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Pain

Bodybonehealthinjury

Joint Pain Relief Options

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Joint pain can be discomfort, pain, and inflammation from any part of the joint like the tendons, muscles, bone, ligaments, and the cartilage.

In majority of the cases, joint pain is also the term given to arthralgia or arthritis.

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation or pain within the joint itself.

However, joint pain can also be attributed to several other conditions like gout, bursitis, osteoarthritis, sprains, strains, rheumatoid arthritis, and other injuries.

While it affects any part of the body, pain in the knee is the most common, followed by shoulder and hip pain.

As a person gets older, joint pain has the tendency to occur more often.

Joint pain can range from irritating to debilitating.

Acute cases will disappear after a few weeks while chronic cases can persist for several weeks or even months.

Unfortunately, however the short term the pain and swelling can be, it can still affect the patient’s life quality.

For those who are suffering from pain in the joint, some of the common treatment options can include:

Medications

For moderate to severe joint pain, prescription or OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are often recommended for pain relief.

Patients who experience only mild pain san swelling, acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be prescribed.

For joint pains that are severe, a strong opioid medication may be prescribed by the doctor.

Other medication that might be given to help ease the pain can include:

  • Muscle Relaxants – given to combat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants are often used with NSAIDs for more potent results.
  • Antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs – both interfere with pain signals.

Topical Agents

A substance found in chili peppers known as capsaicin has been known effective in relieving joint pains.

It works by blocking substance P, the substance known to help transmit pain signals.

It also triggers the release of body chemicals that help block the pain.

These chemicals are known as endorphins.

Ben Gay and other topical creams that contain methyl salicylate are also known to provide relief for joint pains.

Injections

When topical and oral medications won’t work, steroid medications might be the next treatment option recommended.

A steroid medication is injected into the joint every 3 to 4 months to help ease the pain.

This treatment route is often recommended for patients with joint disease, tendinitis, and arthritis.

Physical therapy

Physical therapists help patients with joint pain by strengthening the muscles around it, improving the motion range of the patient, and stabilizing the joint.

Techniques like ultrasound, heat and cold therapy, and electrical nerve stimulation may also be used.

For overweight patients, getting rid of the extra pounds might be recommended in order to take pressure off the painful joint.

While exercise is a good and effective way of losing the extra weight, not all exercises will do.

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you stick to low-impact exercises like swimming and bicycling.

Doing low impact exercises is recommended so joint irritation is avoided.

Home Remedies

To relieve short term pain at home, the following are recommended:

  • Protecting the joint with the use of a brace or wrap
  • Resting the joint and avoiding activities that might cause pain
  • Putting ice on the painful joint for at least 15 minutes, several times daily
  • Compressing the joint using an elastic wrap

Applying ice to the joints that are painful have also been proven to relieve both the inflammation and the pain.

Using a heating pad or a wrap several time a day is also considered an effective way to combat muscle spasms around the painful joint.

If joint pain is keeping you from doing your day-to-day activities, please visit www.bjios.sg for help.

 

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Bodyhealthhygiene

Ingrown Toenail: What are the Common Causes

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

When the edges or the corners of the nail will grow into the skin, a condition known as ingrown toenail develops.

In most cases, given that there is no infection, ingrown toenail will often respond to home remedies.

However, when the toenail has pierced the skin or when the affected toe has become infected, ingrown toenail surgery might be recommended.

Unfortunately, those with diabetes and other medical conditions that will cause poor circulation are at a higher risk for ingrown toenail complications.

Causes

Ingrown toenail can be attributed to a lot of causes, some of which include the following:

  • Irregular and curved toenails
  • Toenails that are cut straight across
  • Injuries
  • Lack of foot hygiene
  • Footwear that put pressure on the big toes
  • Socks and stockings that are too tight may also lead to ingrown toenail

Symptoms

Ingrown toenail can be very excruciating.

In some cases, it can get infected when left unattended.

That being said, treating it the soonest possible time is recommended.

In the early stages, common symptoms that will develop can include:

  • Pain when pressure is put on the affected area
  • Tenderness and swelling of the skin that is next to the nail infected
  • Noticeable fluid buildup around the toe affected

Once the affected toe becomes infected, some of the symptoms that will manifest may include:

  • Swelling and redness
  • Pus
  • Pain
  • Skin overgrowth
  • Bleeding

Diagnosis

In many cases, the condition can be diagnosed through physical examination.

However, once the affected toe becomes infected, an X-ray might be recommended.

An X-ray may also be necessary when:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • The condition was caused by an injury
  • Patient has a history of chronic infection

Treatment

If there is no infection, home remedies are often enough.

However, if signs of infection manifest or if the toenail has pierced the skin, seeking medical attention would be recommended.

Home Remedies

Treatment of ingrown toenail at home can involve:

  • Soaking the feet in warm water at least 3 to 4 times each day
  • Pushing the skin from the toenail edge using cotton balls that are soaked in olive oil
  • Using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to help alleviate the pain
  • Applying topical antibiotic to help combat infection

Surgical Treatment

In case the condition will not respond to home remedies, an ingrown toenail surgery will be the recommended treatment alternative.

Nail and tissue removal – if the condition has manifested more than once, removing the underlying tissue or the nail bed as well as a portion of the nail will be done. This is done to ensure the nail’s affected part will no longer grow back.

Partial nail removal – if symptoms like pus, pain, swelling, and redness will manifest, the doctor will likely remove or trim a portion of the nail. An anesthetic will be given to numb the affected toe before the procedure is carried out.

After Surgery

After the procedure, patients will be sent home with a bandaged toe.

Raising the foot for at least a day or two after the surgery will be likely recommended.

On the second day, the bandage is often removed.

Patients will also be instructed to wear open-toed shoes for the time being.

Saltwater soaks may also be prescribed until the toe heals.

Painkillers will be given to ease the pain and antibiotics will be given to keep any infection from developing.

Prevention

In order to prevent ingrown toenail from developing, the following tips should be kept in mind:

  • Make sure the nails are trimmed straight across and the edges are not curved in
  • Refrain from trimming the nails too short
  • Wear footwear, socks, and stockings that fit properly
  • When working in a hazardous environment, protect the feet by wearing steel-toed boots

If you have a problem with ingrown toenail, visit www.bjios.sg for appropriate help with the management and treatment of the condition.

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Bodybonehealthinjury

Hip and Knee Replacement: When is It Needed?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Even if once considered a “high-tech” procedure, joint replacement is now deemed very common.

Statistics indicate that at least more than a million hips and knees are replaced annually.

And that statistic is in the United States alone.

While the figures are no doubt staggering, it is not exactly surprising.

For the right candidates, hip and knee replacement can be a life-altering procedure.

When is the procedure necessary?

While often considered the last resort, hip and knee replacement is deemed the best alternative when the following factors are present:

  • When there is pain and stiffness – it might be time for a new joint when the patient experiences difficulty walking, getting up from a chair, climbing the stairs, and doing routine activities. Also, if pain has persisted for more than 6 months already, a joint replacement surgery might be the best alternative.
  • When it affects the patient’s quality of life – apart from the pain, another key element that needs to be factored in is if the condition already has a significant impact on the patient’s daily routine. Is it limiting what the patient can do? Does it affect the patient’s mood? Does it impact how they go about their day-to-day routine?
  • When there is damage to the bone – X-rays alongside other imaging tests can be used to check if osteoarthritis or any other medical condition has taken a toll on the patient’s joints.
  • When there is obvious deformity – when the patient’s leg has become bowed or the knees have become severely swollen, joint replacement surgery will be the likely treatment option.
  • When other treatment alternatives have become futile – when all the other non-invasive treatment options (injections, medications, devices) have been exhausted, surgery becomes the likely option.

What key elements should be considered?

Even for those who are perfect candidates for hip or joint replacement surgery, it is still necessary that the following key questions are addressed:

Has the possible impact of the procedure already been considered?

The likely effects of surgery on the patient’s life and job should be taken into account.

When necessary, talking to family members and friends will be encouraged so assistance is available while patient is recovering.

Have other perspectives been taken into account?

Just like any surgeries that are major, getting a second opinion would be recommended.

This is especially true for those patients who have any doubts if the procedure is the best recourse possible.

Has the procedure been discussed with the surgeon?

For likely candidates, it is important that the specifics about the procedure will be discussed thoroughly.

If patient has any doubts and queries, they should not think twice about discussing it with their surgeon.

Asking for enlightenment regarding the procedure and what the recovery would be like is also advisable.

Has proper research been carried out?

There are different kinds of joint replacement procedures so doing research and reading up on the matter is recommended.

There are a lot of reliable websites that can provide essential information on the matter so candidates for surgery will have a clear idea of what they will be getting themselves into.

Is there assistance available while recovering?

Recovering from joint surgery when living alone can be very challenging.

For the first few weeks after the procedure, help will be necessary when preparing food, getting dressed, changing the bandage, and moving around.

If no family members or friends will be around to provide assistance, finding a facility where they can rehabilitate would be ideal.

What necessary changes do candidates for surgery need to do?

In order to ensure the best results are achieved, candidates should be willing to commit and work hard prior and post-surgery.

Patients need to also be aware that significant lifestyle need to be made like losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking, and eating healthier, among other things.

If you think you are a candidate for joint replacement surgery, please visit www.bjios.sg.

 

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Bodybonehealthinjury

Bone Fractures: Treatment Options

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

 

The medical term given to a broken bone is fracture.

Fractures are very common.

Statistics show that an average person will have at least two fractures in their lifetime.

When the physical force exerted is way stronger than the bone, a fracture will most likely occur.

Types

While there are different kinds of fractures, the main categories are closed, open, non-displaced, and displaced.

Displaced fracture occurs when the bone is snapped into two (or more parts).

However, when there is a crack but the alignment of the bone is still present, it is called a displaced fracture.

When the bone breaks through the skin, it is classified as an open fracture. However, if there is no puncture or wound, it is aptly called a closed fracture.

Other fracture types include:

Greenstick fracture

This type is very common among children. This is also considered an incomplete fracture characterized by a bent bone.

Transverse fracture

This type occurs when the broken piece of the bone is found at a right angle to the bone’s axis.

Buckled fracture

This is also commonly known as impacted fracture. This occurs when the bone ends are driven into each other.

Comminuted fracture

This type occurs when the bone has been broken into several pieces.

Symptoms

Common fracture symptoms can include but are not limited to the following:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain (especially when moved or when pressure is applied)
  • Deformity
  • Loss of function

Causes

Fractures often develop as a result of falls, blows, and other traumatic events.

Fractures that are caused by other illnesses like cancer are called pathologic fractures.

The condition weakens the bones and fractures of this kind will manifest without any trauma.

At least 1.5 million of fractures that occur annually is often attributed to osteoporosis.

Diagnosis

In order to accurately diagnose bone fractures, doctors will require X-rays and will have to physically examine the area.

In some cases, however, X-rays will not suffice when checking for fractures.

For instance, in order to diagnose stress, hip, and wrist fractures accurately, a bone, MRI, or CT scan might be recommended.

In other instances, special tests like X-ray of the blood vessels, angiogram, etc. will be necessary to ensure there are no damage on the surrounding tissues.

Treatment

In majority of the cases, immediate medical attention will be required for fractures.

Immobilization of fractures are carried out using a cast or a splint.

In certain cases, traction is used to minimize pain and promote healing.

In cases of open fractures, antibiotics are prescribed to keep infection at bay.

Rehabilitation will also be recommended the soonest possible time even if the cast is still in place.

This is to help ensure stiffness is prevented, muscle tone is maintained, and blood flow is promoted.

Once the cast or splint has been removed, swelling and stiffness can still be experienced in the area surrounding the fracture.

However, in most cases, it will disappear after a few weeks.

It will often take 4 to 6 weeks before strength is regained in the bone.

To play safe, it is advisable to ask the doctor regarding safe activities you can already do.

In most cases, key elements like the type of fracture and the patient’s overall health will be taken into consideration.

Prevention

To ensure bone fractures are prevented, the following measures should be kept in mind:

  • Ensure the stairs are free from objects that can actually cause one to trip.
  • When doing recreational activities, proper safety equipment like helmets, safety pads, etc. should be worn.
  • For patients that are diagnosed with osteoporosis, talk to doctors about calcium supplements and other possible remedies and ask for exercises that can help enhance both strength and balance.

If you suspect you have fracture or a broken bone, visit www.bjios.sg for proper and competent help and guidance.

 

 

 

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Bodyfitnessinjury

Foot and Ankle Injuries: Essential Facts

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Foot and ankle injuries are very common.

So common that everyone has most likely experienced one at one point in their lives or another.

The cause of foot and ankle injury are often attributed to two things—everyday wear and tear and overuse.

Even when extremely common, there are plenty of facts about foot and ankle injuries many people are not aware of.

For the uninitiated, below are some of the basic facts about food and ankle injuries not many people know about:

In children, a foot and ankle injury can often occur when engaging in sports, while playing, or during falls.

In general, majority of foot and ankle injuries happen when doing work or projects around the house, when engaged in work-related tasks, or while involved in sports or recreational activities.

Certain athletes like dancers, soccer players, gymnasts, and basketball players are more prone to foot and ankle injuries compared to others.

Injury risk for foot and ankle injuries is often higher when doing activities that entail jumping (i.e. soccer or football).

Older adults are more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries since they are more likely to already lose much in terms of muscle mass and bone strength because of their age. Vision and balance problems can also increase their risk significantly.

Minor foot and ankle injuries will often respond well to home remedies. However, acute injuries secondary to twisting, jamming, bending, falling, direct blows, and penetrating injuries may require immediate medical attention.

Some of the most common acute injuries include:

Puncture wounds

Sharp objects like nails, needles, ice picks, and knives can cause puncture wounds. It is easy for puncture wounds to get infected so seeking medical attention is recommended at all times.

Tendon injuries

When tendons rupture, it can result to discomfort and severe pain.

Dislocation

Can be a result of a bone moving out of place.

Pulled muscles or strains

Muscles of the foot and the ankle can become strained. In some cases, it may also rupture.

Treatment options for foot and ankle injuries vary and may include medicine, first aid measures (splint, brace, application of cast), special shoe (orthotic device), and physical therapy.

When too much stress is placed on the tissues or joints, overuse injuries can develop.

Some of the most common overuse injuries can include:

Plantar fasciitis

This condition occurs when the plantar fascia (the flat and broad ligament situated at the bottom of the foot) becomes inflamed.

Achilles tendinitis or tendinopathy (tendinosis)

This condition is characterized of the soft tissues that are found in and around the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (Achilles tendon).

Retrocalcaneal bursitis

This condition occurs when the bursa is inflamed. Its symptoms include swelling and tenderness. Pain can become very noticeable when wearing shoes or when doing physical activities.

If the following symptoms will manifest, seeking medical attention is recommended:

  • There is obvious deformity
  • The skin of the injury site is broken
  • Numbness and tingling is experienced
  • The affected area turns blue, pale, or white
  • Excruciating pain is experienced
  • The swelling and the pain does not disappear even after 2 days
  • Signs of infection are showing like redness, fever, warmth, swelling, and red streaks in the affected area.

The recommended treatment option for foot and ankle injuries will often depend on the following key factors:

  • Severity of the condition
  • Type of the injury
  • Location of the injury
  • When the injury occurred
  • Age
  • Overall health condition
  • Activities (work, hobbies, sports)

Prevention of foot and ankle injuries is way easier if the following tips are kept in mind:

  • Invest in a new pair of running shoes after 500 miles of wear or at least every 3 months.
  • Do exercises for heel pain and tightness. This is especially important for athletes.
  • Refrain from doing excessive sprinting.
  • Walk regularly to enhance circulation and flexibility.

For help and guidance on foot and ankle injuries, please check www.bjios.sg.

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Bodyhealthinjury

Treatments for Back Pain

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

To diagnose back pain, a back pain specialist will test the motion range and nerve function.

They will also need to touch the body to accurately identify areas of discomfort and pain.

In some instances, blood and urine tests may be necessary to rule out infections alongside other medical issues.

X-rays may also be needed in some cases to check if there are other likely causes for back pain.

X-rays are considered beneficial when checking for likely skeletal defects and broken bones.

X-rays are also useful when pinpointing connective tissue problems.

However, when in the lookout for disk problems or likely soft-tissue damage, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be recommended.

An electromyogram (EMG) will also be required when the need to check for muscle or nerve damage arises.

Treatment Options

Back pain treatment approaches can vary from one person to another.

Key factors like the severity of the condition and the cause of the pain will have to be taken into consideration before the right treatment option is decided on.

Some of the possible treatment options for back pain can include:

Rest

In order to ease acute back pain brought about by minor strain or injury, resting for 24 to 48 hours will be recommended.

Aspirins as well as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will also be prescribed to help reduce the pain and inflammation.

Once the inflammation has subsided, applying heat will be recommended to help soothe cramped muscles and strained connective tissues.

Contrary to popular belief, long-term bed rest will not help much and might even prove counterproductive.

In majority of the cases, patients can already do non-strenuous and routine activities within 24 to 72 hours.

To play safe, checking with a back pain specialist if physical therapy or controlled exercises might be needed.

Physical therapy treatments may include whirlpool baths, massage, and ultrasound, among others.

Medications

If the back pain becomes so severe and already hinders the individual from participating in normal activities, pain medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin might be given.

However, when the condition does not respond to any OTC painkillers, steroid injections might be given.

However, steroid injections are rarely used as they often provide only temporary relief and they may come with likely side effects.

TENS

Some physicians may might recommend transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) to help ease back pain.

This is carried out by taping electrodes to the body.

Said electrodes will carry an electrical current that is mild to help ease back pain.

Surgery

For back pains that are nonspecific, surgery is often considered the last resort.

Chronic nonspecific back pains are often not attributed to spinal issues.

However, when imaging results will indicate compression or nerve tissue damage, surgery might become the likely treatment option.

Surgery is also the chosen alternative when the condition does not respond to noninvasive treatment alternatives like medications, physical therapy, rest, and home exercise programs.

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment can include education, relaxation techniques, stress management, and behavioral adaptation.

CBT has been known to lift depression and reduce the severity of the back pain.

CBT is also considered effective when relieving pain in the lower back.

Some studies indicate it is also more effective compared to routine care and placebo.

Biofeedback

If back pain is caused by tension or muscle spasm, biofeedback might be prescribed.

This treatment option has been known to enhance overall life quality and reduce pain.

Biofeedback is also believed to help muscles respond better to stress or movement.

Acupuncture

Both the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians pointed out that acupuncture can likely help with low-back pains that are already chronic.

It can also come in handy when other treatment alternatives have proved ineffective.

Acupuncture can be used alone or as part of other treatment plans.

However, to date, not enough evidence is available to support its effectivity in treating acute back pain.

For expert help with back pain, visit www.bjios.sg and get in touch with competent and trusted professionals.

 

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Bodyhealth

Ways to Manage Achilles Tendinitis

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

When the tendon that connects the back of the leg to the heel (Achilles tendon) becomes swollen and painful, the condition is known as Achilles tendinitis.

Achilles tendinitis is very common among runners who drastically increase the intensity or the duration of their runs.

It is also prevalent among middle-aged people who play sports like tennis and basketball on the weekends.

Causes

Achilles tendinitis is likely to manifest when:

  • There is a sudden increase in the intensity or amount of physical activity
  • The calf muscles are very tight or not stretched out
  • Running on surfaces that are hard like concrete
  • Running too often
  • Not wearing footwear that provides the right support
  • There is a lot of jumping involved, for instance when playing basketball
  • When the foot is drastically turned in or out

Achilles tendinitis that develops due to arthritis is common among middle-aged and older individuals.

A bone spur or growth may also develop in the back of the heel bone and may irritate the Achilles tendon as a result.

This irritation will often result to swelling and pain.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis can include:

  • Pain in the heel and along the tendon’s length when walking or running
  • Pain and stiffness in the affected area in the mornings
  • Difficulty when standing up using only one toe
  • Swelling in the area affected

Risk Factors

Several factors have been known to increase the risk for Achilles tendinitis.

Some of the factors are:

Sex

The condition is more common among men than in women.

Age

The likelihood of the condition occurring more increases as one ages.

Training options

Running on hilly terrains and wearing ill-filling shoes can also increase one’s risk of developing Achilles injury.

Medical conditions

Individuals with psoriasis and high blood pressure are more prone to developing the condition.

Physical problems

Those with a naturally flat arch are likely to put more strain on the Achilles tendon. Obesity and tight calf muscles have also been identified to increase tendon strain.

Prevention

Preventing Achilles tendinitis from happening is not exactly possible.

However, there are certain measures one can be exercised to help reduce one’s risk.

For starters, the following measure would help:

Increasing activity level gradually.

Every time you start an exercise regimen, it is recommended that you start out slow and increase the duration and the intensity gradually as you go along.

Stretch regularly.

Ensure to stretch the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon before and after exercising. This is done in order to retain flexibility.

Cross-train.

Make sure you alternate high impact activities like jumping or running with low impact ones like cycling and swimming to help ensure lesser strain is placed on the Achilles tendon

Treatment

Most of the time, Achilles tendinitis will respond to home remedies.

However, in cases where the symptoms become severe and persistent, other treatment options might be recommended.

Medications

OTC medications like ibuprofen and naproxen might be prescribed to help ease the pain and the swelling.

If the condition will not respond, stronger medications might be given.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist may suggest the following treatment options:

Exercises

Therapists will recommend stretching and strengthening exercises to promote tendon healing as well as healing of the supporting structures.

Orthotic Devices

A shoe insert or a wedge that can elevate the heel slightly can help relieve strain. It can also provide the much needed cushion so force that is exerted in the tendon is lessened.

Surgery

If the condition will not respond to conservative treatments, surgery to repair the tendon might be necessary.

If you need help with Achilles tendinitis, please visit www.bjios.sg so you’ll know how to get competent help to effectively manage the condition.

 

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