I wondered, as I grew older, if these remarks were just old wives tales or could my grandmother’s body actually tell her of changing weather patterns. Now, after personally experiencing arthritis, I can understand what my grandmother went through. I can also say without a doubt, that varying degrees of atmospheric pressure play a major role in the symptoms of arthritis.

After weeks of evaluations and tests my doctor prescribed, Prednisone, a hormone used for the treatment of severe inflammation. It was prescribed to me as a medication to help in the reduction of my pain. At the time, my doctor didn’t explain the side effects that might be associated with such a powerful drug as Prednisone, so you could image my surprise, when after the first month I had gained quite a bit of weight. This was mostly due to the swelling this medication induces.

The weight nonetheless made me very uncomfortable and not very happy. For the first time in my life I was experiencing a weight problem and felt as though I should be doing something about it.

Without jeopardizing my treatment, a friend and I joined a neighborhood Health Spa. After discussing potential health risks with my doctor, husband and several close friends, I decided to go for it. The next day, very excited about the program, we signed up and started immediately. The facility had all the latest equipment, highly trained professionals who conducted various classes that I found very beneficial. Plus they also had a multitude of activities that aided me in my quest for pain relief.

My friend and I went to the health club for weeks, working out religiously, almost daily. I have to admit that in the first stages of our workout I found it to be very difficult and much more painful than I expected. Combined with learning how to use the machines and getting into a routine, I was attempting to move joints and muscles that had become stiff and inflamed for quite sometime.

I started out slowly; working my way up from small, light weights to heavier and more strenuous weights as weeks went by. It was important for me to monitor the amount of pressure applied to the joints and muscles so I wouldn’t cause any extensive damage. We participated in floor activities as well as many of the aerobic and pool exercises. Afterwards, the whirlpools always offered a nice way to relax and smooth out the aches of the day.

As months went by, I started noticing the results of my hard work and committed training.

Once again, I started regaining strength and stamina, feeling better, physically, as well as mentally.

My weight dropped and my self-esteem began to rise. That bloated feeling I had experienced for so long from the medication, magically disappeared. This did wonders for my mental attitude, but I noticed the biggest difference physically. It became much easier to walk, get in and out of chairs and to function efficiently in my daily activities.

In the meantime, my doctor had replaced my Prednisone with a new drug called Penicillamine. It was much stronger than the medication I was taking currently. Penicillamine worked like a charm, eventually putting my arthritis into remission. With this new drug, most of my pain had disappeared, but like the Prednisone before it, Penicillamine also had its side effects I wasn’t aware of.

When I first started taking the medication I noticed a change in the taste of my food. It became bland and flavorless, at the time I didn’t associate this condition with the new medication and I figured whatever it was happening would be temporary. The following week I went to Kansas for my sons wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, but at the reception I remember commenting about the steak being served having no flavor. I actually felt disappointed for my son, because I thought the chef preparing the food just wasn’t a good cook. Once again, associating my lack of taste buds with the new medication never occurred to me.

…to be continued

Even though extreme weight loss is a stupid idea, there continue to be numerous websites that endorse extreme weight loss. Certainly, these websites are marketing an item that promises to support this type of weight loss.

It can be counter productive and unhealthy to lose weight too quickly. Teenage girls who attempt to lose weight by desperate measures like throwing up, overuse of laxatives and forgoing meals will probably end up being bigger than girls who have a lot of fat in their diet.  This is the reason that a lot of overweight adults say that went on diets when they were very young.

Weight loss needs to occur at a rate that is slow, to keep the weight off. Consider this; if you gained a large amount of weight through the years, to lose it in a healthy way, you need to lose weight in a similar way. By gradually changing your eating habits and exercising, weight loss will happen slowly and you will live your life this way instead of hating diets.

A doctor must be included if it becomes medically necessary for quick weight loss. A bariatric operation, for instance will result in extreme weight loss because of the procedure and careful monitoring by a doctor. There are some liquid diet plans that are effective, (Oprah Winfrey was on this diet when she lost weight the first time) however it is difficult to keep the weight off.

As well as not being effective, fast weight loss can cause you to become ill or you could die from it. Perhaps one of the most well known cases recently of extreme weight loss ending up in death was Luther Van dross’ off and on diets and being unsuccessful in managing his ailments that were connect to his weight.

Eventually, it might be a better idea to keep your extra weight than to continuously take part in extreme diets.

You can have one type of emergency kit for dealing with cuts and bruises and another for more serious injuries like broken bones and other major injuries. A simple first aid kit contains a few basic things. A full-blown emergency kit contains all that and more.  If you are caught up in a natural disaster or even if you are just without electricity for a few days, you will want an emergency kit. First, I want to tell you about the basic first aid kit.  Then I will tell you about the emergency kit.  This is a little more involved and at least as important as a good first aid kit.

The First aid Kit

Generally, you will find the same things in most people’s first aid kits.  The things you think are important will probably be pretty much the same as the next person’s. You can pick whatever brand of supplies you prefer for your kit.  You can also determine what quantities you think are appropriate.  It is your first aid kit, and it should suit your needs.

What you should find in every good First Aid Kit:

A Box of Adhesive Bandages – Be sure to have several sizes and shapes for any eventuality.  You want to be able to treat anything from paper cuts to banged up knees. With a variety of types, you can have almost any situation covered.

Micro-Shields – If you need to perform CPR, you will want to protect yourself from germs and illness.  Be sure to have micro-shields on hand for this purpose.

Neosporin or Other Antibiotic Salve – Be sure to have some sort of antibiotic salve to apply to the wound after you have cleaned it and before you apply the bandage. There is a reason to try to take care of a wound safely, and I believe Neosporin is the best to use.

Antiseptic Wipes and Alcohol Pads – This is very worthwhile to sterilize a wound if it happens somewhere where you don’t have access to water to wash with. It may hurt to clean it with alcohol, but at least you will know all the bacteria are dead.

Elastic bandages, gauze & adhesive tape – If you have a large or odd-shaped bandage, you may need something to help secure it in place.

Thermometer – Vital to have on hand when you have to find out if someone has a fever.

Scissors and Tweezers – You need scissors for cutting the supplies, and tweezers to help pick gravel out of wounds. Of course, tweezers can also be utilized to deal with splinters.

Gloves – If you need to help someone who is bleeding or if you need to handle bodily fluids, you will want to have some plastic or latex gloves readily available. You don’t want to take a chance when taking care of somebody’s wound, or end up with blood on you.

Over The Counter Medications – Be sure to have an anti-inflammatory on hand for pain.  Something for indigestion, like Tums, is also a good idea.

Hot Packs & Cold Packs – You never know when you will need to cool down a heat stroke victim or warm up a frostbite victim, so be sure to have hot and cold packs on hand. Because of this, you need to keep both of them in your kits.

An Old Fashioned List of Emergency Numbers – Don’t trust your memory for the phone numbers you need.  You are highly unlikely to remember the number of your doctor’s office, much less the Poison Control Center.  Don’t trust it to a cell phone or other electronic device.  Write a list on paper or cardboard, and put it in your emergency kit. Your contact list should remain in your kit if something happens for you to use them.

The Wild Card – If you have a family member who takes a special medication, be sure to have a dose or two in your first aid kit.  This goes for pets that take special meds, too. Always have a back-up in case of emergencies. This way, if the worst happens, they are able to depend on the kit, which might end up preserving their life.

These ideas are just the beginnings of things you may need in your first aid kit.  They are the bare basics that should be available in any first aid kit.

Thus concludes the list of must-haves for your very own First Aid Kit. But, this doesn’t mean that you can’t put other things in your kit that you think you need, but you should, at minimum, have everything I discussed. Be certain that you have all the necessities to survive an emergency for several days.

The dosage of Fioricet can be modified to suit each patient and medical condition. The physician will closely monitor the patient’s progress and his/her general response to the medication during the whole time he/she is being treated. Drowsiness is a side-effect that is associated with Fioricet. Many patients complain of being sleepy during the day, in which case the Fioricet dosage is decreased. Your physician can provide all the available information regarding Fioricet. You will be told to take it just as soon as you experience the initial sign of a tension headache.

Extreme caution is used when Fioricet is prescribed and medical specialists warn that this medication should not be used for long time periods and in high doses. Dependence can occur and if treatment is stopped suddenly, severe withdrawal symptoms can result. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, it is best to ask your physician to gradually decrease the dosage. If you inquire as to the addiction potential involved with Fioricet, you will definitely be told that this medication should not be ingested in larger quantities or more often than prescribed.

When you are being treated with Fioricet, regular checkups are essential. Let your physician know if you have started taking more than the prescribed dosage and/or if your headaches worsen or occur more frequently. When high doses are consumed, acetaminophen can cause permanent liver damage and an overdose can even be fatal. It is important to keep in mind that the symptoms of acetaminophen overdose may not occur for two days. This problem is serious and requires immediate attention. Yellowing of the skin and extreme nausea are the first indications that one should look for.

Prior to taking the medication, it is in your best interest to let your physician know if you have a history of substance abuse, alcohol addiction or have ever had respiratory disease. You should also mention if you have suffered from depression, liver disease or porphyria.

It is unknown what effect Fioricet will have on a fetus. If you are pregnant, you should not take this medication without discussing it with your physician. It is known that Fioricet passes into breast milk and can harm a baby who is being breastfed.

Fioricet has been established as being an effective remedy for pain that is mild or moderate. As is the case with any medication, be sure to check with your doctor prior to beginning any medication regimens that include Fioricet.

Men often think that sex and intimacy are synonymous. Sex is one expression of intimacy, definitely. However if a male desires to have intimacy, does this mean he wants to have sex? Is sexual intimacy the only intimacy men know about? And even more to the point, is sexual intimacy a way in which men can avoid other types of intimacy?

Of course some males can have intimacy without actually having sex. Additionally, there are men who say they can feel intimacy and don’t need sex. And there are also some men who consider intimacy and sex to be one and the same.

Even though many problems with sex for men happen while they are involved in a relationship, their beliefs and myths about sex are established a long time before a relationship starts. While most would deny it, for men, the idea of male dominance is entwined with their sexuality. Feminists have been talking about how men have abused their power and dominance for a long time. At work and at home, men have been taught to exert control and be aggressive. They have always held the position of power and generally have not wanted to let go of this power.

MEN AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

While women have become more open about what they want from sex, men have found, to their shock and surprise, that they are not as sexually satisfying as they believed. Erectile dysfunction among men has risen significantly over the past 25 years. It is believed by some people that premature ejaculation occurs more often now partially because of women’s recent behavior and morals, but other people have an opinion that men are simply more bold about admitting that they have problems.

For many men, there is a huge gap between what they were taught as they were growing up, and the expectations their sexual partners have of them now. Anxiety and depression can result from this conflict. For some men, trying to assuage this can lead to even further problems such as infidelity.

CHARACTERISTICS AND SOLUTIONS

Not having the ability to reach or hold an erection until sexual activity is finished is the general definition of erectile dysfunction. Impotence is another way to refer to erectile dysfunction. Erectile Dysfunction crosses social boundaries and affects millions of men worldwide. Erectile dysfunction is often caused by underlying prostate health problems. Visiting your physician is a key factor in helping you define the reason for your erectile dysfunction.

A REMEDY FOR IMPOTENCE

Every man will need a treatment for erectile dysfunction that is tailored to his own circumstances. The cause of the problem dictates the solution. Medicine and counseling might be useful to assist a man who is wrestling with a mental inhibition. Sex therapy is suggested in nearly all situations. Sex therapy will usually last for six to 12 weeks, and may be of great benefit.

Often men are prescribed PDE5 inhibitors or similar medicines. These can result in greater blood flow to the penis. Viagra may be considered. Levitra is a newer, more popular drug. Research shows Levitra can increase erection duration for up to 75% of men. A physician is best able to sort out individual treatment needs. A medical exam is advised before you beginning medication.

One would imagine that high-school seniors have other concerns on their minds; however, this one complains that women aren’t perceived as being able to write viruses as well as men. The girl wanted “to make a social point,” though it is not immediately clear exactly what that point might be.

Perhaps that the world of techno-geeks now has its very own Ma Barker?

Not all of the chemicals are excreted from the body. Many of these toxins remain in the body, particularly in organs such as the colon. These chemicals cause our digestion to slow and cause a variety of additional side effects. A natural filtering system is included in our bodies. It’s true that the liver’s function is to eliminate the preservatives from the body, but the liver may be overwhelmed by the number of preservatives consumed. It is quite possible that the liver will become congested if too many toxins are stored in the liver. Liver congestion causes toxic compounds to accumulate in the system. With the passing of each day, toxic compounds build up. Our health starts to be adversely affected by the accumulation of toxins. The body’s capacity to absorb nutrients may even decrease.

Chemicals don’t only impede our digestion or cause arterial blockages. These toxins also open the door for bacterial growth in our body. The colon can be affected by preservatives. The colon may become less efficient at eliminating all the bodily wastes.

Reducing the levels of toxins allows our body to work more efficiently. By getting rid of harmful toxins, we enable our body to devote less energy to the process of digestion. The extra energy enables the more efficient operation of other bodily systems. Concentration increases, other bodily systems function more effectively, and the mind is keener. Soon, you will realize the benefits of detoxification.

The number of chemicals present in our bodies is reduced through detoxification. Allergies and many skin problems may possibly be reduced. Other symptoms, such as pain, coughs, and digestive issues may also disappear. One method of detoxification is to use the Foot Detox Patch, which will naturally eliminate toxins from the body and encourage a stronger immune system. A totally natural combination of vegetable fiber, wood vinegar, chitosan, bamboo vinegar, dokudami, loquat leaf, vitamin c, tourmaline, and dextrin are included in detox pads. Just apply the detox patches to the soles of your feet before you hop into bed and remove the pads when you get up the next morning. When you rise in the morning, you will feel detoxified, invigorated and fresh. The results will be excellent each time you use them.