Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Conventional treatment advocates pain relief medications, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) or narcotics like Percocet. Diuretics are also sometimes prescribed for prevention of calcium oxalate stone formation. Besides medication, lithotripsy is an ultrasound treatment that breaks the stones into pieces that are small enough to pass in the urine. This procedure has largely replaced surgery as the preferred method for stone removal. (Note: If you're going to get surgery, it might be worth it to try acupuncture. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
 Other mediations such as tramadol, propoxyphene, and codeine may be used for pain relief, but have sedating and constipating side effects and can be addictive; however, they do not cause gastric side effects. Cox 2 inhibitors such as celecoxib have less gastric risk but have known risks of increasing cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks. Joint injections with steroids are an effective short-term therapy. If all else fails, surgery, such as joint replacement surgery or osteotomy, which realigns the bones to reduce wear and pain, can be performed. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
See book keywords and concepts |
 By blocking the calcium channel, there will be a depletion of substance P in the sensory nerves and loss of pain (Appendino, 1997; Biro, 1997; Fusco & Giacovazzo, 1997; Jung, 1999).
The pain relief observed with topical capsaicin is unlike # anesthetics in that pain is blocked without effects on other sensations, such as touch and vibration (Bernstein et al, 1989; Fitzgerald, 1983).
The degeneration of epidermal nerve fibers contributes to the analgesia accredited to capsaicin. |
| VAS pain relief scale used by patients. Based on this study, capsaicin cream is effective in some patients with diabetic neuropathy but burning is a frequent side effect which may lead to treatment discontinuation (Anon, 1991).
The efficacy of topical capsaicin was determined in 22 patients with chronic, severe painful diabetic neuropathy over an 8-week study period in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Significant improvement was seen with capsaicin 0. |
| Unproven Uses: Willow Herb fever, rheumatic complaints, headache, and general pain relief. precautions and adverse reactions
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. dosage
Mode of Administration: The drug is not available as a ready made medicinal preparation; only as a tea, watery extract or as a vegetable. literature
Ducrey B et al., Inhibition of 5aIpha-Reduktase and aromatase by ellagitannins oenothein A and eonothein B from Epilobium species. In: PM 63(2): 111-114. 1997. |
| Capsaicin appears useful as an adjunct to standard therapy to increase pain relief at a limited number of joints with intense pain (Deal et al, 1991).
Chilblains
Ten adult patients with chilblains, also known as perniosis, had complete healing of all lesions after 10 days of treatment with capsaicin. All patients were in the edematous, erythematous phase of chilblains. Few therapies have been effective for treating chilblains; therefore, capsaicin, if effective in larger, controlled studies, would be a useful new therapy for this condition. |
| Patients who received capsaicin in the first 8 weeks maintained their level of pain relief during the placebo period (Ellison et al, 1997). teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity yielded contradictory results. indications and usage
Approved by Commission E:
¦ Muscular tensions
¦ Rheumatism
Unproven Uses: Cayenne is used for painful muscle spasms in areas of shoulder, arm, and spine. In folk medicine the herb is used for frostbite, chronic lumbago, and as a gargle for hoarseness, sore throats, and infected throats. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Using both together can reduce pain and promote joint healing in arthritis—with pain relief benefits rivaling those of the NSAIDs, without those drugs' liabilities.
In the biggest study on the subject, a $12.5 million study performed by the National Institutes of Health, 67 percent of 1,583 participants who took both glucosamine (1,500 mg) and chondroitin (1,200 mg) daily had reduced pain. (Keep in mind that 60 percent of the participants who took a placebo also reported a reduction in pain—a testament to the power of the placebo effect! |
| Younger people tended to have more noticeable pain relief than older people. Only twenty-nine people (11.6 percent) reported adverse effects that could possibly be attributed to the medication, including digestive upset, nausea, vomiting, and allergic rash.
Dose: Take 60 mg daily.
EXERCISE: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN
Of course, anyone with arthritis should be engaged in regular exercise. It's very common for an arthritic joint to become worse for lack of movement as muscles weaken and the joint becomes less and less stable. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Peppers for pain relief?
The active ingredient, capsaicin, produces a feeling of warmth when applied to the skin. It depletes substance P, a chemical that transmits pain messages to the brain. Because of that, capsaicin is a frequent ingredient in pain-relieving creams. Capsaicin is a vasodilator, which enhances circulation and increases body temperature. Hot peppers (and their powders) may act as a metabolism booster—in one study (on mice), the active ingredient promoted energy metabolism and suppressed body fat accumulation. |
| The medicinal properties of cloves reside in the volatile oil, the same one that brought pain relief to Hoffman's character in the movie. Cloves have long been used as an effective toothache remedy.
A clove is actually the dried, unopened flower bud of a type of tree that originated in the Spice Islands (Indonesia). Cloves look like tiny little nails, which is actually what their name comes from (clavus, which in Latin means "nail"). In Asian medicine, cloves are thought to be among the spices that promote energy circulation and increase the metabolic rate. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Nitroglycerin is converted to nitric oxide, which opens the heart's arteries to allow blood to flow through, which gives you pain relief. Only nitroglycerine selectively dilates the arteries near the heart instead of the ones further south. Nitroglycerin and Viagra are dangerous together because there's too much dilation and low blood pressure. That can cause you to faint or to have heart problems. |
| The epilepsy and pain relief drug gabapentin has been shown to ease both the severity and the frequency of hot flashes by almost 50 percent. It may be the new best thing other than estrogen for the flush. Also, a class of antidepressant drugs called SSRIs has been shown to reduce symptoms by 60 percent, as have alpha blockers such as clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure). All have side effects that many consider more problematic than estrogens, but some women prefer these choices. We do not recommend clonidine because of the risk of rebound hypertension if it's abruptly discontinued. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| The antiinflammatory action of castor oil acts as pain relief.
HOMEOPATHY
>
3D -<
—I
DO >
^^^k Any of the following homeopathic remedies can be helpful in easing a recent, mild to moderate bladder infection. The homeopathic \X^# approach can be used as a first choice of treatment or as a ^^^^ complementary therapy to conventional medicine. For homeopathic treatment to be most effective, it should be combined with naturopathic measures such as increasing your fluid intake. If problems with UTIs are chronic, seek professional homeopathic support. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
See book keywords and concepts |
 This practice, which dates back at least two thousand years, induces a rush of blood to the stung area, producing a counterirritation that reduces inflammation and provides temporary pain relief. Urtication energizes the nerves, muscles, capillaries, and local lymphatic system and causes the body to secrete antihistamines. It can help relieve the pain of arthritis, coldness in the extremities, gout, lumbago, muscular weakness, multiple sclerosis, neuritis, palsy, rheumatism, sciatica, and tendonitis (chronic). |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| Take 1-2 g of ginger, or 2 ml of tincture, three times a day for its anti-inflammatory benefits and pain relief.
Hydrotherapy: Soak in a hot bath with epsom salts or mineral salts for at least 20 minutes. The minerals will replenish the body's mineral stores and provide relief.
J HOMEOPATHY
The tips given below may be helpful for relieving the odd, occasional twinge of mild osteoarthritis. Long-term and severe problems that arise as a result of an established case of rheumatoid or osteoarthritis are best treated by an experienced homeopathic practitioner. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 CHAPTER 1 7
Rest and Sleep
Sleep is essential to pain relief. It makes both physical and emotional stresses hurt less. Researchers have found that sleep deprivation can measurably reduce your pain resistance, bringing on pain, tenderness, and fatigue not unlike fibromyalgia.1'2
You can do several things to get a good night's sleep.
• Sugar can help you sleep. While sugar is not health food by any stretch of the imagination, it can help you sleep. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| Hydrotherapy: Hot and cold water can be used to improve blood flow and provide pain relief. Submerge the affected hand and wrist in hot water for 3 minutes then in cold for 30 seconds. Repeat this sequence three times.
TIP: TAKE BREAKS FROM REPETITIVE ACTIONS
When working on a computer, take breaks every 30-60 minutes. Also use a wrist rest when typing.
HOMEOPATHY
The following homeopathic remedies, when used appropriately, can be very effective in treating mild or intermittent symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. |
| Willow: The bark of this tree is popular for its pain-relieving qualities, and the same constituent responsible for the pain relief also dissolves skin growths. Boil 25-30 g of dried willow bark in strips or chunks in 4 cups of water for 10 minutes, making sure that the water does not evaporate and leave the pan dry. Once it has cooled, apply it to the corn, holding the willow in place with a cloth or gauze for 10 minutes several times a day. Avoid contact with the skin around the corn as the salicylates in the bark can irritate unaffected areas. |
Bottom Line Health
See book keywords and concepts |
| All were prescribed an NSAID for pain relief, and all were considered at high risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Among patients who had one or more risk factor, only approximately 27% were prescribed an NSAID prescription strategy aimed at reducing the risk of bleeding. Among patients who had at least two risk factors, close to 40% were prescribed a safer NSAID strategy, while approximately 42% of the patients who had three risk factors received this benefit. |
| Often, a "cocktail" of medications, instead of just one type, provides the best pain relief. For each medication prescribed, ask the doctor how soon it will begin working and what side effects you can expect.
Example: Some pain relievers can cause constipation.
Make a follow-up appointment before leaving the office. You may need frequent visits while your medications are being adjusted. Once your pain is controlled, you will probably need to see your doctor less often. Prepare a new pain inventory before each visit. |
| To prevent addiction, first try to achieve pain relief through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If these aren't effective or if they cause stomach bleeding or other side effects...
•Ask your doctor about other non-opioid drugs that help pain. Many antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), are effective at very low doses. The anticonvulsant gabapentin (Neurontin) works for nerve pain. These drugs are not addictive.
•Try some pain-relief therapies, such as acupuncture and biofeedback. |
| Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center say that the ultraviolet (UV) light in tanning beds appears to trigger the production of endorphins, brain chemicals that are linked to pain relief and euphoric feelings.
THE STUDY
The study compared eight people who used tanning beds often (eight to 15 times per month) with eight people who used them infrequently (no more than 12 times per year).
All of the participants were given either a placebo or the drug naltrexone, which blocks the feel-good effects of endorphins and other opioids. |
| These prescriptions involved methotrexate (a cancer drug) that was prescribed along with nonsteroidalanti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDs) or ketorolac (for pain relief) that was also prescribed along with other NSAIDs.
IMPROVEMENTS
More precise wording on the warning labels may help make people more aware of the potential risks, the researchers say.
The study authors also recommend that the FDA establish and maintain a list of current black-box warning medications, as well as illnesses and conditions that may be adversely affected by these drugs. |
| Arnica, a homeopathic preparation that uses an ultra-diluted amount of the herb to stimulate pain relief. It is particularly effective at alleviating the soreness and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Typical dose: Follow label directions. Taken orally, in a 6X dilution, use three to four times a day.. .or in the stronger 30C dilution, once or twice daily. Arnica can be applied topically (as a cream or tincture) over the painful joint and covered with a heating pad.
•Black cohosh, a perennial herb native to North America. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
See book keywords and concepts |
| Caplets, Bayer Select Maximum Strength Night Time pain relief Caplets, Sominex pain relief, Bufferin AF Nite Time Caplets, Excedrin P.M., Unisom with pain relief, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Sominex Caplets, Twilite, Compoz Gel Caps, Dormin, Maximum Strength Sleepinal Capsules and Soft Gels, Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nighttime Pamprin)
Doxylamine (Unisom Nighttime)
What Do They Do in the Body?
These drugs contain antihistamines, which cause sleepiness. Some contain pain relievers to help those in pain to sleep.
What Are They Used For? Relief of insomnia and/or pain. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| However, this reticence probably does more harm than good. When pain relief is inadequate, the patient's anxiety increases, and he or she is forced to ask for more medications, setting the stage for power struggles between the patient and the hospital staff.2 The use of narcotics can be reduced with steps that help prevent crises, and the use of adjuvant nonnarcotic pain medicines and antidepressants for pain control.
*Anopheles mosquitoes transmit the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum to humans. It enters the red blood cells, causing malaria. |
| EXERCISE BLOCKS OUT PAIN
People who exercise frequently (six hours or more per week) have dramatically better resistance to pain than other people.1 The pain relief comes from endorphins, natural painkillers that are made in the pituitary gland at the base of your brain. They work within the brain and nerves themselves and are also released into your bloodstream. |
| They do not make the nerves function better, however, and many people get only moderate pain relief, or even none at all. This is where foods come in.
The fact is, by choosing the right foods and adding a simple exercise program, the pain often goes away completely. In fact, diabetes itself can go away in many cases, or at least improve dramatically.
Many researchers have been looking at how foods can help in diabetes. Milton Crane, M.D., focused on the pain symptoms in an important study in Weimar, California. |
Benjamin H. Natelson, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 If there is minimal pain relief or if the patient reports feeling too drugged, I stop these drugs and move on to long-acting opiates—either methadone, a drug called MS-Contin, or an opiate pain patch (Duragesic). While the majority of women with widespread pain don't require step 4, there is clearly a need for opiates for some patients with chronic pain. However, opiates are famously habit-forming for a reason, and I don't prescribe them without first establishing what I call a "therapeutic alliance" with my patient. |
Email this page to a friend
