Archive for February 2010
How To Deal With The Pain Of Sciatica
If you’ve been around anyone With sciatica, you know it’s a painful form of back pain.
Sciatica is a pain in the leg arising from compression of the sciatic nerve which runs from the spine down the legs to the feet and is often caused by a herniated disc. If you’ve ever gone to the doctor With a sore back, the first thing they will ask you is if you have and pain or numbness in your leg.
Fortunately, between 80 to 90 percent of people with sciatica get better without having to have surgery.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica has been described as having a burning or tingling feeling or like having a small electrical shock. The pain can run from your buttock, down the back of your Thighs. Everyday activities like sitting or even coughing can be very painful.
Pay close attention to the numbness in your legs. If it persists or if you lose control of your bowels, then go and see a doctor. This could be a sign of a rare condition called cauda equine which needs immediate surgery.
The good news is that sciatica is mainly an inflammation that eventually dies down. Recovery can be in as little as two week but it could also take a few months. Paralysis is not a factor with sciatica.
The causes of sciatica
Sciatica is usually not the result of any accident or fall. Instead, it’s normally just caused by wear and tear on our back. That’s why 30-50 year olds are the ones for whom it is most common.
As we get older, the intervertebral discs of our spine experience degeneration and from that a herniated disc can occur. With a herniated disc, the disk protrudes pushing against the nerve in the lower back. There is a misperception that sciatica is a deadened nerve but it is simply the compression of the nerve.
How can sciatica be treated?
The first priority is to alleviate the pain. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen to help calm the inflammation, but full pain relief could take a few days and may involve bed rest.
Treatment for sciatica can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment involves stretching and exercising. Be sure to keep as active as possible since this helps the recovery but be careful about what exercises you do. Walking and jogging have been cited as sports that may cause sciatica.
Sciatica surgery is common and the objective is to remove the source of the nerve irritation. Over 90% of sciatica operations are successful.
Frank Thornton
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/how-to-deal-with-the-pain-of-sciatica-119611.html
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Prescription Medication For Back Pain Relief
Many a times, you will find that the ordinary salesperson at the drug stores is as knowledgeable as the professionally qualified medical assistant. He goes through numerous prescriptions of the medical practitioners brought to the shop by the patients, and updates his day to day knowledge.
A good number of sales personnel from different drug manufacturing companies also visit the drug stores to add further to their knowledge bank. Prescription medicines are part of the life of the ever suffering humanity, with one ailment or the other.
Basically, there are two types of drugs. Over the counter drugs and prescription drugs. The distinction between the two is that of procedure and law. Over the counter medications are free for sale over the chemist’s counter. While the prescription drugs can be sold only as per the direction of a registered qualified medical practitioner.
back pain medication is not the one that you can treat with the over the counter medications only. This is because the types and conditions of Back pains are complicating. Self-medication for complicated diseases is fraught with danger.
So prescription medicines seem a way towards life. Your doctor is your friend. Follow your friend’s advice with heart. Don’t recognize your medicinal pills by their color only. Know their qualities. Question your doctor unhesitatingly about the contents of the medicine and about the ideas behind his prescribing this medicine to you!
You need to know how long the medication would be necessary and about the possible side-effects. Take proper instructions about your diet when you take the drugs prescribed by him. Don’t leave any confusion, in your mind and clear your doubts. Let the doctor know, how intelligent his patient is.
Some prescription medications demand thorough independence. They do not interact well with other drugs. The effect of one particular drug could be on a particular line whereas the other drug may react on your disease in a different manner. So tell all your details and previous medical history to your doctor.
If you have any problem with the dosage or if you had any problem with the prescribed drug in the past, it is your duty to bring it to the knowledge of the doctor. You are helping your cause by updating him everything about you.
Once this is done, follow the directions of your physician vary carefully. Don’t club your ideas with his facts.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/prescription-medication-for-Back-Pain-Relief-67306.html
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The Possible Causes of Right Side Back Pain
Back pain is common among adults and it can lead to serious back problems if left untreated. The large majority of upper and lower back pain is caused by muscle strain, and will take care of itself over a period of time with the help of over the counter medications or other natural remedies.
Right side back pain, however, may have other Causes, which may warrant a visit to the doctor for a definitive diagnosis and effective treatment plan. It is important to understand what some of the Causes of right side back pain might be.
The Possibility of Infection
If you are experiencing pain on the right side of your body that begins as a dull ache and gradually increases in intensity, and is accompanied by other symptoms like fever and nausea, you may have a urinary tract infection. Other symptoms of an infection may include a burning sensation while urinating or a constant pressure in the bladder.
If you suspect that the reason for your right side back pain might be a urinary tract infection, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. He or she can do a urine test to determine whether you do indeed have an infection, and prescribe Medication if necessary.
It Could Be a Hernia
A hernia could be another reason for your right side back pain, especially if the pain is localized to the lower back area. Although a hernia is not a life-threatening condition, it does require treatment by a doctor to avoid possible complications and further pain.
In many cases, the best course of action for a hernia is surgery. The good news is that by repairing the hernia, you will be able to get rid of your right side back pain once and for all.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is another condition that can cause right side back pain. This type of pain is generally more widespread, and may include other symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea and fatigue. Irritable bowel syndrome can be treated through a high fiber diet and an increased intake of liquids.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications or other types of treatment to care for your irritable bowel syndrome. If you get this potentially painful condition under control through these methods, you should notice a significant reduction in the pain on the right side of your back as well.
There are a number of reasons why you could be experiencing right side back pain. That is why it is a good idea to see your doctor about your back pain so that you can get an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!
Brue Baker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-possible-Causes-of-right-side-back-pain-471779.html
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Avoid Open Back Surgery
Many people undergo open Back Surgery for different kinds of Back problems. The November 2007 issue of Consumer reports states that back surgery was the most overtreated procedure. Did you know that fifty per cent of back surgeries fail after the first year and seventy per cent after the second? Back surgery has its risks of anesthsia, and scar tissue formation hitting the nerves which can cause severe pain.
Ask yourself before considering surgery what about the recupperation time, healing time (which can take up to a year), lost wages, and missing out on activities. Down the road you might have to have a second surgery.
There is a natural alternative called spinal decompression rehabilatation. This is a FDA cleared procedure which has a hig success rate. It is for people with herniated discs, prolapsed or bulging discs, sciatica, chronic back pain, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery. The person lies down or face up on massage like table fully clothed. Many people fall asleep during treatment. A gentle stretch is applied to the spine to allow nutrient rich fluids such as oxygen and water into the disc to hydrate and heal it. This allows the jelly portion of the disc to go back into its central location. If you think of the disc as a jelly donut and in the center of the donut is the jelly. When the jelly oozes out into the cake portion of the donut it can cause pain and the disc is compressed. What the decompression machine does is act as a vaccum and targets that disc and allows the oozing jelly from the cake portion to be sucked back into the discs central location and opens up the area.
Cold laser therapy which is a FDA cleared modality is an excellent companion with spinal decompression. Cold laser is a light that helps relax the muscle. Both of these procedures are non-invasive an an excellent alternative to surgery.
Dr. H. Carol Sanders-Shochat
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/avoid-open-back-surgery-420543.html
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Switch Over To Natural Back Pain Relief Options And Get Cured Forever
The poet says:
“Half the cure goes to the knowledgeable Doctor’s medical research,
And half to her magical touch!”
There is a deep meaning in what the poet says. It is the mind over the matter theory. It is the victory of the will power over the gross! It is the victory of love over all other things! And your Back pain is a trifle, before the all-conquering power of the spirit, which always energizes you! If only you are able to understand the power of the Nature- all these pains would have to run down the drain!
Do you think that I am carrying you emotionally? No! I only wish to give you certain practical, life-saving hints!
These hard pain killers have ruined the health of the era! Any hard medication for the back pain is bad. The pain needs to make its exit in the most Natural way. Then only you will get permanent relief.
You can go back to the Vioxx controversy for this. 20 million Americans gulped Vioxx, a pain medication, prescribed by competent surgeons and medical practitioners of USA, before its heart-attacking qualities were detected by further research! It was subsequently withdrawn from the racks of the medical stores and hospitals. Apart from many other law suits, a marathon runner, aged 59, got the damages worth $253.4 million, against the drug-manufacturing company.
Then what about numerous other over-the-counter painkillers? Same could be their story. Surrender to the Nature! Surrender to Yoga Asanas and Pranayama if you wish to have natural back pain relief. Depend upon the famous oil massages prescribed in the ancient texts of India, authored by enlightened Sages! Your body is always willing to co-operate with you if you understand the way it functions!
Now, the American researchers too have found! The power of the Nature! The bark of the white willow tree has the properties to cure pain and take on fevers. The salaicin in the willow and human body converts it into salicylic acid. It is popularly now termed as herbal aspirin.
There are many such popular herbs. Go through any standard text on Ayurveda, the science of Natural healing and you will understand the systems of closing your pain-chapter for ever!
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/switch-over-to-natural-back-pain-relief-options-and-get-cured-forever-55539.html
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