Sprains & Strains
If you play sports or are physically active, you may be familiar
with sprains (stretched or torn ligaments)and strains (stretched or torn
muscles or tendons). While both cause
swelling and inflammation, sprains give bruises, and strains trigger muscle
spasms. The RICE method is a popular
method for treatment—rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may give
relieve, but see a doctor if you suffer numbness or tingling, or can’t move a
joint, or it isn’t better in a week.
Tension Headache
This kind of headache can feel like a band is tightening
around your head. Take OTC painkillers,
rest and drink water to relieve. The headache
should go away within a couple hours, but could last a couple days. Lots of rest, massage, lessen stress, and
plenty of fluids (no caffeine) can help avoid these headaches.
Migraine
Throbbing pain on front or side of head can put a hold on
daily activities, leaving you sick and sensitive to light as well as other
symptoms. A dark, quiet spot to rest
with an ice pack to numb pain, or a heating pad may relax tense muscles. OTC medications may help if you catch it
early on. Some people may require a
prescription to treat or prevent migraines.
Toothache
Tooth decay, cracked teeth, broken fillings, and gum disease
are some causes of toothaches. You may
not like going to a dentist, but it lasts more than a couple days, it may be
time to go. If not taken care of, the
inflamed area could lead to infection and cause bigger problems. Tooth pain can be sign of a sinus infection,
or a problem with the joint where the jaw meets the skull (TMJ), or grinding of
the teeth when sleeping.
Neck Pain
Less protected than the spine, the neck is vulnerable to
sprains and strains. Although usually
temporary, you may not need a doctor. Regular
wear and tear—disks breaking down—can hurt.
Keep good posture to prevent pain.
Back Pain
Back pain becomes common as you get older. Back pain is usually dull or sharp and can
last months. Obesity and lifting the
wrong way can be a cause. Diseases like
arthritis and cancer can also affect your back and spine, not to mention genes
can play a role. Treatment for back pain
can be OTC medications, hot/cold packs, exercise, yoga or massage.
Frozen Shoulder
While the pain usually worse at night when lying on the
painful side, simple everyday tasks can be a problem too. The shoulder can become stiff at the point
you can’t move it. Exercises and
physical therapy may improve range of motion.
This can happen to people between 40 and 60, and women and people with
diabetes are more likely to have this problem.
Tendinitis and
Bursitis
This is swelling around the muscle or bone that is brought
on by overuse or injury to the joint—like the ankle, elbow, knee, hip, shoulder
or wrist. It can be treated by the RICE
method, mentioned earlier, but call your doctor if pain or swelling is bad or
gets worse, or you have redness or warmth.
Arthritis
The leading cause of disability in America, this is a group
of more than 100 diseases that cause joint pain. Symptoms, although it may come and go, can be
swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited motion.
It could also be a result of wear and tear or inflammation triggered by
the immune system. While it can’t be
cured, arthritis can be eased by managing the condition with a doctor’s help.
Stomachache
There can be lots of reasons for stomachache—indigestion,
gas or constipation. OTC medicines can
help an upset stomach feel better until it passes, but call a doctor if the
pain becomes sudden or severe, or lasts for days, are vomiting blood, have
bloody stool or other unusual symptoms.
Sciatica
A shooting pain that makes sitting or standing
uncomfortable, you may feel weak, numb, with a burning or tingling in the
leg. This is not a cramp, but a pinched
nerve in the lower back, and sneezing and coughing can make the pain sharper. Sciatica usually goes away within a few weeks
with rest and gentle exercise, but you should consult a doctor. People between 30 and 50 are usually prone to
sciatica.
Nerve Pain
Tingling, burning, numbness and weakness can be a problem
with the nerves. People with diabetes
that is uncontrolled can get nerve damage in the feet, hands, arms, and
legs. Shingles—a painful rash caused by
the chickenpox virus—may lead to nerve pain.
The organs can be affected, giving you problems with digestion or
urination. Medications, physical therapy
and eating a well-balanced diet can help with nerve pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Keyboard overuse has not been proven to be the fault for
this leading nerve disorder, but pecking at the keys may make tingling and
numbness in the fingers worse if there is already a pinched nerve. Resting and avoiding bending or twisting the
wrist for a couple of weeks is best. Yoga
or physical therapy can also help. Some medicines
may reduce swelling and ease symptoms.
Sore, Swollen Feet
Rest and elevating the feet is best for this condition. If you put ice on your feet, do it for 15-20
minutes at a time. If your daily job
requires you to stand on your feet, compression stockings and shoes with a good
support and taking proper breaks can help ease sore, swollen feet. Women and people with flat feet or high
arches are prone to plantar fasciitis—makes the bottom of the feet hurt. Stretching the feet is good. Call your doctor if pain is bad or you have
no idea why your feet ache.
