Almost everyone has used over the counter medications at one time or another in their lives to treat headaches. Lets face it, when your head starts throbbing, the fasting thing you can to alleviate the pain is grab some over the counter ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen. These types of medications have become a way of life for many people.
Over the counter pain relievers such as these are made to obstruct the production of prostaglandins in your body. Prostaglandins are the source of pain in the body. They are a made up of a substance much like hormones. Prostaglandins play very important roles in the body and most people are not aware of exactly what those roles are. By blocking the production of prostaglandins, you can effect other parts of your body’s regular functions.
Prostaglandins help to keep your blood pressure regulated as well as helping your kidneys functions properly and the also with the gastric acid secretions. By using over the counter medications to treat your headaches, you are really in a no win situation. On one hand your headache is gone but on the other hand you can be risking complications with your blood pressure as well as your kidneys or possibly even your liver.
With repeated use of such over the counter medications you can run the risk of even greater problems including such side effects as: nervous behavior, breathing problems, high blood pressure, cramping, nausea, diarrhea and indigestion, tension, constipation and even more headaches. Many people overlook such side effects as they are only focused on getting rid of the pain.
Before choosing an over the counter pain management for your headache, be sure you know the side effects of the medications. You want to make an educated choice and weigh your options carefully. If you are looking for short term relief, such medications as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be a good choice. If you suffer with headaches on a regular basis then you will want to talk with your doctor to find a better pain management plan.
It is better to find the cause of the headache and treat it rather then to just treat the headache symptoms. Once you and your doctor know why you are getting the headaches, you can begin to fix the real problem not just the symptoms. Perhaps it is stress that is causing the headaches, therefore if you help to alleviate the stress the headaches won’t be a problem. Some people can even suffer headaches from certain foods, so avoidance of those foods that trigger the headaches will keep the pains at bay.
Don’t live with frequent headaches any longer! Learn about more treatment options for curing frequent headaches at http://www.frequent-headaches.com .
Need pain management information? Not sure if what your doctor of therapist is recommending is really the best thing for you? Want to pose a question to others in the same situation as you? These articles are written by both experts in this field as well as those who are experiencing the challenge of living a productive life in spite of lower back pain. You are encouraged to add your comments if you feel our community could benefit.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
How to Find Support When You Have Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome
How to Find Support When You Have Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome
By Kristi Patrice Carter
If you’re one of the estimated one million people in the United States living with interstitial cystitis, commonly referred to as IC, you’re well aware that the condition can have a profound effect on your daily life. But, you should also know that you’re not alone as there are many support groups and organizations who understand life with interstitial cystitis. These groups offer invaluable resources and information about coping, living, and thriving with the condition.
If there isn’t a group or association for IC in your area or neighborhood, you can always start your own by contacting the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) who will offer helpful information about becoming a support group leader. Starting your own group can be a highly rewarding experience as you’ll play an active role in bringing individuals together who are dealing with the same issues.
Once you’ve established your group, spread the word to publicize upcoming meetings. Many urologists, general practitioners, gynecologists, and hospitals will post notices in their waiting rooms about relevant support groups for their patients. Informative flyers can be posted in libraries, at supermarkets, on community bulletin boards, and in hospital newsletters. Some groups feature guest speakers such as pain management specialists, and offer participants informative hand-outs containing the latest news on IC.
Some of the topics and issues discussed at a typical IC support group meeting include:
- Treatment topics including traditional as well as alternative approaches
- Diet, nutrition, and exercise
- Self-help tips and techniques
- Pain management
- Stress reduction
- Sexuality and pregnancy with IC
Support groups can be a wonderful place for sharing personal experiences with like-minded individuals who can offer understanding as well as helpful up-to-date information about interstitial cystitis. Although IC affects both men and women of all cultures and socioeconomic groups, many aren’t familiar with the condition or its painful effects. And many people aren’t comfortable discussing this type of condition with those who don’t have it themselves.
To find out if there is a group in your area, contact the ICA for a list of local groups or for more information on starting your own:
Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (ICA)
(800) HELP-ICA or (800) 435-7422
www.ichelp.org
In addition to joining a support group, there are some other things you can do to take an active role in living with and controlling your IC. Educate yourself and those around you as much as possible about the condition, its treatments and the latest research. Find a doctor who is compassionate, supportive, and knowledgeable about the troubling condition. Besides the many IC organizations, the internet, your local public library, and university libraries will all have information about interstitial cystitis.
Any of the following organizations can also offer additional information about interstitial cystitis:
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
(800) 828-7866
www.afud.org
American Pain Foundation
info@painfoundation.org
www.painfoundation.org
American Pain Society
(847) 375-4715
www.ampainsoc.org
American Urogynecologic Society
(202) 367-1167
www.augs.org
International Association for the Study of Pain
(206) 547-6409
www.iasp-pain.org
Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN)
(707) 538-9442
www.ic-network.com
Multinational Interstitial Cystitis Association (MICA)
info@multinationalica.org
www.multinationalica.org
National Kidney Foundation
(800) 622-9010
www.kidney.org
National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
(831) 655-8812
www.paincare.org
Society for Women’s Health Research
www.womenshealthresearch.org
Are you or a loved one suffering from interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome? If so, help is available. Please visit www.interstitial-cystitis.net for the latest information and treatment option for this extremely painful but treatable condition.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristi_Patrice_Carter
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Find-Support-When-You-Have-Interstitial-Cystitis-or-Painful-Bladder-Syndrome&id=576208
By Kristi Patrice Carter
If you’re one of the estimated one million people in the United States living with interstitial cystitis, commonly referred to as IC, you’re well aware that the condition can have a profound effect on your daily life. But, you should also know that you’re not alone as there are many support groups and organizations who understand life with interstitial cystitis. These groups offer invaluable resources and information about coping, living, and thriving with the condition.
If there isn’t a group or association for IC in your area or neighborhood, you can always start your own by contacting the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) who will offer helpful information about becoming a support group leader. Starting your own group can be a highly rewarding experience as you’ll play an active role in bringing individuals together who are dealing with the same issues.
Once you’ve established your group, spread the word to publicize upcoming meetings. Many urologists, general practitioners, gynecologists, and hospitals will post notices in their waiting rooms about relevant support groups for their patients. Informative flyers can be posted in libraries, at supermarkets, on community bulletin boards, and in hospital newsletters. Some groups feature guest speakers such as pain management specialists, and offer participants informative hand-outs containing the latest news on IC.
Some of the topics and issues discussed at a typical IC support group meeting include:
- Treatment topics including traditional as well as alternative approaches
- Diet, nutrition, and exercise
- Self-help tips and techniques
- Pain management
- Stress reduction
- Sexuality and pregnancy with IC
Support groups can be a wonderful place for sharing personal experiences with like-minded individuals who can offer understanding as well as helpful up-to-date information about interstitial cystitis. Although IC affects both men and women of all cultures and socioeconomic groups, many aren’t familiar with the condition or its painful effects. And many people aren’t comfortable discussing this type of condition with those who don’t have it themselves.
To find out if there is a group in your area, contact the ICA for a list of local groups or for more information on starting your own:
Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (ICA)
(800) HELP-ICA or (800) 435-7422
www.ichelp.org
In addition to joining a support group, there are some other things you can do to take an active role in living with and controlling your IC. Educate yourself and those around you as much as possible about the condition, its treatments and the latest research. Find a doctor who is compassionate, supportive, and knowledgeable about the troubling condition. Besides the many IC organizations, the internet, your local public library, and university libraries will all have information about interstitial cystitis.
Any of the following organizations can also offer additional information about interstitial cystitis:
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
(800) 828-7866
www.afud.org
American Pain Foundation
info@painfoundation.org
www.painfoundation.org
American Pain Society
(847) 375-4715
www.ampainsoc.org
American Urogynecologic Society
(202) 367-1167
www.augs.org
International Association for the Study of Pain
(206) 547-6409
www.iasp-pain.org
Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN)
(707) 538-9442
www.ic-network.com
Multinational Interstitial Cystitis Association (MICA)
info@multinationalica.org
www.multinationalica.org
National Kidney Foundation
(800) 622-9010
www.kidney.org
National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
(831) 655-8812
www.paincare.org
Society for Women’s Health Research
www.womenshealthresearch.org
Are you or a loved one suffering from interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome? If so, help is available. Please visit www.interstitial-cystitis.net for the latest information and treatment option for this extremely painful but treatable condition.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristi_Patrice_Carter
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Find-Support-When-You-Have-Interstitial-Cystitis-or-Painful-Bladder-Syndrome&id=576208
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)