Methadone for Pain Control News

Exercises for Sciatica Pain Relief

2012-01-19T10:01:00.001-08:00

Sciatica is regularly mistaken for an illness, when it is in fact a group of symptoms, especially symptoms brought on by compression of the sciatic nerve. Pain is the most widespread of these symptoms. The pain can be skilled in the back and legs. There is no remedy for sciatica, and its full causes are largely unknown. Yet, it is particularly possible to be in a position to treat sciatica and prevent future occurrences of pain. There are a series of exercises that can be done to relieve pain for sciatica symptoms depending on the diagnosis. These workout routines have been confirmed to relieve the discomfort and avoid future occurrences of discomfort.

The discomfort linked with sciatica is triggered by a range of distinctive conditions. These circumstances includes herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome. It is critical to note that to relieve the discomfort linked with Sciatica symptoms, the exercises have to be done on a regular basis and incorporated into the lifestyle of the person suffering from these symptoms. When quite a few may consider bed rest is suitable, in the case of sciatica symptoms inactivity will lead to worsening of the pain due to de-conditioning of the muscles, which turn into weak and fail to assistance the back. Workout also keeps the fluid in the joints well-distributed, creating the joints superior lubricated. Workouts for Sciatica relief should be accomplished under the supervision of a trained skilled. Specialists who are nicely versed in performing workout routines for Sciatica relief contain physiotherapists, Certified Athletic Trainers, physiatrists and chiropractors. If the workout routines are completed incorrectly and with no appropriate form, they will not be helpful.

Some workout routines are suitable for all sufferers of sciatica symptoms, regardless of the diagnosis. Walking is a good aerobic exercise and it helps strengthen the back devoid of putting too considerably strain on the back, as walking is a low impact physical exercise. Hamstring stretching is useful for all sciatica symptoms as nicely. The exercises for specific diagnosis differ based on the source of the pain. Herniated disc sciatica outcomes from the protrusion of the disc into the sciatic nerve, which causes pain in the lower leg. To alleviate this pain, one particular can execute lower leg extensions and or press ups. A single such exercise involves laying entirely on the stomach, the making use of the hands to lift the upper body up even though keeping the lower body on the ground. This kind of workouts helps in moving the muscles in the lower parts of the body upwards and into to the lower back. One other exercise for piriformis syndrome sciatica entails lying absolutely on the back, then holding on ankle and bringing towards the chest. This position is held for a couple of seconds.

Exercises for sciatica pain relief will need to be a element of one's day-to-day life-style if the workout routines are to take full effect. Performing the workouts, a couple of times may possibly have moderate outcomes, but carrying out the exercises on a daily basis will supply the maximum outcomes. Devoid of supervision of a trained qualified, the Sciatica symptoms will need to be lessened or eliminated over a period of time.

Beware: Pleasure Not Pain

2012-01-11T11:10:00.001-08:00

Sex should certainly be a pretty sweet, enjoyable knowledge. It is thus sad, depressing and disheartening when it becomes painful for someone to have sexual intercourse. Pain in the course of sex specifically for married women indicates they are unwilling to have sex with their husbands. If the husbands do not understand the circumstance, they may possibly interpret it as blatant refusal of their wives to give them "the cookie" and therefore go in search of it elsewhere therefore additional-marital affairs.

Pain through sex, also referred to as dyspareunia, is not uncommon especially to girls. Primary discomfort is discomfort that has been there all through a person's sexual life although secondary pain is that which comes right after a pain-zero cost period. Pain may also be on entry, in the course of intercourse or soon after intercourse. It can also occur with some partners, some form of stimulation and in some positions and not others.

Just as there are different sorts of such discomfort, there are also various causes, a number of of which thankfully are not incredibly serious and can be treated. Discomfort that occurs on entry may possibly be triggered if lubrication is not enough if a woman is not totally aroused sexually, dryness in menopause or rape circumstances. This can be remedied by making use of water-based lubricants applied liberally on the vagina. Other causes of pain on entry involve infection in the vagina primarily thrush, herpes blisters or infected genital warts, injury on the vagina (caused throughout sexual assault or episiotomy stitches that are not correctly healed), an unusually large penis, inflammation of the vulva, a forgotten tampon, bruising on the clitoris from too much friction, hypersensitivity of the vagina and some forms of cancer.

The common causes of deep-thrust discomfort consist of any inflammation in the pelvic region brought on by infection, if the man's penis, through thrust, hits a tender or infected component of the cervix, any tenderness in or close to the womb, ovarian cysts, fibroids or ectopic pregnancies.

Another typical result in of discomfort is vaginismus which is both an emotional and physical pain. It is described as spasms that happen in the muscles of the vagina, causing contraction hence creating penetration virtually impossible. This can be triggered by infection but also by the fear of acquiring hurt, the fear of discomfort. Previous painful experiences like rape and childhood sexual abuse, infections, restrictive upbringing that warned against sex, unease with partner may perhaps all contribute to vaginismus.

Is pain through sex only in ladies? No. Guys too knowledge pain brought on by skin disorders on the penis, infections such as thrush, Chlamydia, a tear in the foreskin, failure to ejaculate right after sexual arousal. The foreskin could also be too tight that pushing it off through penetration becomes painful. An improperly inserted IUD in the woman might possibly cause the man pain as can an improper stitch after childbirth. Male disorder that causes the bending of the penis also causes discomfort.

Whatever the trigger or symptom of the discomfort, seek professional medical assist. It is advisable that when 1 partner experiences discomfort through sex, they should really stop until the result in and remedy is identified. Penetration is not the only way to get sexual gratification if one seriously cares about their partner. You can do a great number of methods to make your partner satisfied. For example, use your tongue. If you use it appropriately, your partner can reach orgasm.

An additional factor that you can do is mastering how to talk dirty to your woman. Make her cum only with your words. Exciting, isn't it? But of course you ought to learn about how to do it. This kind of factor does not come naturally. Needs practice and willingness to study. But the result will make you .

Exercises to Stop Back Pain Now

2011-11-07T08:28:00.001-08:00

Your back hurts. It hurts a lot. You ask, "What are the exercises to stop the pain in my back now?" or defend, "Give me information on back pain exercise !" Surprisingly, too much rest during the meeting back pain will often state could.Dan or two of rest should be followed by specific back pain exercises for a complete recovery.

How can exercise to stop Back Pain?

Careful, thoughtful back pain exercise will help distribute nutrients up and down your spine, feeding your muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints. Specific exercises back pain will go back, which makes it supple. Other back pain exercise will strengthen your back and make it strong. Weakness and stiffness, increased vacation, can overcome back pain exercise.

Exercises to stop back pain now will also prevent future back pain, since it will increase your back's ability to handle the additional stress or injury.

Select the exercise, not rest, TO STOP NOW Back Pain

Before you begin back pain exercise, check with your health care provider. Not every workout back pain will be right for you. If your injury is Sever, an expert in his spine will recommend a specific exercise techniques to meet your needs. Your back pain exercise program should work the entire body, even if your primary goal is to return.

What are the exercises for the termination of Back Pain Now?

1. Back pain exercises - stretching

Stretching the muscles, ligaments and tendons is essential for back health. Whether or not currently experiencing pain in his back, stretching your back on a regular basis will give you the strength to overcome or prevent injury and trauma to the back. If your chronic back pain, plan on a regular basis, daily stretching for as much as six months to get back the flexibility and power you need. You May want to schedule more than one stretching session per day, but work carefully. In the end, you'll find that back pain exercise keeps back pain from recurring.

Setting goals (expected due date) for each muscle group. Decide the date by which you want each of these muscle groups to be strong. Write down every day, and determine the meeting.

Warm-Up First for Safe, Efficient Back Pain Exercise!
If there is any pain, stop or slow.
Cool down after a back pain exercise.

Gluteus muscles. muscles in your buttocks support flexibility of hips and pelvis. Back pain exercise should include these muscles daily.

Gluteus stretch. Sit in a straight back or folding chair. Move your bottom only forward several inches from the chair back. In this position, gently press your feet on the floor. Now squeeze the gluteus muscles together and hold for 5 minutes. This stretch allows you to get back pain exercise while watching television.

Strains. located in the back of each leg, your hamstrings help you correct posture.

Hamstring stretch. Place one foot on a chair, holding the other leg straight. Bend until the chest touches the knee on a chair leg. Keep the chest elevated leg as you slowly return the leg of another chair. Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. This stretch gives good back pain exercise without equipment.

Piriformis. piriformis syndrome is caused by the piriformis muscle irritating the sciatic nerve. You feel pain in the butt and the pain from the back of your thighs at the base of the spine. Many people call the lower back pain "sciatica ".

Stretch. Lie on your back, right hip and knee flexed. Grasp your right elbow with your left hand and pull your knees toward your left shoulder. In this position, grasp the right ankle over your right hand and rotate the ankle outwards. Repeat with your left hand. You might want to make back pain exercise with gentle music.

Psoas major. Lower back mobility can be greatly restricted tight major. This muscle often causes back pain, which makes it difficult to kneel on both knees, or stand for long.

Major stretch. Kneel on right knee, left foot flat on the floor, left knee bent. Rotate your right foot outward. Place your hand on the right gluteus muscle and tighten the muscles. Lean forward through the hip, being careful not to bend the lower spine. You should feel the stretch in front of your right hip. Hold for about 30 seconds. Repeat with left leg. If you have children, involve them in your back pain exercises.

2. Back Pain Exercises - strengthening

Back pain can be stopped now, and largely avoided in the future, reducing lower back stress. These exercises develop critical muscles of the abdomen, lower back and gluteus. Both of these back pain exercises are learned better when working with a trained physical therapist, but if you're careful, you can teach yourself. While you May done daily stretching back pain exercises, it is important to take a few days off each week from strengthening back pain exercise.

Lower back strengthening. Start flat on your back on the floor. Do not push back down on the floor. Bend both knees. Pull your navel (belly button) in the back while keeping your back relaxed. As you exhale, stretch your arms up like you're reaching for the overhead chandelier. Gradually raise head and shoulders off the floor to the shoulder blades barely touch the floor. Hold the position one fifty-nine seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times. If you feel pain with this back pain exercise, stop, or try to do it more gently and slowly.

3. Back and leg strengthening. This is one of the McKenzie Exercises, named New Zealand physiotherapists. Lie on your stomach and push up off the floor with both hands, raising only the breast. Keep the pelvis flat on the floor. Raise your back comfortably stretch and hold for 80-10 seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times. You should feel no pain with this back pain exercise, just pulling the spine.

It is strongly suggested that any back pain exercises to be done only after seeking professional medical advice.

How to Release Pain in Neck, Shoulder and Lower Back - The Facts You Must Know!

2011-09-23T11:00:00.001-07:00

Although I hate to admit it, pain is an integral part of our lives. She is always there, but we can not see it, catch or touch, let alone get rid of it completely. However, we can take charge and commit ourselves to doing something to ease the tension before we lose control of your life!

Every morning, for some, it is a struggle to get out becomes stiff and it takes about 5-10 minutes of gentle stretching before the body feels normal again. In the office, extend the plight of the door staring at a computer screen a nice neck and shoulders together, and soon sets in the causes of migraine pain and terrible discomfort in the shoulders time from poor posture creates fatigue as slouching in the lower back and back weak and rounded. Some count on the back for temporary pain relief in order to continue to work.

If this all sounds familiar, you're not alone. And take note, if you suffer from any kind, not just simply ignore it! It will not just go away on its own. When your body is pain, it is trying to tell you that something is not right and wise thing to do is to take charge and do something about it. After all, we do so we can enjoy our lives better. It really pays to be suffering from constant pain. Invest time and effort to be pain free life! You owe it to yourself!

How come the pain

Most of the time, the pain we experience comes from the way we hold our posture in our daily activities. As we are subjected to long hours at your desk, most times with little movement, the back is tired and way we sit means your lower back gets more compressed. If you still depend on the back support while sitting, back weak, because we hardly use it in a way that is designed to be used. Problems start to appear.

When your back hurts, we can begin to catch up with various seating positions. Our shoulder begins to circle back and creep up toward your ear. We are growing shorter and shorter every day, but reject it as a temporary stress. So far, the neck has to take over the job of supporting the body, because the back is weak. The tension begins to accumulate, because the muscles around your neck gets tired too. This tightening will come to a chronic stage and migraine may be a common complaint. Because back pain is always associated with neck and shoulder pain!

How do you get rid of all this pain and misery? To the relief of pain, muscle tension around the neck, shoulders and lower back should be "let out" with stretch, so they have a chance to "breathe". Pilates exercises targeted against the pain in these areas can be performed to relieve pain. Start of Pilates exercises in a span of 2 hours each time, or at least 2-3 times a day. You will feel immediate relief, even from just one day of application!

Myofascial Pain Syndrome Of the Low Back and Hips

2011-09-23T10:54:00.001-07:00

Myofascial pain syndrome, lower back and hip pain is caused by the production of "trigger points" (TRP) in the gluteus medius muscle. Some patients will be treated as a "pain in the butt." It is important to emphasize that the myofascial pain syndrome can affect any muscle in the body, and in any area space under the influence may be in the upper back above the shoulder blade (scapula) area which is caused by trigger points in trapezius.Myofascial syndrome pain can even affect the side of the face, causing pain in the jaw, usually affecting Tempero-mandibular joint TMJ ).

For now we will focus on the lower back and hip myofascial pain syndrome. To understand what causes myofascial pain syndrome, we must understand that it is caused by nodules (knots) cause areas of irritation in the muscle or fascia associated with muscle. These trigger points (TRP) are areas of irritation in the very broad bands of muscle or fascia.

One of the muscles that are often affected in this castle is the gluteus medius. This muscle starts at the top of the ilium (hip), and is attached to the outside of the head of the thighbone (femur). The function of this muscle is usually stabilize and keep the pelvis level, while the individual is walking. This prevents the pelvis from falling when lifting the legs on the opposite side.

Pain is not always localized to the trigger point. These trigger points can also cause pain radiating into the surrounding tissue, or irradiated in areas away from the trigger point. Pain in the buttocks, back of the thigh, the sacral area (the large triangular bone between the hips), and to the side of the lumbar spine are most frequently affected sites.

Structural instability of the lower spine and pelvis was primarily the cause of myofascial syndrome. When the tilt or rotation of the pelvis and / or shortness of one leg, will set up a weakness that makes an individual more prone to injury. Once you are prone to this type of situation produces injury while participating in sports, aerobic exercise, weight lifting, running, golf, tennis, or even sitting in a position to fall. Even lying on the affected side for the length of time may be a causative factor. This causes the gluteus medius muscles become loose and reduced flexibility. It is a loss of flexibility of the muscles, making it more prone to injury, and set one or more trigger points in muscles.

The patient must also actively participate in treatment, if you want to reduce pain and length of disability. Home health care patients to determine how it will soon be pain free and able to return to their normal daily activities. At first they were supposed to reduce any and all strenuous sports, exercise and more difficult chores like cleaning windows, cleaning floors, vacuuming, ironing, etc. The application of heat (preferably moist), 3 or 4 times a day for 20 minutes will relieve and relax muscles. After the heat, rub in a good analgesic gel.

Type of exercise program must be carefully type of program can be activated an exercise program impact would be best. and is excellent for strengthening the abdominal and back.Program picked up, although it does not affect the program still gives you a total body to allow an individual to set their own pace and set your goals higher as your muscles become stronger and increase power. With the increase in power will be more flexible physique that will enable individuals to live a powerful and important lifestyle!

When Pain Meds make Pain Worse

2009-01-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

Treating medication overuse headache involves a three pronged approach of patient education, teaching pain coping skills, and addressing psychological issues that put patients at risk for relapse, Alvin E. Lake III, Ph.D., said at a symposium sponsored by the American Headache Society.

Most patients don't understand that excessive use of opioids can actually make them hypersensitive to pain, said Dr. Lake of the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute, Ann Arbor. “They believe the pain is stronger than the medication, not that the medication is actually making them worse.” This thought process can be the root of ever increasing medication use, as the patient experiences “pain anxiety” and attempts to forestall pain by premedicating.

The first step is to teach patients how medication overuse exacerbates headache pain, he said. Only when they have a clear understanding of this relationship will they be open to adhering to medication limits.

Sustained opioid use downregulates opioid receptors and upregulates excitatory receptors. This results in increased synthesis of excitatory neuropeptides. “Opioid tolerance is a red flag for induced abnormal pain sensitivity,” Dr. Lake said

Simply taking away the analgesic isn't the answer, he stressed. Patients need to understand that drugs are not the only way to alleviate headaches, and that they will probably have to tolerate some level of pain. “The evidence, clinically and empirically, shows that it's very difficult for these patients to move to pain-free days. They have to find ways of dealing with headache that doesn't involve drugs.”

Biofeedback, stress management, and antidepressants all may be effective tools in relearning responses to headache pain.

By Michele G. Sullivan

Pain – Plantar Fasciitis Pain Therapy to Relieve your foot pain.

2009-01-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis will quickly send you in search of plantar fasciitis pain therapy for your foot. The first step in order to receive the correct form of plantar fasciitis pain therapy is to figure out the cause for your condition. Start with a well qualified podiatrist, who will be trained in the many different factors that can cause plantar fasciitis. This article will give you a good overview of what is involved in relieving plantar fasciitis pain.

If you experience foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis, you are most likely in search of successful plantar fasciitis pain therapy. You are not alone. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain. This condition is due to an inflammation of the band of tissues (plantar fascia) connecting your heel to your toes. Many people say that the pain feels like a stabbing or burning sensation that starts at the heel and tends to spread forward into the toes. This is why many folks are so desperate to find plantar fasciitis pain therapy. It can be agonizingly painful and will get worse without therapy.

The Causes

The first step in order to receive the correct form of plantar fasciitis pain therapy is to figure out the cause of the condition. There are many different factors that can cause plantar fasciitis, such as :

Tight calf muscles – Injury from running, jumping, etc. – Onset Arthritis – Poor fitting shoes

Plantar Fasciitis Pain Therapy

You doctor or podiatrist can help you discover the cause of your condition. After the cause has been determined, your doctor will advise you on the best plantar fasciitis pain therapy. Most of the time, plantar fasciitis pain therapy is easily conducted at home with exercise, rest and relaxation. Sometimes staying off your feet for a given amount of time is the best form of plantar fasciitis pain therapy. Other times, a doctor may tell you to apply tape across the plantar fascia located just in front of the heel where the arch begins to allow the inflammation to subside and the foot to heal correctly.

Another method of plantar fasciitis pain therapy is a series of exercises to strengthen the foot, stretching exercises and the application ice to the area of inflammation for 10 – 15 minutes, 3X a day to reduce pain and swelling.

Also, taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (DO NOT take Aspirin) will help alleviate the pain. Finally, many doctors will suggest select stretching exercises as plantar fasciitis pain therapy for prevention and treatment.

Having plantar fascia is no fun. It can get in the way of your daily activities by limiting your mobility due to the pain. This is why plantar fasciitis pain therapy is necessary to eliminate the discomfort of this irritating condition.

By Ray Attebery

What are the Different Types of Pain Medication Options ?

2009-01-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

Patients suffering from painful conditions need options to help treat their symptoms. The best pain control can be achieved by trying to target appropriate medications for the underlying problem, and trying to minimize pain with different medication and non-pharmaceutical treatments. Learn about different types of medications used to control pain.

Acetaminophen :

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is used to treat pain. Unlike some medications for pain, Tylenol does not have anti-inflammatory effects. Often, however, in cases of chronic pain, no inflammation is at the site of the pain, and thus Tylenol may be an appropriate treatment choice. Tylenol is safe when used appropriately, but can be dangerous when used excessively. Patients should be aware of Tylenol that is mixed in with prescriptions such as Percocet or Darvocet, and not take these medications as well as regular Tylenol.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs) :

The NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) are most beneficial in cases of acute pain, or flare-ups in patients with chronic pain. NSAIDs are excellent at treating inflammatory conditions including tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. In general, NSAID use is limited for patients with chronic pain because of concerns about the development to stomach problems. While the newer, so-called COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex, were designed to avoid this complication, caution should still be used when using these medications for long periods of time.

Corticosteroids :

As with NSAIDs, corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications, and best used for acute pain or for flare-ups of a chronic inflammatory problem. Corticosteroids can either be taken orally (such as Medrol, Prednisone), or injected into the soft tissues or joints (cortisone injections).

Narcotics :

Narcotics should be considered if pain cannot be otherwise controlled. Although these medications can be dangerous and addicting, they can also be extremely effective. While narcotic medications are useful for acute pain, they also have significant side effects. The short-acting types of these medications can lead to overuse and the development of tolerance. Long-acting options have fewer side effects, and better control of chronic pain. Narcotics can become addictive when they are used for lengthy times without gradual reduction in the dose, or if the medications are taken for reasons other than pain.

Anti-Convulsants :

Anti-convulsant medications are the category of medications that work to relieve nerve pain. These medications alter the function of the nerve and the signals that are sent to the brain. The most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant medication for nerve pain is called Neurontin (Gabapentin). Another option that has more recently emerged, specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia, is called Lyrica (Pregabalin).

Local Anesthetics :

Local anesthetics can provide temporary pain relief to an area. When used in the setting of chronic pain, local anesthetics are often applied as a topical patch to the area of pain. Lidoderm comes in a patch that is applied to the skin and decreases the sensitivity of this area.

Bottom Line :

Chronic pain is a problem that is seldom resolved quickly, or with one treatment. The best way to treat chronic pain is by working with your doctor and trying to attack the pain with different types of treatments. Other treatments effective for chronic pain include acupuncture, ice and heat application, massage, and other alternative treatments.

The above information thankfully comes from the orthopedics.about.com at the following link.

Methadone

2009-01-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

Methadone (Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon and many others) is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic, antitussive and a maintenance anti-addictive for use in patients on opioids. It was developed in Germany in 1937. Although chemically unlike morphine or heroin, methadone also acts on the opioid receptors and thus produces many of the same effects. Methadone is also used in managing chronic pain due to its long duration of action and very low cost. In late 2004, the cost of a one-month supply of methadone was $240, as compared to an equivalent analgesic amount of meperidine (pethidine) at $120, up to $500 and more for hydromorphone, morphine, fentanyl, and extended-release oxycodone (trade name OxyContin(TM)).

Methadone's usefulness in treatment of opioid dependence is the result of several factors. It has cross-tolerance with other opioids including heroin and morphine, long duration of effects with the result that oral dosing with methadone will stabilise the condition of the patient by stopping and preventing the opioid withdrawal syndrome, and by at least partially blocking the "rush" resulting from intravenous injection of heroin, morphine, and similar drugs.

Today a number of pharmaceutical companies produce and distribute methadone, with only the racemic hydrochloride being available in the United States as of March 2008 but the tartrate and other salts of the laevorotary form (levomethadone, with trade names like Polamidone, Heptadon etc.), which is more potent and lacks the cardiac effects like lengthened QT interval caused by the dextrorotary form, being available in Europe and elsewhere. The major producer remains Mallinckrodt. Mallinckrodt sells bulk methadone to most of the producers of generic preparations and also distributes its own brand name product in the form of tablets, dispersible tablets and oral concentrate under the name Methadose in the United States.

The above information thankfully comes from the en.wikipedia.org at the following link.

Ball Foot Pain

2009-01-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Our lives are quite hectic and we are constantly moving. This continual movement can put an enormous amount of pressure on our feet. Generally we can find relief from standing by taking the weight off a foot that is more hurtful than the other. Sitting down can also provide instant relief. What happens when the pain moves to the ball of the foot ? How do you find relief from ball foot pain ?

Ball foot pain is the painful foot condition that can occur in the area just before the toes. It is also a common foot disorder. Ball foot pain affects the bones and joints of the foot. The area that is affected is called the metatarsal region therefore ball foot pain is also called Metatarsalgia. We can find that the most pain occurs just near the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes. Sometimes however ball foot pain is isolated near the big toe.

The main reason for ball foot pain occurring is due to our wearing the wrong types of shoes. Shoes that have a narrow toe area, especially women’s shoes, forces the ball foot area to become restricted. This tiny amount of toe space can inhibit the walking process and it can also lead to extreme discomfort in the front of our feet.

Ball foot pain is very painful and sometimes one of the metatarsal heads (the cushion just before the toes) becomes inflamed. The inflammation occurs due to excessive pressure placed on that region over a long period of time. With ball foot pain it is common to experience acute pain as well as chronic and recurring ball foot pain.

Other reasons for ball foot pain are very high heels, high impact activities that are done without wearing any supporting footwear and orthotics as well. Also aging is another factor in ball foot pain. In this case the cushion in our feet that is near the toes become thin. This thinning out of the fat pad in the metatarsal area can also cause ball foot pain.

In order to cure ball foot pain you need to know what is causing the pain. Any shoes with pointy toes should not be worn any longer. Also wearing footwear with high, wide toe spaces and a low wedge heel reduces the pressure on the foot and stops ball foot pain.

Other ways of relieving pressure to ball foot pain can be done in a variety of ways. There are many foot care products that can be used to help relieve ball foot pain. Orthotics which is designed to relieve ball foot pain will usually feature a metatarsal pad.

The orthotic is made so that the metatarsal pad is placed just behind the area of the metatarsal to relieve the pressure in the foot. Other items that you can use are gel metatarsal cushions and metatarsal bandages. When you wear these products with proper footwear you will experience an immediate relief. And when your feet stop hurting you immediately feel better.

By Michel De Silva

Oxycontin Verses Methadone for Pain Control

2009-01-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

I have multiple sclerosis. I worked for 30 yrs. with it. I am an R.N. and have always had severe pain in my lower legs and feet. I was on Darvacet-N for years. I had gradually increased the dose of that so that I took 2 100mg. cap. every day or b.i.d. Then I contracted HCV from a needle stick. I had to quit work because we moved halfway across the country. The Dr. who treated my HCV said he didn't know why a person with M.S. should need something for pain;. I became so run down I had to quit work permantly. The neurologist in NC where we moved to started me on neurontin and Oxycontin. He said it was time I was free of pain. I did need a little dose of Methadone along with the 20mg. of Oxycontin b.i.d. The Methadone was ordered at between 3 and 5 mg. per day. I was doing just fine with this and then we had a problem with my husband's job and had to move to Kentucky. Well, you would have thought I was the biggest drug addict of all time. We live in a town near the Mammoth Cave National Park. The Drs. here tell me it is against the law for them to order it. They have yelled at me and accused me of all manner of drug problems. I was eventually referred to a pain specialist who refused to order Oxycontin for me. Instead he ordered Methadone 10 mg. t.i.d. . It is not against the law for them to order it here. That is not the only lie I have been told to as a patient even when I tell them I'm an R.N. I finally found a Dr. who has ordered the Oxycontin 20 mg. b.i.d. for me. But, I am having a difficult time handling the pain. What dose of Oxycontin equals most closely a similiar dose of Methadone? Does Kentucky have more of a drug problem then any other particular State on an average of every 1000 people or so? The people here seem to think so. I am also told that Kentucky is a targeted State. Is this true? and if so what does that mean? I have heard that people with cancer can't even get anything for pain. Also I was told that the hospital was doling out Oxycontin in the emergency room of all places. This happened before I came. I found this out from medical personal and the public. Doesn't the public health department have enough funds to provide information about new powerfully addicting drugs to hospitals? And, if so, why not make the hospitals provide the department with written proof of inservices etc. and take accreditation away if they don't comply?

The above information thankfully comes from the steadyhealth.com at the following link.

Definition of Foot Pain

2008-12-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Your foot is made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and hundreds of muscles, nerves and ligaments. Given this complex structure and the amount of punishment feet endure every day, it's no wonder that foot pain is so common.

Foot pain can affect any part of your foot, from your toes to the Achilles tendon at the back of your heel. Some foot pain is simply an annoyance. But foot pain can also be more serious, especially if it affects your ability to work, play sports or get around easily. Minor foot pain usually responds well to home treatment, but disabling pain is likely to need medical attention. If not treated, some types of foot pain can lead to long-term damage or disability.

Self care :

Overuse problems usually develop a few hours or up to a day after exercise or activity. Though they can cause severe pain, they're not a medical emergency and often respond well to home treatments. For the best results, start these measures within 48 hours after a trauma or overuse injury :

Protection. Keep weight off your foot as much as possible.
Rest. Take a break from your normal activities.
Ice Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your foot for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
Elevation. Elevate your foot to help reduce swelling.

The above information thankfully comes from the Mayo Clinic.com at the following link.

Causes of Foot Pain

2008-12-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Most foot pain is due to poorly fitting shoes, injuries and overuse. But structural defects and conditions such as diabetes and arthritis also can lead to foot problems. Common causes of foot pain include :

Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Avulsion fracture: How is it treated?
Bone spurs
Broken ankle/broken foot
Broken toe
Bunions
Bursitis
Corns and calluses
Diabetic neuropathy
Flatfeet
Gout
Hammertoe and mallet toe
High heels or poorly fitting shoes
Ingrown toenails
Metatarsalgia
Morton's neuroma
Osteoarthritis
Peripheral neuropathy
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar warts
Poor posture or postural defects
Posterior tibial tendon rupture
Rheumatoid arthritis
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome

The above information thankfully comes from the Mayo Clinic.com at the following link.

Top of Foot Pain

2008-12-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

In spite of the fact that our feet carry our entire weight and constantly keep our balance, our feet are delicate structures. They are made from 26 bones and 33 joints. There is also a layer of 126 intertwining foot muscles, ligaments and nerves in that region. Sometimes an injury that is caused to that area will bring on top of foot pain.

Top of foot pain is a general term that is used to describe a pain in the top surface of the foot. Top of foot pain is a sharp pain that can be found on the top surface of the foot near the second toe. There are times when the pain can be found around the 3rd and 4th metatarsal.

There are 2 ways that you can get top of foot pain. Top of foot pain can be caused by a stress fracture or tendentious of a metatarsal tendon. When a high impact activity like running is carried out with injuries like heel pain, shin pain and other injuries, this combination can lead to top of the foot pain. There are times when top of the foot pain is so severe that standing for brief moments is agony.

The reason for this severe agony is a condition called over pronation. You can control the pain by wearing insoles. There are other factors that can lead to top of foot pain. Ganglions which are sacs of jelly-like fluid develop following a tear in the joint capsules. The Ganglions form on the top of the foot and are also reasons for top of foot pain.

The other causes are Morton’s Neuroma. This is an inflammation of a nerve that is between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones. Here the bones get cramped together and pinch a nerve that is between them. The pain from this can sometimes cause top of foot pain.

Also hammer toes can cause top of foot pain. In this problem one of the toes is bent sideways. This bent appearance causes your toes to appear misshapen. As a result of the toe being bent sideways it is difficult to wear shoes and sometimes it’s painful to walk. For this reason hammer toes can give rise to top of foot pain.

There are many other foot injuries that can lead to top of foot pain. The best way to help control this condition is to wear insoles which give some support and relief to your foot. The insoles treat the cause of the foot pain which in turn causes top of foot pain. The insoles prevent the pain from reoccurring.

The other way that you can help ease the effects of top of foot pain is by wearing foot wraps. These have been designed to provide relief to the top of foot pain. This foot wrap will allow you to move about without feeling a great amount of pain. By wearing a foot wrap you are not restricted to one place, and your pain is light.

By Michel De Silva

A podiatrist discusses Foot Pain

2008-12-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

If you consider that each stride an adult takes places 900 lbs. per square inch of pressure on the bottom of the feet it is almost a certain fact that everyone at some time in their life will suffer from some type of foot pain symptoms. Be it something simple like athletes foot, or an ingrown toenail to more complicated problems like a bone spur, hammertoe, bunion, or pinched nerve; from pain on the top of the foot, bottom of foot, side of foot, moving all the way up to chronic foot problems like diabetes or poor circulation.

The purpose of this site is to give a practical discussion of various foot, ankle and lower leg pain, how it occurs and what you can do to alleviate the problem.

The difference in this site compared to other medical sites is that the information contained here is written in simple, easy to understand language, along with easy to understand diagrams and pictures. Some of the subject matter even contain short video demonstrations. As a practicing podiatrist with over 25+ years in clinical practice

I discuss various foot problems in the same way that I discuss them on a daily basis with my patients; people just like you.

I talk about things that work, make suggestions of things you can try, including some alternative medicine therapies (in certain conditions) and steer you away from therapies and treatments that may not be as effective or in some cases even harmful.

What you will come to find as you read through the various topics is that many foot problems are avoidable using nothing more than a little common sense while other seemingly “not so serious” foot problems can have major catastrophic consequences.

So...if you know your problem use the navigation bar to the left to learn more, or if you are unsure of your problem use the "Foot Pain Finder" below.

The above information thankfully comes from the foot-pain-explained.com at the following link.

Exercises for Relief of Foot Pain

2008-11-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

Many types of foot pain can be relieved to a great degree by a few simple exercises. Weakness in the foot can cause falling arches, bunions and hammer toes. These are potentially very painful. However, you can get a lot of relief by a few easy exercises.

There are two arches in the foot. One runs across the foot on the bottom at the joints where the toes join the foot. The other is at right angles to the first and runs from the heel to the base of the first toe. These arches are supported by ligaments and muscles. There is not much you can do to strengthen ligaments, but exercising the muscles that support the arch are an important method to relieve your foot pain.

When they fall, your arches stretch out and become irritated. You can get pain directly from that. But, bone spurs can also develop and they can be very painful as well.

Bunions are formed when the sideways (transverse) arch falls. Then it pushes the sides of the joints outwards where they rub against the inside of the shoes. This builds up a callous.

When the lengthwise (longitudinal) arch falls, the change in the foot pulls up the base of the toes. This puts more pressure on the bottom of the base of the toes and the tops of the middle of the toes rubs on the inside of the shoes. This will cause increased pain and callous formation.

There are muscles that attach to different parts of the arch and tend to pull it up. When you strengthen those muscles you help keep the arch up.

One easy exercise can be done while you are watching television. Simply drop a few quarters on the carpet in front of your chair and practice picking them up with your foot. This will help keep the foot muscles strong and limber.

A second exercise is also easy. That is simply trying to 'make a fist' with your foot. Tighten up the muscles and hold it for the count of 5 and then release. As you get stronger, hold it for longer and longer. Do repetitions. As you get stronger, you should start getting some relief.

The final exercise is a bit hard to explain, but here goes. You need to roll your foot around and then go back the other way. So, you start by pulling your foot up. Next rotate it outwards - then down. Finally rotate it inwards and go back to the starting position. The trick is to do it against resistance. That way you will be building up the muscles in your lower leg that pull up on your arches.

Another type of pain may seem like it is causes by falling arches, but is actually from the tendons in the lower leg being tight.

You can improve this type of pain by stretching out the back of the lower leg. Do this by putting your foot up on a low stool while you are standing. Hold the foot so the big toe is pointed straight up. When you are in this position, pull your foot up so your big toe is trying to point toward your head. You should feel stretching in the back of your leg. After doing this for a few days, you should start feeling some relief of your foot pain.

Even if you are not having pain, these are great exercises to do to keep you from starting to get pain. So, you should be doing them even if you don't have foot pain right now.

If you still have pain after doing these exercises, you may need some arch supports in your shoes. If your problem is mild, you can buy them at any drug store. If the arches are very bad, your doctor may need to prescribe special ones.

Give the exercises a try. But if you still have no improvement in your pain after a week or so, you should see your doctor.

By Dr. Ron McCluskey

Foot Pain Cause and Treatment

2008-11-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Foot pain in the "ball of your foot," that area between your arch and the toes, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid portion of the foot.

Cause :

Sometimes, the foot pain is caused by a callus that forms on the bottom of your foot. A callus is a build up of skin that forms in response to excessive pressure over the bone. Normally, a callus is not painful, but the build-up of skin can increase the pressure and eventually make walking difficult.

Shoes that don't fit properly because they are too tight or too loose can cause foot pain. Tight shoes squeeze the foot and increase pressure; loose shoes let the foot slide and rub, creating friction.

Pain on the underside of the foot may indicate a torn ligament or inflammation of the joint. Your orthopedic surgeon can do some simple tests to assess joint stability.

Treatment :

Most of the time, practical measures can help ease foot pain.

Your doctor may recommend that you use a shoe insert (orthosis) as a kind of shock absorber, or that you wear a different kind of shoe.
Sometimes, simply buying shoes that fit properly can solve the problem. Shoes should have a wide toe box that doesn't cramp your foot. Heels should never be higher than 2-1/4" high.
Soaking your feet to soften calluses, then removing some of the dead skin with a pumice stone or callus file will also ease pressure.
Occasionally, surgery may be necessary to remove a bony prominence or correct a deformity.

The above information thankfully comes from the orthoinfo.aaos.org at the following link.

What Can You Do About Foot Pain?

2008-11-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Foot pain is NEVER normal. There are things that you can personally do to improve your foot pain. Following the suggesting in this article can help you overcome foot pain or no the steps necessary to do so.

Although many people suffer on a daily basis from foot pain, foot pain is never normal. In fact, most foot and ankle pain is caused by a problem that can be fixed, thus alleviating the pain. But the true question is what can you personally do for foot pain ? Is there ways you can deal with the pain? Do you need to continue to suffer from foot pain ?

The first step in dealing with foot pain is to care for your feet. Prevention of additional foot pain is imperative to keeping you functioning and walking normally. Your feet are the hardest working part of your body. They carry you wherever you need to go, whenever you need to go there and they do it for years and years. In fact, during your lifetime you will have traveled on your feet the equivalent of three trips around the entire world. You take, on average, 15,000 steps a day and will walk or run well over 75,000 miles in your lifetime. Caring for your precious feet and ankles is the best step to avoid foot pain and is a critical component in eliminating it as well.

To help you in this process, here are some steps you can take to keep your feet healthy and functioning :

First and foremost – do not ignore pain in your feet and ankles. Pain is never normal. Healthy feet don't have persistent pain or skin that looks unusual. If your pain doesn't subside quickly, please contact someone to alleviate the pain right away. The sooner you are seen and the feet examined, the quicker you can begin to make the corrections needed to get your feet healthy again. So often we see people who have waited a very long time and suffered needlessly - sometimes for years. How surprised they often are that a visit to a foot and ankle specialist can help alleviate this suffering.

Try to develop a habit of always checking your feet. A great time to do this is right after a shower or during a bath. If you start a habit of carefully drying your feet after bathing (pay special attention to the skin between your toes) you can quickly check your feet to see if you notice any changes. If you see nails that look unusual you might be seeing a potential fungus developing. If your skin is broken, cracked or an unusual color you are noticing abnormalities. Finally, if your foot is changing shape or you observe new growth you should make an appointment to be seen, so you can receive help in treating these conditions before they progress and become worse.

If you have diabetes it is especially important to check your feet very regularly and often. The American Diabetes Association recommends you check your feet at least once a day. We recommend that you check your feet preferable twice a day (when you put your shoes on or take your shoes off). In fact, we often recommend that you have someone else help you check your feet, because you may not be able to see or, most importantly, feel problems. Early detection and treatment may avoid potentially serious complications later.

See a podiatrist if you have a problem with your feet. Treating yourself can often cause problems or exacerbate existing problems. If you are diabetic you are at greater risk for foot problems so be sure to make an appointment to have your feet seen at least once a year. Protect those feet, for they will continue to carry you through this great world. You deserve to walk without pain.

By Brandt R. Gibson, DPM

Foot Pain Information and Prevention

2008-11-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Foot pain can be caused by bunions hammer toes plantar warts from pressure on the soles of your feet and fallen arches also called flat feet.

Foot pain is a really popular trouble. Foot pain in the "baseball of your foot," that region between your archway and the toes, is mostly called metatarsalgia. The pain normally centers on one or much of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot. About 75% in the U. S. get foot pain at some moment in their lives. Most foot pain is caused by shoes that do not equip decently or push the feet into stilted shapes (such as pointed-toe, high-heel shoes.

There are many trouble related with foot. Some trouble include cacked heels, heel pain, ingrown toe nail, foot Corns & callus, ankle sprains and archway pain. Other trouble include plantar fasciitis, thin feet, sprained ankle and Bunion Runners knee. Sometimes, the foot pain is caused by a callus that forms on the side of your foot. A callus is a build-up of rind that forms in reaction to undue force over the ivory. Normally, a callus is not traumatic, but the build-up of rind can increase the force and finally have walking hard. Chronic arthritis (osteoarthritis) at the base of the big toe (also called hallux rigidus) is extremely common.

Certain factors, such as thin feet, a lengthy large toe and a foot that rolls inward, are thought to predispose an individual to hallux rigidus. Most of the moment, pragmatic measures can assist alleviate foot pain. Preventive foot maintenance could cut the danger of amputation in folk with diabetes by 44 - 85. Some tips for preventing problems include moisturizers should be applied. Corns and calluses should be lightly pumiced and toenails trimmed brief and the edges filed to avert cutting adjoining toes. Sometimes, merely buying shoes that equip decently can resolve the trouble. Medication diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help overly recommended.

Foot Pain Treatment and Prevention Tips :

Lose weight if you need to.
Soaking your feet to soften calluses.
Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
Reduce activity until the problem improves.
Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure.
Surgery to remove the spur or the dense band of tissue.
Use a shoe insert (orthosis) as a kind of shock absorber.
Keep feet dry to avoid friction. This may help prevent corns and calluses.

By Juliet Cohen

Best Pain Meds for Giving Birth

2008-10-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

Resolved Question

I heard that the epidural hurts really bad is there any pain medications that they can give through an iv that's just as strong ?

I am 16 and due within the next two weeks, I am horrible with pain so I have to figure this out!!

~16 year old mommy to be~

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Who told you that the epidural hurts really bad ?

While insertion is somewhat uncomfortable, it is NOT usually painful (unless you have a really awful anesthesiologist!), and by the time your contractions are strong enough to need one, you won't really care about the discomfort.

The epidural is both the most effective AND the safest method of medical pain relief. IV narcotics are an option, but they don't really stop the pain, just dull it a little, and they can only be used fairly early in labor. (If given too close to delivery, they can make baby very sleepy, even cause him difficulties breathing.)

The above information thankfully comes from the answer.yahoo.com at the following link.

Sore Feet – Foot Pain – The Simple Facts and the Cures

2008-10-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Foot Pain :

Sore feet is a very common problem that effects millions across the planet Earth, making simple things such as standing, walking, running, or working, almost a nightmare, because of the pain and discomfort involved.

What causes Sore Feet – Foot Pain :

The most frequent cause of heel or arch pain is plantar fasciitis. This is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. A symptom is sharp pain in the arch when getting up in the morning or after prolonged inactivity. Wearing shoes with little arch or heel support, too much physical activity, going barefoot and being overweight all can contribute to the condition. People with flat feet or with very high arches that flatten when they stand up are at higher risk for foot pain problems.

Sore Feet – Foot Pain – Symptoms :

Foot pain can start after you have stood for a long time, or while walking or working. My feet got so bad that they ached day and night. At work I got to the point where I could hardly walk, and when I rested they continued aching for a long time. The pain got so severe it threatened my job, my family activities and almost everything that I enjoyed doing. The first symptoms are often what feels like a burning or hot foot, this often occurs before developing into a foot pain problem.

Sore Feet – Foot Pain – Treatment :

The first step in treating foot pain is usually to take a trip to the local store and buy some inserts, like Doctor Shoals. If you foot pain continues, visit a podiatrist. The podiatrist may give you a shot of 'cortizone' in the foot to stop the pain, or he/she may recommend that you have custom 'orthotic inserts' made. There are numerous creams and rub's you can also try, but I never had any real relief with them, it seemed they warmed or heated the skin or made my feet smell good, but the creams etc never penetrated the skin or made it's way to the inflamed areas. Also, you may be placed on medication to relieve the pain if it's severe.

Sore Feet – Foot Pain – Prevention :

Treat your feet good and they will probably be good to you. Buy and wear shoes that are not only comfortable but ones that have arch support and cushioning. If the shoes are hard to walk on or provide little cushioning, buy some inserts like Doctor Shoals. The biggest factor I found in my battle with foot pain is weight. If you are overweight you are asking for foot pain.

Sore Feet – Foot Pain :

My Personal Story and solutions - I have worked at the same job site since 1978, and my job requires constant walking and standing all day, and the floors are hard where I work, just tile over concrete. My feet started aching over time, at first I hardly noticed it. I would finish my day at work, and notice my feet were kind a sore. Over the next year or so, by the end of the day my feet were aching bad by the end of the work day. I started looking around for different types of shoes and sneakers, and started buying inserts. The new shoes and inserts worked fine for a few months or so, then the pain started coming back, and got much worse. I made an appointment to see a local podiatrist.

The first thing my podiatrist did was take some x rays of my feet, what came back was not pretty. She showed me where my feet had large areas that showed up very white on the film. She said all of this was areas that were inflammed and painful, and she was right, by this time I could barely walk. The next thing my podiatrist did was measure my feet and made plaster casts. From these castings she ordered special inserts for my shoes 'orthotic inserts'. These were not cheap, this was almost 10 years ago, and they costed around $300 for the pair. A couple weeks later my orthopedic inserts arrived, they were hard and were made out of fiberglass.

They didn't bend or flex any, but were molded to fit the shape of my feet. After a few days of walking in them my feet felt wonderful, all of my foot pain went away. I was living again with no foot pain for a couple years, when suddenly my pain started returning with a vengance. I was wearing my orthotic inserts, wearing good shoes, wearing doctor shoals under my custom inserts and my feet were aching more and more. In time I could hardly walk, my job performance and lifestyle started going downhill fast. When I got home from work, all I wanted to do was sit, and even them my feet ached badly for hours. By this time my weight had ballooned to over 300 pounds. I went on a diet and in a years time, I had lost slightly over 100 pounds. My foot pain completely left, and to this day, almost 3 years later, I still have none. So I know from personal experience, watch your weight, that is probably the biggest factor in causing foot pain problems.

By Robert W. Benjamin

Arch Foot Pain

2008-10-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Our feet are the secondary most important part of our bodies. As our feet take the entire weight of the body they must be taken care of properly. Sometimes we are unable to see that our feet get the necessary care due to factors beyond our control. Internal factors like plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome and even osteoarthritis can lead to a condition that is known as arch foot pain

Many of us will experience arch foot pain as a burning sensation under the long arch of our foot. The causes of arch foot pain can be running, walking on hard surfaces, also being on our feet all day can also lead to arch foot pain. The other contributing factor is shoes that do not provide adequate support to the foot and ankle region.

The other causes of arch foot pain are of a medical condition. They are plantar fasciitis which is the straining of the ligament that provides support to the arch. The other is tarsal tunnel syndrome which is a pinched nerve at the ankle. This pinching sends pain towards the arch foot region.

You can also get arch foot pain from flat foot or a pronated foot. The latter two conditions are caused by structural imbalances in the feet. You can also get arch foot pain from osteoarthritis. This is arthritis in the bones and joints in the midfoot region. This osteoarthritis is what causes arch foot pain.

There are some ways that you can treat arch foot pain. Arch foot pain can be treated by ice at the beginning of the pain to reduce the amount of swelling that has been caused. Later on anti inflammatory gels and heat applications may be used. Any activity that puts a strain on the arch foot muscles should be avoided. Therefore if your work necessitates that you should be standing on your feet all day, then you should see if you can do your work seated.

Activities like running and walking should be modified. You might want to consider taking up other activities like swimming or cycling until your arch foot pain goes away. The wearing of supportive shoes is also ideal in the treatment of arch foot pain.

To help cure you of arch foot pain you could consult with a podiatrist. Early treatment can alleviate any suffering that you will have to undergo. You will be given advice about your footwear, stretching exercise that you can try for your calf muscles and the arch of the foot if the symptoms of arch foot pain are mild. Your podiatrist may recommend that you wear foot orthotics. By talking with a podiatrist you can save yourself a lot of the agony of untreated arch foot pain.

By Michel De Silva

My Athletic Child Has Foot Pain

2008-10-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Heel pain can stop an athletic child, as increased activity and running only makes the pain worse. If there was a way to keep your child active, wouldn't you want to know about it ? Learn more and then seek help in improving the pain.

As childhood obesity skyrockets, video game consoles seek for ways to make their games "active" and obesity related disease such as diabetes is at epidemic levels, athletics is a blessing to many children. Since children are less likely today (compared to 20 years ago) to run outside, ride bikes or play sports in the streets, more children are becoming active through sports from soccer and football to gymnastics and dance. Since activity is imperative for health, this increased activity has improved the health of many children. Foot pain, especially heel or ankle pain can interfere and even discourage continue participation in the sports.

When a child between the age of 9-14 in girls or 9-16 in boys presents to my office complaining of either heel pain or ankle pain, the cause is usually the same. The entity is commonly known as Severs Disease or Calcaneal Apophysitis. Since this is a disease of growing bone, it only presents in children during the active stages of bony growth. Let me explain some.

In a growing bone, there is a region called the physis that consists of cartilaginous tissue instead of calcified bone. As the bone grows, this allows expansion and calcification at the edges to help produce this growth. As the bone reaches full growth potential, the physis is calcified and replaced by healthy bone. This physis, however can be affected by pressure or tension and can become painful.

In calcaneal apophysitis, the growth plate of the heel bone (or calcaneus) receives tension during sports from the Achilles tendon (the strongest tendon in the body). This pressure causes increased stress, swelling and associated pain to the posterior heel area close to where the Achilles tendon attaches. The pain is caused by stretching of the physis or apophysis of the heel from a tight Achilles tendon during running. This pain can be problematic and significantly interfere with activities, and over the years has even stopped many from playing the sports they love. Although the severe pain may limit activities for years, it ultimately resolves when the bone stops growing. This is no longer the case. There are treatment options that can alleviate the pain and maintain the active lifestyle required to help our children remain healthy.

Calcaneal apophysitis or Severs Disease was once a disease of boys playing soccer. With the increased competition levels in all sports including dance and gymnastics, we are encountering this problem in boys and girls when they are active. Think calcaneal apophysitis whenever your child is in the age range of 9 - 16 and complains of heel pain, especially when running or being active in sports. Get treatment from a foot and ankle specialist and help alleviate the pain associated with the exercise our children enjoy. Don't make them stop their sport because of foot pain, help them resolve the pain while they await calcification of the growth plate and complete resolution of their symptoms.

By Brandt R. Gibson, DPM

Do Not Forget the Risks of Methadone in Pain Management

2008-09-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

The synthetic opioid methadone has been used for many years to treat opioid (commonly, heroin) dependence. However, it is being used increasingly for patients dealing with moderate to severe pain, and often in the setting of a terminal illness.

And it is an effective drug, with a convenient dosing schedule and a relatively low cost. But it can interact with numerous other medications, and act very differently in different patients. The death of the son of Anna Nicole Smith was linked to methadone use, and because of other deaths and serious adverse events, in November 2006 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put forth the following Public Health Advisory: “Methadone use for pain control may result in death and life-threatening changes in breathing and heartbeat.”

It is therefore important that a patient who has never taken opioids begin with a low dose, and slowly increase as appropriate. It may take up to a week for the body to fully adjust to a particular dose so precaution should be taken when a patient requests to take more methadone for break through pain. It might be better to use a different drug which is metabolized more quickly for breakthrough pain in patients on methadone; for example, morphine or oxycodone. Patients with liver disease and those on sedating drugs must be monitored very carefully.

Additionally, methadone has been associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The risk of these arrhythmias increases with frequent high dosages of methadone and the intake of medications which may affect the patient’s level of potassium and magnesium (such as “water pills”). Some anti-depressant and anti-hypertension medications can also cause irregularity of heart rhythm in patients taking methadone.

It is important that physicians and pharmacists take an active role in overseeing medication usage in patients with complicated pain. Patients, family members and caregivers must be educated about methadone dosing, and what to watch for in terms of monitoring for response or side effects. In the case of terminal patients in a hospice setting, it is important the patient be able to take the methadone; sometimes this requires changing it to a liquid form, or some other formulation, if a patient has difficulty swallowing. And there are medications a terminally ill patient might no longer need; once such drugs are discontinued, the patient might require a change in methadone dosing.

Pain is a prevalent complaint, and health care providers must actively participate in relieving the suffering such pain brings, hopefully with the result of improving the quality of life for the patient and the patient’s loved ones. This should be the driving force in the care of the chronically ill and the terminally ill. But at the same time, patient, doctor, nurse, and pharmacist must be aware of the potential dangers in the drugs used to treat these patients.

The FDA can issue advisory statements, but the patient and the health care providers must work together to assure each other that the treatment does not become as dangerous as the disease.

By Dr. Mark Borigini

Methadone Facts ( Methadone for Pain Control )

2008-09-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

When methadone is mentioned, most people tend to think of it as a treatment for heroin or drug addiction in various detox programs and are incredibly surprised to learn that it is also used for treating pain many times in relation to various forms of cancer. Methadone pain management has proven effective for not only cancer, but other chronic states. Methadone for pain control is very common because it is a synthetic opioid, which means that is has similar analgesic qualities as morphine despite its having a very different structure.

Methadone is a highly lipohilic molecule, which means that it can be successfully administered in various ways. Methadone has been approved for intramuscular, oral, rectal, intravenous, subcutaneous, and epidural use. It may also be administered intrathecally. Methadone for pain control is very effective, partially because the drug is quickly absorbed in the stomach and rapidly distributed to the liver, kidneys, muscles, lungs, and brain.

In many cases, methadone for pain control is given to patients who have an allergy to morphine. However, because the drug is synthetic, there is very little chance of an allergy to it. It is also more widely used today because it is less expensive than morphine.

Typically, patients taking methadone for pain management take it on their own orally. Methadone is stronger than morphine, so it is important to note that a methadone dosage may be lower than a typical morphine dose. Each dosage usually alleviates pain for about 6-8 hours, but it does leave the body very slowly and can build up in the body over a period of extended time.

Although methadone is a highly effective drug, it is not without side effects. Taking the drug can result in very serious side effects or even death, so it is not a medication to consider lightly. Less serious methadone side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, constipation, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a dry mouth. More serious side effects include severe drowsiness, slowed breathing, skin rash, hives, itching, severe confusion, hallucinations, or changes in the heartbeat. The drug can also affect a person s ability to think, react, or communicate.

Methadone Pain Management

Taking the medication improperly will worsen any side effects. It is especially important to pay attention to respiratory patterns when taking methadone as, like any narcotic, it can slow the breathing rate. Suddenly stopping methadone dosages can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Combining methadone with alcohol can result in very dangerous side effects, or even death. If a patient believes that the drug is not working, it is best to immediately discuss these thoughts with a doctor.

The above information thankfully comes from the onlinemedicineinfo.com at the following link.

Pain – Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

2008-09-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Does your heel hurt every time you walk or stand on it ? When you play sports, do you have to continuously call time outs because of heel pain ? When you wake up in the morning, do you experience excruciating pain in your heel ? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a foot spur and need treatment. Foot heel pain treatments vary as to their effectiveness and if you know what they are the faster you will recover.

Causes of Foot Heel Pain

Many different things can lead to heel pain. The first step in foot heel pain treatment is to see your doctor or a podiatrist. Your doctor can determine why you are experiencing heel pain and work with you to determine which foot heel pain treatment plan is right for you.

Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the fascia (the band of tissues that connects your heel to your toes) becomes inflamed. This can happen from too much jumping or running, arthritis, or wearing poor-fitted shoes. Foot heel pain treatment for plantar fasciitis includes : specific exercises, rest, and/or heel inserts. If the pain is unbearable, your doctor may recommend medication to reduce the swelling.
Stone Bruise. Something as simple as a stone or rock may be the cause of your heel pain. Sometimes when we step too hard on a solid object, we can bruise the pads of our heels. The foot heel pain treatment for a stone bruise is rest, walk on the ball of your foot, and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The pain will gradually go away.
Tendonitis. Wear and tear can negatively affect the tendons in the foot, especially the Achilles tendon. When this happens, the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, and pain behind the heel occurs. The foot heel pain treatment for this condition includes stretching exercises, heel inserts, pain medication, (Advil or Tylenol) or wearing open-backed shoes.
Heel Spur. Your doctor or podiatrist will be able to point out if you have a spur by an x-ray. Causes of your heel pain could include inadequate flexibility in your calf muscles, lack of arch support, being overweight, suddenly increasing physical activity, and spending too much time on your feet. Treatment can involve any of or all of the following remedies as in rest, ice application, stretching, taping the heel for support, and orthonics for you shoes.

Foot Heel Pain Treatment: According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), 72% of people who used stretching exercises to lesson heel pain, had the pain subside. Do not ignore heel pain. It could be an early sign of a variety of serious conditions. That is why early treatment of your heel pain is so valuable. And the good news is, most foot heel pain treatment plans are easy and can be conducted at home. Surgery is hardly ever necessary unless you let it get out of hand.

By Ray Attebery

Methadone Use for Pain Control May Result in Death and Life Threatening Changes in Breathing and Heart Beat

2008-09-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

FDA has received reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients taking methadone. These deaths and life-threatening side effects have occurred in patients newly starting methadone for pain control and in patients who have switched to methadone after being treated for pain with other strong narcotic pain relievers. Methadone can cause slow or shallow breathing and dangerous changes in heart beat that may not be felt by the patient.

Prescribing methadone is complex. Methadone should only be prescribed for patients with moderate to severe pain when their pain is not improved with other non-narcotic pain relievers. Pain relief from a dose of methadone lasts about 4 to 8 hours. However methadone stays in the body much longer from 8 to 59 hours after it is taken. As a result, patients may feel the need for more pain relief before methadone is gone from the body. Methadone may build up in the body to a toxic level if it is taken too often, if the amount taken is too high, or if it is taken with certain other medicines or supplements.

To prevent serious complications from methadone, health care professionals who prescribe methadone should read and carefully follow the methadone (Dolophine) prescribing information PDF document

FDA is issuing this public health advisory to alert patients and their caregivers and health care professionals to the following important safety information :

Patients should take methadone exactly as prescribed. Taking more methadone than prescribed can cause breathing to slow or stop and can cause death. A patient who does not experience good pain relief with the prescribed dose of methadone, should talk to his or her doctor.
Patients taking methadone should not start or stop taking other medicines or dietary supplements without talking to their health care provider. Taking other medicines or dietary
Health care professionals and patients should be aware of the signs of methadone overdose. Signs of methadone overdose include trouble breathing or shallow breathing; extreme tiredness or sleepiness; blurred vision; inability to think, talk or walk normally; and feeling faint, dizzy or confused. If these signs occur, patients should get medical attention right away.

Supplements may cause less pain relief. They may also cause a toxic buildup of methadone in the body leading to dangerous changes in breathing or heart beat that may cause death.

FDA recently approved new prescribing information for methadone products approved for pain control. The information in the new prescribing information is based on a review of the scientific literature completed by FDA. A Medication Guide for patients is planned.

The above information thankfully comes from the fda.gov at the following link.

What are common negative effects of Methadone for pain after a while?

2008-08-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have been taking methadone for IP ( Intractible Pain ) for a while and wanted to know if the negative side effects I am experiencing, along with the fact that it is not working properly is normal.

Answer :

Here is what I found :

Side effects associated with methadone are similar to those incurred with other mu-opioid agonists, including pruritus, nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, and respiratory depression. Excess sweating (diaphoresis) and flushing are common with oral methadone dosing. Caution should be taken with initiation of therapy and dosage increases because severe toxicities may not become apparent for two to five days. In a study of patients converted to methadone therapy in an outpatient setting, 20 of 29 participants experienced some degree of toxicity, most frequently mild drowsiness, during initial titration.29 Side effects such as sedation and respiratory depression are increased when methadone is combined with alcohol or other drugs. An Australian study 30 found benzodiazepines present in 74 percent of deaths related to methadone and urged particular caution when methadone was prescribed with benzodiazepines.

As far as effectiveness, Un like morphine, it usually is not necessary to adjust the dosage of methadone in patients with renal insufficiency. The duration of analgesia is approximately three to six hours when methadone therapy is initiated, and this duration typically extends to eight to 12 hours with repeated dosing. In a study of cancer patients, an average of 2.4 doses per day was required to maintain adequate pain control.

The above information thankfully comes from the id.answer.yahoo.com at the following link.

Crooks Plow Into Pharmacy, Steal Pain Meds

2008-08-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

A pair of crooks recently turned an area pharmacy drive-through into a plow-through when they crashed a front loader into the building and stole prescription drugs, according to Jacksonville police.

On Tuesday, construction workers were laying bricks to fix the gaping hole created during a burglary at the Premier Pharmacy in Springfield.

According to a police report, a pair of crooks broke into the pharmacy on Eighth Street and left more than just a mess behind.

The thieves stole a front end loader from a nearby construction site, plowed through the fence and drove the construction equipment up the street to the pharmacy.

When officer arrived, they found the front loader in front of the pharmacy drive through.

The entire burglary was caught on tape. Surveillance images of the crime shows that once the culprits were inside they broke into a cabinet, swiped thousands of dollars worth of prescription pain meds and stuffed them into a bag before walking off.

More than $13,000 worth of oxycodone and morphine, two popular painkillers that are often abused or resold on the streets, were stolen in the heist.

Police also found some of the clothes the pair was seen wearing in the video in an alley nearby, but both thieves were wearing dark colored masks throughout the tape leaving little information for detectives.

Investigators said they questioned one man who they suspected was involved in the burglary, but that man was not arrested or charged.

The above information thankfully comes from the msnbc.com at the following link.

Multiple dose Gabapentin Attenuates Cutaneous Pain and Central Sensitisation but not Muscle Pain in Healthy Volunteers.

2008-08-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

Various muscle pains constitute a large clinical problem, both for patients and clinicians. Gabapentin is an established therapy in neuropathic pain and reduces cutaneous pain in healthy volunteers. Gabapentin in combination with other analgesics reduces post-operative pain. No data exist on the effect of gabapentin on muscle pain. This study investigates the effect of gabapentin on muscle and cutaneous pain in healthy volunteers. Sixteen healthy volunteers, 8 male/8 female, were included in this double-blind three-session crossover study comparing the effects of 0, 1200, 1800 and 2600 mg (pre-treatment, titrated over 4 doses) gabapentin and placebo. Muscle pain was induced by infusing 0.5 ml of hypertonic saline into the anterior tibial muscle. Simultaneously, subjects graded pain on a computerized visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10). Total (AUC, VAS*duration in s) and maximal pain (VAS(max)) were assessed. Areas of local and referred pain were measured. Further, continuous intracutaneous electrical stimulation was applied to the forearm. Current was increased until pain intensity 5/10 or until subjects reached a cut-off of 70 mA. Spontaneous pain (VAS 0-10), areas of secondary hyperalgesia to pinprick (cm2) and mechanical pain threshold (g) within this area were assessed. Gabapentin pre-treatment reduced sensitivity to electrical induction of skin pain by 14%, Secondary hyperalgesia was induced, but areas were reduced after pre-treatment,volunteers.

by Segerdahl M.

Foot Pain

2008-08-04T11:21:00.001-07:00

Our feet are an important part of our bodies. Even though they are smaller than the rest of the body baring the hands, our feet take our entire weight. The foot region is made up of 26 bones and 33 joints. There is a layer of 126 intertwining foot muscles, ligaments and nerves. Our feet helps to support our weight, act as a shock absorber, propel us forward and the also maintain our balance on uneven surfaces. There are however times when we get a foot pain.

Usually we will experience foot pain in one of three different places. They are the toes, the front of the foot and at the back of the foot. The foot pain that originates in the toes is caused mainly by the fact that a great many of us wear shoes that do not fit us properly or that constricts the toes painfully.

The other area of foot pain is in the front part of our feet. This area is called the forefoot. Any foot pain that comes from that area usually involves one of certain bone groups. The first groups of bones is the metatarsal bones. These are the five long bones that extend from the front part of our foot’s arch to the bones in our toes.

The next group of bones that can cause foot pain is that of the sesamoid bones. These are the two small bones that are embedded at the top of the first metatarsal bone. This bone is connected to your big toe.

The other place that we can experience foot pain is in the back area of our feet. Any foot pain that we may feel begins at the back of the foot. It then extends across from the heel area and across the sole of the foot all the way to the ball of the foot.

From these three areas of foot pain we can experience chronic and severe types of foot pain. In both of the foot pain conditions the problem is made even worse by the fact that the lower back is affected as well.

There are about 16 different types of foot pain that we can get. Each of these has different symptoms but they all require a podiatrist’s advice. Sometimes to relieve the pain simple surgery may be required.

The various types of foot pain are corns, calluses, ingrown toe nails, bunions on the big toe and bunionettes on the little toe, Morton's neuroma, hammertoe, Metatarsalgia or ball of the foot pain, Metatarsal stress fracture, sesamoiditis, Plantar fasciitis, Bursitis of the heel, Haglund's deformity or pump bump, Stress fracture or heel spurs, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, Flat feet or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, High arches or hollow feet and Achilles tendonitis.

Whether we are suffering from a simple foot pain or a more severe foot pain the most sensible course of action that we can take is to see what our podiatrist has to say and follow the treatment.

By Michel De Silva

Prescribing Methadone for Pain

2008-07-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Of all the strong narcotic analgesics in our formulary used to treat severe or intractable pain, methadone (Dolophine, Lilly) is surrounded by a mystique perhaps greater than any other agonist medication available for use legally. Unlike other powerful opiates or opioids, like meperidine (Demerol,) morphine sulfate, fentanyl (Duragesic transdermal system,) oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin) or hydromorphone (Dilaudid,) methadone has been singled out as the only acceptable opioid for use in detoxification from narcotic addiction. Methadone is also the only narcotic approved in the United States for use in maintenance programs designed to treat opiate or opioid dependent individuals. Within these programs, most often heroin (or other narcotic) addicts are given single daily dosages of a form of methadone called Methadose. The purpose here is to prevent the addict from going through a withdrawal or abstinence syndrome upon cessation of use of his or her narcotic drug of preference. This is done in federally licensed NTP's (or Narcotic Treatment Programs) located virtually everywhere in the nation.

Like it or not, accept it or not, a powerful stigma has been attached to methadone as a result of its status as the only legally approved drug for management of opiate and/or opioid addiction. Methadone also happens to be a superb and most efficacious medication for treatment of intractable pain. And here is where a figurative line begins to blur. It is a commonly accepted fact that different people respond differently to one medication over another, despite the fact that two or more drugs may be generally regarded as effective analgesics for use in cancer or other severe pain which presents as difficult to control. Hence, it should be no surprise that for some, no drug is superior to methadone in medication resistant cases of pain management.

Only a few years ago, private practice physicians were either outright prohibited, or simply discouraged from prescribing methadone in the course of their medical practice for the purpose of managing or relieving pain and associated suffering within their patients so unfortunate as to be plagued with this horrific malady. Laws in this regard varied from state-to-state, further complicating the issue. And doctors had no real choice but to order some "second best" medication for these patients. It would be impossible now to calculate or even estimate just how much needless suffering resulted from the presence and enforcement of these laws, delineated to "protect" us.

Today, circumstances have changed, although to what degree remains a matter of much discord and debate. It is now legal throughout the United States for any licensed medical doctor to prescribe methadone for any patient deemed to require it. However, the system which governs this prescribing is still replete with complexities. For example, let us cite, in everyday language, the plethora of requirements faced by a General Practitioner devoted to providing comfort and increased quality of life for a patient suffering with severe pain. Our mythic patient in this context clearly responds best to methadone; not at all an unusual factor, rather one routinely encountered in pain management. Our doctor must, as a precursor to treatment, begin by demonstrating, in writing, why methadone would be preferable to any other very potent narcotic agonist. By its very nature, this is a volatile declaration, extremely vulnerable to debate. So in order for our physician to undertake his preferred course of therapy, he or she must be well prepared to defend this decision should some highly zealous drug enforcement personnel elect to vehemently disagree. This is the sort of thing that can cause a license to practice medicine to be suspended or revoked. Or at the least, it can be a position phenomenally expensive to defend. In all likelihood, the best evidence our practitioner will have that methadone indeed should be used as opposed to another strong opiate will be, quite singularly, the testimonial of the suffering patient.

One "brighter side," albeit to a geographically-dependent, potentially dim side as well is the advent of medical operations devoted exclusively to the practice of pain management. This can mean "problem solved" for patients living in large metropolitan areas. Ah, but if you suffer with severe pain (and most assuredly if it's from a cause other than cancer, the whole nightmare begins anew for those in rural areas.

So what is the promulgating factor, the driving force behind this didactic governmental edict? The primary concern of the Drug Enforcement Administration with regard to methadone is diversion e.g. large scale, illegal reappropriation of supplies from legitimate channels to the black market. This whole-hearted bureaucratic mindset emerges not because there truly exists a large, great and danger-ridden diversion issue with methadone. In truth and conversely, methadone is not the hyperfocal supertarget of misuse many would have you believe. Because methadone blocks, at opiate receptors in the brain, other narcotics from being even close to fully and normally effective was in great part the reason it was chosen as the detox and maintenance drug of choice. For this very same reason, seasoned narcotic addicts do not particularly care for it. Certainly methadone can and is a drug subject to misuse, and its control status on Schedule II is appropriate. However, for purposes akin to "getting high," devoted druggies would quickly and readily cleave onto virtually any other very potent narcotic pursuant to the realization of that endeavor.

The remaining question? Whom, just exactly whom is left to most likely suffer from the benefits of laws governing the use and distribution of methadone? If you're a severe pain sufferer who obtains superior analgesic effects from methadone, you.

By David J. Wilmont, M.D.

Prescribing Methadone for Pain Management in End of Life Care

2008-07-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Methadone hydrochloride is an effective, inexpensive, and relatively safe opioid to use in the treatment of patients with chronic pain. It is especially effective in management of pain during the final stages of life, as it is the only long-acting analgesic available in liquid form. However, because methadone has a long half-life, individual wide variations, and potential for accumulation and overdosage, physicians must judiciously and conscientiously prescribe it. Also, they should closely monitor patients during the titration phase and educate them with regard to basic pharmacologic properties and potential side effects. A plan to start at low doses and proceed slowly is applicable to methadone.

Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions for which people seek medical treatment; it affects more than 85 million Americans. In end-of-life care, in which the primary focus is the reduction or elimination of suffering, a significant number of patients still suffer with uncontrolled pain. In recent years, healthcare consumers have become more sophisticated, demanding better pain control. Therefore, physicians need to be familiar and competent with the various treatment options and pharmacologic management of their patients with chronic pain.

Although the primary responsibility of physicians is to nurture the physical and psychological well-being of their patients, it is also important that they serve as stewards of financial resources. In the past several years, there has been resurgence in the understanding of the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties of methadone hydrochloride. This resurgence, coupled with methadone's low cost, has led to increased use of this agent in the treatment of chronic pain.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist developed in the late 1940s. Historically, it has been used in the treatment of patients with narcotic addiction and heroin maintenance since the 1960s. Although substantial information exists regarding such use of methadone, only limited data are available with respect to pain management. It is only within the past decade that there has been a renewed focus on its use in the treatment of patients with chronic pain.

Initial interest in methadone for pain management emerged in the care of terminally ill patients with cancer, but methadone recently has been gaining recognition in management of nonmalignant pain. Methadone is achieving greater acceptance in end-of-life care because of its unique characteristic as the sole long-acting opioid in liquid form. Its wide spectrum of absorption and formulations allows administration using every route available: oral, sublingual, rectal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, epidural, intrathecal, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.

By John F. Manfredonia, DO

When to see a doctor about Foot Pain

2008-07-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Pain that occurs immediately after an injury can be intense. Yet every injury isn't a medical emergency, and even painful injuries sometimes can be helped by home care.

Call for immediate medical help or go to the emergency room if you :

See an exposed bone or tendon
Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot
Have severe pain with swelling

You are likely to have an X-ray if :

You aren't able to put weight on your foot
A careful exam reveals that your midfoot and certain bones are painful

Call your doctor right away if you have diabetes and notice :

A cut or sore on your foot that is red, swollen, warm to the touch or oozing pus
A wound on your foot that isn't healing or is getting worse

Schedule an office visit if :

Swelling doesn't go down in two or three days
You have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, tenderness, or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C)
You have ankle swelling, stiffness and pain that are worse in the morning or after you've been active.
You have burning, tingling or numbness in your feet.

The above information thankfully comes from the Mayo Clinic.com at the following link.

Methadone...Pain Management and Abuse

2008-07-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Methadone prescriptions have been on the rise in Oregon because it is a cheap and effective pain reliever. It's usually associated with people coming off heroin addictions, but methadone is also a good, but very addictive alternative (with less side effects) to opium/morphine based pain relievers like OxyContin. Opiates provide users with a euphoric rush, while methadone at prescription levels does not though if taken at higher levels, it can give a sense of well-being. So, while there are risks of methadone abuse (and it can be a very difficult addiction to kick), they are generally considered lower than with opiate pain relievers.

The Oregon Health Plan (OHP), looking for smart ways to stretch its funding, approved the prescribing of methadone a few years ago it costs just 10-15 percent of what OxyContin does per dose. As money has become an even greater concern for OHP and the drumbeat regards OxyContin abuse has increased, little wonder methadone prescriptions and methadone abuse are on the rise. By the by, the VA has also increased its use of methadone for similar reasons...I don't know if its patients' rate of abuse is up.

Instead of emphasizing efforts to address the mental issues of patients who are in pain, some authorities are simply pressuring doctors who appear to be aggressively prescribing pain relievers. As you can probably tell, this is a continuation of yesterday's thoughts on how agencies fighting drug abuse end up scaring doctors out of prescribing pain relievers for suffering patients.

Here are a couple excerpts of typical scary and misleading article on how methadone use is adversely impacting us in Oregon.

In 2002, methadone killed 103 Oregonians two more than heroin making it the state’s most lethal drug.

Use of the drug has seen a dramatic spike.

In Southern Oregon, for instance, methadone use grew more than threefold during the past three years, according to data compiled by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. In January 2001, Jackson and Josephine county pharmacies sold about 1,000 grams of methadone per month. By midsummer 2003, they were selling 3,500 grams per month.

Since methadone is being prescribed more in place of other drugs, are deaths from those other drugs down ? Do medical experts doubt the proper medical justification for any of the methadone prescriptions ? How many of the overdoses were accidental folks seeking a high instead of taking the drug as recommended ? How many of the overdoses were successful suicide attempts? Since chronic pain can bring with it depression, are OHP doctors doing the necessary psychological evaluation of patients to determine if they need help to relieve both physical and mental pain?

Without answers to these types of questions, the methadone death statistics are not in context and may be no cause for concern.

Lisa Taylor of Eagle Point lost her brother to methadone in the spring. She knew something wasn’t right when they talked on the phone the night before he died.

“He sounded funny,” she says. “I thought he was intoxicated.”

The next day, she got a call from her brother’s landlord, who said, “You need to come here real quick.”

Jackson County sheriff’s deputies found Taylor’s body and a prescription bottle for 60 methadone tablets, filled two days earlier. Only five pills were left in the bottle.

“Folks are feeling better after they take one,” said Tim Pike, a Jackson County sheriff’s detective and a deputy medical examiner. “And they think, ‘If one made me feel better, two or three will make me feel even better.’ For people who are not used to it, a couple could be lethal.”

Lisa Taylor's brother didn't take 2 or 3 extra methadone, he took around 50...that's not an accidental overdose. People develop a tolerance to methadone over time, but 50 will be lethal to just about everybody. It's sad that the instructions from the doctor, the directions on the label of the pill bottle, and information sheet provided with the prescription weren't enough to protect the victim from killing himself.

If the AP was attempting to be balanced, the article would have also gone into the victim's state of mind, any history of depression or mental illness (and how the doctors were addressing those issues), the amount of pain he'd been in, etc. Instead, the article is written as if the suicide might be the OHP's fault but provides no evidence to back up the insinuations. If that's the best AP can do, our state's newspapers shouldn't purchase and publish such articles.

UPDATE: Here I am criticizing the quality of the AP article, and I not once but twice in the opening paragraph of this post (since fixed) made a huge error saying that methadone was not addictive. WRONG! I'm surprised that brain cramp wasn't fatal, and still can't believe I didn't catch the error.

The above information thankfully comes from the roguepundit.typepad.com at the following link.