When to Call the Doctor About Your Migraines or Headaches

Any kind of pain is your body’s way of warning you about an injury or illness. Although migraines and headaches are rarely the symptoms of a serious illness, occasionally they may indicate a serious medical condition such as a tumor or aneurysm (blood vessel rupture). It is important for you to become familiar with your personal headache symptoms, and those that require immediate medical attention.

If you or a loved one has any of the following headache symptoms seek medical care immediately:

• A sudden, new severe headache
• A headache that is associated with neurological (nerve) symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, sudden loss of balance or falling, numbness or tingling, paralysis, speech difficulties, mental confusion, seizures, personality changes/inappropriate behavior, or vision changes (blurry vision, double vision or blind spots)
• Headache with a fever, shortness of breath, stiff neck, or rash
• Headache pain that awakens you at night
• Headaches with severe nausea and vomiting
• Headaches that occur after a head injury or accident
• Getting a new type of headache after age 55

The following migraine or headache symptoms do not require urgent care, but you should contact your doctor if you, or your loved one, have any of these symptoms.

• Have three or more headaches per week
• Have headaches that keep getting worse and won’t go away
• Need to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day for your headaches
• Need more than 2-3 doses of over-the-counter medications per week to relieve headache symptoms
• Have headaches that are triggered by exertion, coughing, bending, or strenuous activity
• Have a history of headaches, but have noticed a recent change in your headache symptoms

Tags: doctor, headache, medication, migraine

Migraines May Up Risk of Painful Skin

A new study shows migraine sufferers are more likely to have a type of pain condition called “allodynia” — pain from something that normally should not evoke pain, such as rubbing the head, combing hair, or wearing necklaces and earrings.

The study looked at questionnaire answers from 16,573 people who have headaches; 11,737 of them have migraines, 1,491 have probable migraines, and 3,345 have other types of headaches.

Researchers explored what types of headaches these people have and how often they get them, among other things.

When it came to allodynia, here’s what the researchers found:

• 68% of respondents who had migraines every day reported allodynia.
• 37% of those who had chronic daily headaches said they experienced allodynia.
• In people with migraines, allodynia was more common in women and people who were obese.
• Depressed people reported more extreme skin sensitivity and pain.
• Extreme skin sensitivity and pain decreased with age.

Skin Pain and Headaches

Exactly what causes brain pain and extreme skin sensitivity? Researchers speculate that the constant activation of certain neurons in the brain may eventually damage those neurons, which could play a part.

Researcher Marcelo E. Bigal MD, PhD, from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., says allodynia may be a “risk factor for migraine progression, where individuals have migraines on more days than not.”

This type of pain and sensitivity seems to decrease as we age. Why? According to researchers, one reason may be that “the activation of pain pathways in the brain decline as attacks become less frequent and severe.”

Study researchers say identifying risk factors for how migraines progress can lead to better treatment. 

Researchers believe that there may be a link between female hormones and skin pain associated with headaches.

The study shows that the pain areas in the brain changed as women went through their menstrual cycle, with the most pain being reported during menstruation.

The study was sponsored by the National Headache Foundation and appears in the April 22 edition of Neurology.

Tags: headache, migraine, Pain, skin

Low Back Pain - Medications

Low Back Pain - Medications

Tags: Acetaminophen, back pain, drug, medication, muscle

What Is Back Pain?

We’ve all experienced back problems from time to time — a pain in the lower back or strain of the neck. In fact, problems from back pain are the most common physical complaints among American adults and are a leading cause of lost job time — to say nothing of the time and money spent in search of relief. Back pain includes sore muscles and tendons, herniated discs, fractures, and other problems. Most often, the causes of back pain have developed over a long period of time.

The spinal column is an extraordinary mechanism. It keeps us stable enough to stand upright but flexible enough for movement. The backbone, or spine, is actually a stack of 24 individual bones called vertebrae.

A healthy spine is S-shaped when viewed from the side. It curves back at the shoulders and inward at the neck and small of the back. It’s the body’s main structural support. It also houses and protects the spinal cord, the intricate network of nerves that runs through the vertebrae to transmit feeling and control movement throughout the entire body.

What Causes It?

Back pain ranks high on the list of self-inflicted ailments. Most of our back troubles happen because of bad habits, generally developed over a long period of time. These include:

• Poor posture
• Overexertion in work and play
• Sitting incorrectly at the desk or at the steering wheel
• Pushing, pulling, and lifting things carelessly

Sometimes, the effects are immediate, but in many cases back problems develop over time. One of the more common types of back pain comes from straining the bands of muscles surrounding the spine. Although such strains can occur anywhere along the spine, they happen most often in the curve of the lower back. The next most common place is at the base of the neck.

Sometimes backache occurs for no apparent reason. This is called nonspecific backache. It may develop from weakened muscles that cannot handle everyday walking, bending, and stretching. In other cases, the discomfort seems to come from general tension, lack of proper sleep, and/or stress.

A condition called fibrositis causes chronic backache from localized muscle tension. Sometimes this original muscle tension comes from stress or other emotional problems.
Whether the muscle strain is from lifting heavy objects or from something as innocuous as a sneeze makes little difference — the pain can be agonizing.

Pregnancy commonly brings on back pain. Hormonal changes and weight gain put new kinds of stresses on a pregnant woman’s spine and legs.

Injuries from contact sports, accidents, and falls can cause problems ranging from minor muscle strains to severe damage to the spinal column or the spinal cord itself.

Tags: back pain, bending, fracures, Pain, pregnancy, weight loss

Classification of Broken Bones and Fractures

A fractured bone is a bone which has had its tissue broken. A fractured is a name of the type of the break experienced. When a bone has been broken a doctor must first look for deformities of the bone which may require palpation (feeling for broken bone ends) and auscultation (listening for crepitus). There is generally local bruising and tenderness in the effected area as well as possible skin stretch marks, band marks, localized swelling and forming hematomas. An X-ray is the best diagnostic method available to confirm a broken or fractured bone.

Butterfly Fracture
This type of fracture has slight comminution at the fracture site which looks largely like a butterfly. The fracture site has butterfly fragments.

Closed Fracture
When there is a closed fracture there is no broken skin. The bones which broke do not penetrate the skin (but may be seen under the skin) and there is no contusion from external trauma.

Comminuted Bone Fracture

Comminuted Bone Fracture
A comminuted fracture has more than two fragments of bone which have broken off. It is a highly unstable type of bone fracture with many bone fragments.

Complete Bone Fracture

This is where the bone has been completely fractured through it’s own width. This is opposite from a hairline fracture or incomplete bone fracture where there is only a “crack” and not a complete break.

Complex Fracture
This type of fractured bone severely damages the soft tissue which surrounds the bone.

 

Compound Bone Fracture

Compound Bone Fracture
When this occurs, the bone breaks and fragments of the bone will penetrate through the internal soft tissue of the body and break through the skin from the inside. There is a high rise of infection if external pathogenic factors enter into the interior of the body.

Compression Fracture
This type of bone fracture generally occurs after a fall where the vertebral column is compressed and then under the extreme pressure cracks or breaks. This type of bone fracture may also be referred to as a Impact Fracture.

Double Fracture

With this type of broken bone there is multiple fractures on the same bone or two bones which are fractured at the same time (ie - tibula and fibula). This type of trauma generally requires internal fixation of the fractured bones. It is also known as a Segmental Fracture.

Fissure Fracture
This bone fracture has minimal trauma to the bone and surrounding soft tissues. It is a incomplete fracture with no significant bone displacement and is considered a stable fracture. In this type the fracture the crack only extends into the outer layer of the bone but not completely through the entire bone. It is also known as a Hairline Fracture.

Fracture-Dislocation
This type of fracture is complicated with a dislocation of the joint proximal to the fracture site.

Fragmented Fracture
During this fracture the trauma will result in many broken bones leaving many pieces of bone within the patient.

Greenstick Fracture
The pathology of this type of fracture includes a incomplete fracture in which only one side of the bone has been broken. The bone usually is “bent” and only broken of the outside of the bend. It is mostly seen in children and is considered a stable fracture due to the fact that the whole bone has not been broken. As long as the bone is kept rigid healing is usually quick.

Hairline Fracture
This bone fracture has minimal trauma to the bone and surrounding soft tissues. It is a incomplete fracture with no significant bone displacement and is considered a stable fracture. . In this type the fracture the crack only extends into the outer layer of the bone but not completely through the entire bone. It is also known as a Fissure Fracture.

 

Incomplete Fracture
This occurs when the bone breaks but the ends do not completely separate leaving the bone with a “crack” which does not extend the complete width of the bone. This is opposite from a complete bone fracture where the broken bone ends are completely severed from each other.

Impact Fracture
This type of bone fracture generally occurs after a fall where the vertebral column is compressed and then under the extreme pressure cracks or breaks. This type of bone fracture may also be referred to as a Compression Fracture.

Impacted Fracture
Type of fracture where the ends of the broken bones are wedged together.

Multiple Fractures
In this type of fractured bone there are several fracture lines on one bone. It can also mean several fractures in one patient but on separate bones but generally due to the same injury. Generally due to traumatic injuries, this will be evident in a patient who has a fractured pelvis and clavicle due to a fall or hit by a car.

Oblique Fractures
These types of fractures are one of rarest forms. They are a oblique break in the bone which is very unstable (break at an angle). They can be easily diagnosed as spiral fractures.

Open Bone Fracture
This type of fracture classified as when a broken bone protrudes to the exterior of the body giving rise to soft tissue injuries of the muscles, tendons and ligaments. There is a high risk of injection to the internal tissues.

Segmental Fracture
With this type of broken bone there is multiple fractures on the same bone or two bones which are fractured at the same time (ie - tibula and fibula). A bone break in which several large pieces of bone have broken away from the broken bone. This type of fracture easily becomes an open fracture. It is also known as a Double Fracture.

Simple Fracture
A simple bone fracture is one of the better types of fractures as there is only bone damage with little or no soft tissue damage and the broken bone ends do not penetrate the skin.

Spiral Fractures
In this pattern a bone has been broken due to a twisting type motion. It is highly unstable and may be diagnosed as a oblique fracture unless a proper x-ray has been taken. The spiral fracture will look like a corkscrew type which runs parallel with the axis of the broken bone

Stable Fracture
A stable fracture is a broken bone which is generally transverse, oblique, greenstick or a hairline fracture which is somewhat secure.

Transverse Bone Fracture
In this type of fracture the bone has been broken giving rise to a transverse break or fissure within the bone at a right angle to the long portion of the bone.. It is most often caused by direct traumatic injuries.

Unstable Fracture
An unstable fracture is generally a broken bone which is comminuted, oblique or a spiral fracture requiring external or internal fixation.

Genital Area Pain or Genital Discomfort, Pelvic Pain and Groin Pain

Male Genital Pain and Discomfort - Female Genital Pain and Discomfort

Male Genital Pain and Discomfort

The male genital area is primarily made up of the penis, scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. 

 

Epididymal pain

This type of pain is also well localized and upon examination will reveal tenderness with a focal bead-like thickening on the epididymis. 

 

Penis Pain

Penis discomfort and pain may show up with many different signs and symptoms.  Pain may be more sharp or burning in acute infections which MAY be related to STD’s and should be diagnosed by a professional.  Other more mild pain may be from possible scar tissue from prior traumatic injuries. 

 

Prostate Pain

Prostatic pain is predominantly perineal and possibly associated with other static symptoms.  A loaded rectum or a digital rectal examination can increase the prostate pain or disAcupuncture and Pain Langley

comfort.  If a prostate problem is expected a rectal examination if recommended.  Possible disorders of the prostate are infections, swelling and cancer.  Prostate pain is most often associated with urination and show similarities with urinary obstruction.  In acute prostatitis (swollen prostate) patients generally will have an unwell feeling with a possible fever.    In chronic prostate pain, patients may be mostly asymptomatic except for their perineal and lower back pain. 

 

Scrotum and Testicular Pain

Possibly due to hydrocoele – fluid surrounding  the testis making the testicles unable to be palpated.

If there is marked scrotal swelling it may be due to a indirect hernia.

 

Testicular Pain

With this type of pain, the area of pain should be easily identifiable although the pain may radiate upwards into the lower abdomen it should be rooted in the testicles.  Testicular pain may be caused by an acute traumatic injury but should improve quickly.  If there is a torsion pain the pain will persist for a long period of time. 

 

 

 

Female Genital Pain and Discomfort

Generally there is no pelvic or groin pain in females. Possibilities of pain are from the multiple organs found in the female perineal and lower abdominal area.  Examples of such organs are the ovaries, uterus, vagina, labia, bladder, urethra and many more.  The uterus is supported by various ligaments which may become weekend and allow the uterus to prolapse causing a sinking type of pain.  Many other organs may give similar pain in the same area such as the bladder which will press on the vaginal wall if prolapsed.   The labia becomes dry and more rigid in post menopause which can cause discomfort and pain.  This is only a general reference for these types of pain and a proper diagnosis is recommended by a professional in this field.

 

Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pain in the lower abdominal area which may be caused by gonorrhea, chlamydia, gardnerella vaginalis infection.  It is an inflammatory disease related with pain and a variety of other signs and symptoms. 

 

Cervicitis

Pain similar to that or a urinary tract infection or mucopurulent vaginal discharge.  It is caused by sudden or chronic inflammation of the narrow lower end of the uterus.  In acute cases there may be pain accompanied with bleeding, redness and swelling of the cervix.  Other symptoms may be a foul smelling odour with leucorrhea and a burning or itching sensation around the vaginal area.  In chronic cases of cervicitis there are similar symptoms of the acute cervicits but are more commonly found among women in their reproductive years.  If chronic, cysts are more likely to form with a congested and swollen cervix. 

 

Dysmenorrhea – Menstrual pain

Dysmenorrhea is pain which associates with the menstrual period generally causing worse pain at the beginning of menstruation.  The pain may be continuous or spasmodic (colicky) in nature.  Menstrual pain can be felt in the lower back and pelvis areas.  Dysmenorrhea may be related to endometriosis if it is felt for several days prior to menstruation.

 

Dyspareunia – Painful Sex

Pain during sex maybe caused by several reasons and may have many types of different pain (sharp, dull, burning, …)  The possible causes of shallow vaginal pain are: a rigid hymen, proposed ovaries into perivaginal area, narrowed vagina due to scaring (operations), poor coital technique and genital tract infection.  If the pain is found more deeply (deep dyspareunia) the cause may be cervicitis, endometriosis, salpingitis or in rare cases malignancies.  Dysparenuia may also have a psychological  background or cause. 

 

Endometriosis Pain

Pain associated with menstruation (dysmenorrhea) due to a growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus with ectopic uterine tissue which secretes blood.  With endometriosis the pain may also be felt during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) or with bowel movements. 

 

Ovarian Pain

Generally, ovarian pain will be unilateral and diagnosis depends greatly on when the pain occurs.  If ovarian pain occurs in the middle of a woman’s cycle (mittelschmerz) it is diagnosed as ovulation pain.  This is usually due to torsion of an ovarian cyst producing a unilateral lower abdominal pain.  If the pain is severe there will be cell death (infarction) at the site of the torsion.  If there is a haemorrhage into an ovary or ovarian cyst the pain will be similar but be less severe.  A ruptured ovary or part of an ovary (from a small cyst or corus luteum) will produce unilateral ovarian pain signs of peritoneal irritation which may be similar to that of appendicitis. 

 

Salpingitis

Inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes which will give rise to unilateral or bilateral lower abdominal pain.  There may be swellings palpable in the lower regions where the fallopian tubes are found and may cause pain.  A vaginal examination may cause pain on movement of the cervix.  Salpingitis is a type of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

 

Uterine Pain

Uterine Pain is an anterior lower abdominal pain which is not lateralized like ovarian pain.  Uterine pain may also be felt in the lower back area. 

Tags: Epididymal, Groin, Pelvic, Penis, Prostate, Scrotum

Breathing Pain and Breathing Discomfort

Tags: Cavitation, Crackles, Haemoptysis, Pleural, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary, Wheezing