Archive for July, 2008
July 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Health |
The pain of arthritis affects people differently. Physical sensitivity of the nervous system varies from person to person, as do emotional and social factors that affect how the body processes pain. Anxiety and negative thoughts can trigger the release of chemicals that magnify arthritis pain.
Stress, overworking the body, not sleeping enough, focusing on the pain and feeling depressed can contribute to greater pain. However, pain management strategies, such as low impact exercise, positive thinking, massage therapy, medication, laughing and using heat treatments, can reduce the most chronic pain, helping sufferers to live a relatively enjoyable life.
Arthritic pain may come from inflammation of the tissues that line the joints. Other times, pain comes from muscle, tendons and ligament swelling or strain. Sometimes fatigue and our emotional center affects how we process pain too. To measure arthritis pain, your doctor will ask you a series of questions related to your hurting.
Before you visit your doctor, it may be a good idea to keep a diary of symptoms that appear over a week or two. Write down the intensity, sensations, severity and what you did to ease the aches. You may then undergo a standard physical exam, submit blood or urine samples and get X-rays to determine the damage done. Once the first steps are taken, your doctor will find the best coping skills and medical treatments for your unique case.
Long-term pain relief for arthritis typically involves more advanced medications (compared to your typical Advil or Ibuprofen). Prescription-strength NSAIDs (such as Enbrel and Remicade) or DMARDs (such as Arava, Methotrexate and Penicillamine) can correct deformities and reduce pain. Corticosteroids are a form of hormone therapy that may reduce joint inflammation to stop pain.
Weight reduction, swimming and physical therapy are other pain management treatments that are good for the long haul. In severe patients, joint replacement therapy, removal of the inflamed membrane or joint realignment surgery may be needed to ease the pain.
Coping with arthritis pain can be difficult, as you’re battling depression, frustration, anxiety and stress. It is never easy to accept that you cannot perform every day functions like opening a jar or some of your favorite activities, like riding a bicycle. To break free of your pain cycle, you should meet with other people who suffer to get tips on managing the pain.
You should see your doctor regularly to discuss specially-tailored treatment options, medication and therapies. Eating a healthy diet, getting 8-10 hours of sleep each night, keeping a diary of your pain and staying informed on the latest treatments can be a great asset to you, since there is no absolute arthritis cure.
Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our portal for more great information on managing the pain of arthritis, and leave a comment at our arthritis treatment blog.
July 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Health |
Chemical exposure even if your eye was irrigated at home, the ophthalmologist will probably have your eye irrigated again. The chemical involved and severity of the injury will dictate the treatment. For severe exposures, such as acid or alkali, your pupil may be dilated with special eyedrops, and pain medicine may be prescribed.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage treatment consists of reassurance, avoidance of rubbing the eye, and time.
Numbing eyedrops are often used to examine the eye. Although this removes the pain, they cannot be used at home to control pain. The anesthetic drops actually delay healing. Repeated use will damage the cornea. Dilating the pupil with drops and antibiotic ointments or drops is commonly done.
Depending on your ophthalmologist, an eyepatch may be used. Some ophthalmologists believe that the patch provides symptomatic relief and speeds healing. Others believe that the increased risk of infection with a patch, particularly in people who wear contact lenses, outweighs the potential benefits.
Traumatic iritis eyedrops are used to dilate the pupil. Steroid eyedrops may be helpful to decrease inflammation.
Hyphema people with significant hyphemas may be hospitalized and placed on bedrest with their head elevated. A protective metal shield may be placed over the eye, and the pupil is dilated with drops. People who will follow the ophthalmologist’s instructions with small hyphemas may be managed at home.
Orbital blowout fractures ice and elevation of the head for 48 hours are recommended to reduce swelling. You are advised not to blow your nose. Some ophthalmologists use nasal decongestants and oral antibiotics for 1-2 weeks. If any surgical repair is needed, it is usually done 1-2 weeks later when the swelling has gone down.
Lacerations depending on the size and location of the laceration, suturing (stitches) may be necessary. If the cut is in a noncritical location, the laceration may be left to heal on its own. Lacerations to the eyeball often require sutures and more extensive surgery.
Chemical exposure follow-up depends on the severity of the injury.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage no follow-up is usually necessary.
Corneal abrasion small abrasions in people who do not wear contact lenses need follow-up if their symptoms have not gone away in 24 hours or if they recur. Large abrasions and abrasions in people who do wear contact lenses will need to be closely monitored by an ophthalmologist to assess healing.
Traumatic iritis reevaluation in several days with an ophthalmologist is recommended.
Hyphema such cases are best managed by an ophthalmologist. If you have not been hospitalized, follow-up is often performed the next day.
Orbital blowout fractures outpatient follow-up occurs several days to a week after the injury.
Lacerations follow-up depends on the nature and extent of the injury. In wounds thought to be at high risk for infection, a wound check may be done 24-48 hours after the injury. Skin suture removal is often performed 5 days after a lid laceration. However, if the eyelid margin has been repaired, those sutures may be left in longer (10-14 days). Eyeball lacerations will need to be closely monitored by an ophthalmologist.
Foreign bodies corneal foreign bodies that were not embedded or cleanly removed by an ophthalmologist can have follow-up as needed. If a rust stain is present, follow-up with an ophthalmologist in 1-2 days is needed for removal. Deep foreign bodies of the orbit or globe of the eye require follow-up based on the severity of the injury.
Light-induced injury ultraviolet keratitis in a people who do not wear contact lenses needs follow-up if symptoms continue beyond 24 hours. People who do wear contact lenses should have follow-up until healing is complete. Contact lenses should not be worn until cleared to do so by the ophthalmologist. Solar retinopathy requires periodic follow-up with an ophthalmologist.
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July 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Health |
As with any medical condition, the history is very important. How the injury occurred will often help the ophthalmologist focus the examination. Your vision will be checked, so bring your glasses to the office visit. The ophthalmologist is interested in your best vision possible.
To check for injuries to the cornea, the ophthalmologist uses a special dye or stain in your eye, called fluorescein, which stains those areas of the cornea that have been damaged. When a blue light is shone over the eye, corneal abrasions turn green.
A device called a slit lamp is often used as well. A slit lamp is essentially a special microscope to look more closely at your eye.
X-rays are rarely used, except if an intraocular or intraorbital foreign body is suspected. Corneal foreign bodies do not require x-rays.
Chemical exposures the single most important thing to do for chemical exposures is to immediately wash out the eye with great amounts of water. Although saline solution is best, regular tap water is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Particularly, for more serious burning materials, such as acid or alkali, time is of the essence. The affected eye should be washed for 20 minutes or more. It is important that you keep your eyelids open during the irrigation process.
How it is done is less important than getting it done with great amounts of water.
A water fountain makes a great eye wash. Just lean over the fountain, turn on the water, and keep your eye open.
At a sink, stand over the sink, cup your hands, and put your face into the running water.
If you are near a shower, get in and put your eye under the running water. This is a good option if you have been sprayed with a chemical in the face and hair.
Hold a glass of water to your eye and tip your head back. Do this many times.
If you are working outside, a garden hose running at a very modest flow will work.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage minimal treatment is needed. Avoid further trauma to the eye, such as rubbing. This injury will heal with time.
Corneal abrasions little can be done at home for corneal abrasions. People who wear contact lenses should avoid using their lenses until evaluated by an ophthalmologist. You should seek medical care promptly.
Traumatic iritis some people become very light sensitive, and sunglasses may help until treatment is begun.
Hyphema keep your head elevated. Do not lie flat. Keep quiet with minimal activity until you are seen by an ophthalmologist. Do not take aspirin for any pain, because this will increase the risk of bleeding. You should seek medical care promptly.
Orbital blowout fractures keep your head elevated, and apply ice to your face to reduce swelling. Do not take aspirin for any pain, because this will increase the risk of bleeding.
Lid lacerations you should seek immediate medical care. Do not attempt to put anything directly on the eyeball. Do not take aspirin for any pain, because this will increase the risk of bleeding.
Lacerations to the eyeball protect your eye, and do not put any pressure on your eye. You should seek immediate medical attention.
Foreign bodies gentle flushing with water will often dislodge foreign bodies that have not embedded themselves in the cornea. Do not try to rub or wipe off foreign bodies with a tissue, a Q-Tip, or anything else. Doing so will usually not remove an embedded foreign object and will result in a corneal abrasion that may be more painful than the foreign body itself. Intraocular and intraorbital foreign bodies cannot be treated at home.
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