Category: Body Code

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PAIN – PAIN, GO AWAY!

Everyone complains of pain from time to time, whether it’s a headache, a sprain or something more serious due to surgery or a chronic illness. But what exactly is pain?

It is described as “physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury”.  It is synonymous with suffering, agony, affliction, torture, torment, discomfort or soreness.

Everyone has their own level of pain they are able to endure at any given time. Pain levels, however, are subjective and everyone interprets them differently. Pain is measured on a scale of 0-10 with 0 being no pain, and 10 being the worst pain you’ve ever experienced.

Since everyone has their own perception of the severity of pain, the way they deal with it varies as well.  Treatments can vary from a cold or hot compress to some peppermint oil, and from 2 Advil to something stronger that has been physician prescribed.

Prescription pain meds such as oxycodone (Oxycontin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin) are in a class of drugs known as opioids. They’re typically used to treat severe pain after surgery, and sometimes to treat chronic pain. Although these drugs have benefits for a narrow margin of the population, they come with many risks factors as well, including addiction.  

Risks and benefits

  • Opioids are powerful pain medications that block messages of pain to the brain, as well as decrease the body’s perception of discomfort.
  • Opioids can create a feeling of euphoria.
  • They can be useful for a short time following a surgery.
  • Some side effects include nausea, itching, drowsiness or constipation.
  • They can be used for long term illnesses, such as cancer.
  • Long term pain relief is debatable because pain relief is not sustained.
  • More serios side effects include bowel distention, falls, delayed reaction time and slow breathing.

It has been determined that taking opioids for four weeks or longer can put you at risk for dependence and sometimes for addiction. Being dependent on opioids means your brain has become accustomed to having them.  When you stop taking opioids, however, it may cause withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or depression. Addiction is different though and considered a mental health disorder characterized by compulsive use and preoccupation with the drug.

Symptoms of Opioid addiction:

  • Sudden changes in weight
  • Withdrawing from activities/obligations
  • Mood swings – aggression or irritability
  • Lethargy or fatigue
  • Depression
  • Changes in social circles
  • Insomnia – difficulty sleeping
  • Financial difficulties
  • Lying and/or stealing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Red eyes OR pinned pupils
  • Sweating
  • Cravings for OR unable to stop taking opioids
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms – as listed above

Is this medication right for you?

You’ve read the benefits and risks, as well as the symptoms of addiction to opioids.  Due to the recent addiction epidemic, thankfully, many changes have been made in the screening process prior to prescribing opioids to patients.  But, please be aware of the facts and statistics:

Staggering statistics regarding opioids:

Statistics from the CDC, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the United States (US) Department of Health and Human Services reveal the serious nature of the problem. 

1. In 2016, health care providers across the US wrote more than 214 million prescriptions for opioid pain medication—a rate of 66.5 prescriptions per 100 people.

2. As many as 1 in 5 people receive prescription opioids long-term for non-cancer pain in primary care settings.

3. More than 11 million people abused prescription opioids in 2016.

4. Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

5. More than 40% of all US opioid overdose deaths in 2016 involved a prescription opioid.

6. Drug overdoses claimed the lives of nearly 64,000 Americans in 2016. Nearly two-thirds of these deaths (66%) involved a prescription or illicit opioid. 

7. The CDC estimates the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse in the US is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of health care, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

Do you know someone who is struggling with a significant pain problem? Encourage them to talk to a health care professional about safe ways to manage it.  A few alternative options may include, but are not limited to:

  • Massage
  • Energy work – The Emotion Code, Reiki, Pranic Healing
  • Essential Oils
  • Physical Therapy
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Sound Healing
  • Hypnotherapy

Many of these techniques have been used for thousands of years to manage health and wellness with great success and without any side effects.  Noted improvement can be made in overall well-being to include pain relief, mobility, sleep quality, stress level, self-awareness and self-confidence. It appears that healing the body from the inside out and at the root cause of the problem has many long-term and long-lasting benefits that go way beyond just the physical that are worth looking into.

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GETTING FIT FOR TWO

Exercising during pregnancy benefits you and your baby

By Dr. Raul Artal

 

Through every stage of pregnancy, your health matters.  For the longest time, there was a generational gap of knowledge in the medical profession about what is and isn’t healthy for expecting mothers.  The old train of thought that she should rest as much as possible and eat whatever she desires is wrong.

Over the years, pregnancy has become a major contributor to the obesity epidemic in this country, without exception.  The additional weight gain is detrimental to both mother and child, especially for those who were already overweight or obese before pregnancy.  The added weight can lead to birth defects in their child, gestational diabetes and hypertension.

But this newer generation of doctors is introducing an era of fitness for expecting mothers.  There are few reasons that behavioral modification can’t start during pregnancy.  Depending on your level of activity prior to pregnancy, simply developing a walking regimen can be highly beneficial.  In the absence of a pre-existing condition (check with your obstetrician), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

Early on in the pregnancy, work on your core and back muscles.  Strengthening those muscles helps mothers control the additional weight and body changes of late-term pregnancy.  It can also help cope with labor pains.  But it’s important to always be aware of and listen to your body.  It’s changing, and you have to be aware of those changes at all times to avoid complications.  Early on in the pregnancy, the fetus is forming organs.  It’s imperative that mothers maintain the body’s core temperature – keeping it under 102 degrees Fahrenheit – or risk serious injury to the baby.  So, it’s best to avoid activities that will overheat the body like marathon running or long-distance cycling.

As the pregnancy progresses, the body’s center of gravity shifts, creating a curvature in the lower back that results in back pain for roughly 60% of expecting mothers.  Because of that, any exercise involving heavy weightlifting should be limited to lighter weights.  Lying on the back can cause the uterus to pinch the blood vessels on the spine, restricting blood flow.  In 10 -15% of patients, this can cause low blood pressure.  So, exercises that require you to lie on your back should be avoided or done minimally during the second half of pregnancy.

For women who are already obese, overweight or facing any health-related issues, take this time to get healthy for you and your baby.  There’s no better time to start.

EASY PREGNANCY EXERCISES

From the early stages to the last few weeks, here are a few exercises to help your body adjust to its ever-changing needs.  Please note, it’s important to talk with your physician before exercising.  It’s also recommended that you avoid wearing tight clothing, performing jerking motions or lying on your back for extended periods of time.

Yoga – A great way to relieve stress and pressure on your body, most forms of yoga are safe for you and your baby.  Many instructors offer special classes for pregnant women.

Swimming – One of the safest ways to exercise while pregnant, swimming helps keep your body toned and provides good cardio, all without adding weight and stress on your joints.

Walking – Easy to fit into your schedule and easy on your knees, walking provides great exercise.  But don’t overdo it.  Set realistic goals and wear good shoes to protect your feet and reduce the risk of falling.

Kegel exercises – Strengthening these muscles can help with an easier birthing, promotes perineal healing, bladder control and can be done anywhere – and no one knows you’re doing them.

Stationary bicycling – This is a great cardio workout that puts less stress on your body than running or jogging.  As your pregnancy progresses, your center of gravity will shift and can increase your risk of falling off a regular bicycle.