How to Recognize Arthritis Pain

Arthritis Pain - June 23, 2022

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, causing pain and inflammation. It is a common condition, and there are many different types of arthritis.

If you are experiencing joint pain, it’s important to know how to recognize arthritis pain so that you can get the treatment you need. This article will discuss the different symptoms of arthritis pain and how to treat them.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Let’s go through some of the most common symptoms of arthritis:

Pain

The most common symptom of arthritis is also known as arthralgia. It can range from a mild ache to severe pain that limits your ability to move and perform activities of daily living. Arthritis pain is often described as a deep, throbbing, or dull ache. The pain may be worse in the morning or after periods of rest. It can also be aggravated by too much activity or weather changes.

Stiffness

Joint stiffness is another common symptom, especially in the morning. The stiffness may last for several hours and can prevent you from moving your joints through their full range of motion.

Deformity

In some cases, arthritis can cause deformity in joints. This may result in visible changes, such as knobby fingers (called Heberden’s nodes) or a hunched back (called kyphosis). Arthritis can also cause the nails to become brittle and thin.

Fatigue

Arthritis can cause fatigue, which makes it difficult to do everyday activities.

Inflammation and Swelling

Arthritis can cause inflammation, which can lead to pain and can be felt as swelling, redness, and warmth in affected joints. Swelling may also be a sign of other conditions, such as infection. If you have swelling in your joints, it’s important to see a doctor so that the cause can be determined.

Types of Arthritis and Their Symptoms

If your symptoms become an issue, your specific situation can be assessed to identify what type of arthritis you have. Below are some of the most common forms of arthritis and their early symptoms:

Early Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the larger joints. The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the joint, which may be accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and loss of range of motion. In the early stages of osteoarthritis, these symptoms may come and go and may not be very intense. As the disease progresses, however, it can become more constant and more severe.

Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include warmth and redness in the affected joint, numbness or tingling in the hand or feet, and a feeling of grating or crunching in the joint when moving it. Exercise and losing weight are two recommended ways of lessening the effects of osteoarthritis. Low-impact exercises, along with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, are some of the best ways to keep osteoarthritis at bay.

Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints and surrounding tissues. Early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can include fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever. These symptoms may be mild at first and come and go over time. As the disease progresses, the symptoms may become more severe and persistent. Joints may become swollen, red, and warm to the touch.

In advanced cases, joints may be severely damaged, resulting in deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other organs in the body, including the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis typically involves a combination of medication and changes in lifestyle. The first medicine that patients are typically given is a DMARD called methotrexate. Patients can also take steroids or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Early Gout Symptoms

Early gout symptoms can be difficult to identify, as they can resemble those of other conditions. However, there are some telltale signs that may indicate the presence of gout. It often attacks the large joint of the big toe.

The most common symptom is intense pain in the joint, which may be accompanied by swelling, redness, and heat. In some cases, people may also experience a tingly sensation or a feeling of pins and needles in the affected area. Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, and nausea. Gout can be a very painful condition, but with early diagnosis and treatment, patients can be released from a lot of the pain that comes with it. Typical treatments include cold packs, over-the-counter pain relievers, and corticosteroids.

Getting Treatment for Arthritis

If you are experiencing arthritis pain, it’s important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. There are many different treatments available for arthritis, and the sooner you start treatment, the better. Arthritis is a progressive condition, meaning it will only get worse over time. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of arthritis and prevent further joint damage, even though it may be hard to notice the symptoms at first.

There are many different types of arthritis, so it’s important to see a doctor who can properly diagnose your condition. Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that is specific to your needs. Treatment plans for arthritis pain may include medication, physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, joint surgery, or lifestyle changes.

Conclusion

Arthritis is a degenerative disease, and while there are many different kinds of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Treatment for arthritis depends on the type you have and how severe your case is. There are many treatments available that can help reduce pain and improve mobility, so if you are looking to explore your options for treating arthritis, contact Carolinas Pain Center today!

Bracing and Splinting for Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain, Treatment Information - June 16, 2022

When you have chronic pain, you want to alleviate the ache as much as you possibly can. Tendinitis, arthritis, or repetitive stress injuries can cause pain, and splinting or bracing can help improve your function, decrease pain levels, and reduce irritation. But, which one is the best support system for your needs? Braces and splints offer different levels of control and support, depending on how long and how you choose to wear them. We’ll outline both below.

Braces vs. Splints for Chronic Pain Management

One of the first things you have to do is decide if you need a brace or a splint. These are both assistive medical devices that can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain, but they work in slightly different ways. While both braces and splints can help with chronic pain, one may work better over the other for your situation.

Braces

A brace is a device that you wear to stop any further agitation in your joint by immobilizing whichever part of your body you wear it on. Braces usually feature a rigid stay or have rigid fabric that helps to treat minor injuries or pain flare-ups. You can use a brace to treat minor sprains or carpal tunnel syndrome. You can choose from different braces, including:

Ankle and foot braces
Back support
Elbow braces
Hand and wrist braces
Knee braces
Shoulder braces

Splints

A splint is something you’ll use to treat more serious conditions or injuries as it acts like an immobilizer. Very similar to a brace, splints have a stiff fabric design to them. However, splints also come with a rigid piece of plastic or metal built in to strengthen them more. Since this gives splints more stability, you’d use them to treat fractures, major sprains or flare-ups, and carpal tunnel syndrome. There are a few types of splints, including:

Ankle stirrup
Finger splint
Nasal splint
Posterior elbow
Posterior full leg
Posterior lower leg
Sugar tong
Thumb spica
Ulnar gutter
Volar wrist splint
Wrist or arm splint

How to Use Braces and Splits for Chronic Pain Management

Now that you know the most popular splints and braces available, we’re going to touch on several ways you can use them for your chronic pain management.

Low Back Pain

You can use soft or rigid braces to help with your low back pain. Soft braces will increase your abdominal core’s pneumatic mechanism, and this gives your back internal rigidity to support your spine. A rigid brace provides external support for your spine and back muscles. They’re useful for helping manage spine conditions that cause low back pain, and you can use them to stabilize the area.

Muscle Sprains or Strains

Ankle, knee, elbow, and foot braces are common assistive devices with tendon or ligament sprains or strains. They can provide just enough support to allow you to use it on a limited basis. Additionally, having a brace on your strained or sprained area can help prevent you from overusing it and causing irritation.

Neck Pain

There are rigid and soft collars that can help treat neck pain. The soft brace works best for whiplash-type injuries, and you usually wear them for two to four weeks. Rigid braces offer dynamic tension that will eventually change your neck on a mechanical level to get you to a thoracic spine orientation. It’s common to wear a neck brace after neck surgery to help keep the cervical spine stable.

The Carolinas Pain Center Can Help With Chronic Pain Management

If you have chronic pain, it’s essential that you have a dedicated team on your side to help treat and manage your day-to-day symptoms. We can also help decide if a brace or splint would be more appropriate for your needs. Book an appointment with our team today.

Tips for Managing Cancer Pain

Lower Extremities - June 9, 2022

Unfortunately, 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States alone. A cancer diagnosis often brings a lot of pain from the illness itself to the patients’ treatments. Fortunately, there are ways to manage cancer pain, though, and this blog post will explore some of the best tips. We hope that these tips will help you manage cancer pain more effectively.

Assess the Pain

The first step in managing cancer pain is a comprehensive assessment of your condition and pain. This evaluation should be conducted by a healthcare professional experienced in treating cancer pain. During the tests, you will be asked about the location, intensity, and duration of your pain. You will also be asked about any other symptoms you may be experiencing. This information will help your healthcare team develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Manage the Pain

Pain is a common symptom of cancer and can be caused by the tumor itself, the treatment (chemotherapy), or other health problems. Cancer pain can range from mild to severe and interfere with routine daily activities. Fortunately, over the last 30 years, there have been many advancements in treating cancer pain. Below are some options:

Take Pain Medication

Your healthcare team may prescribe pain medications to help you manage your cancer pain. There are various types of pain medication, and your healthcare team will choose the ones that are best for you. However, it is important to take these medications as prescribed and not exceed the recommended dosage.

Try Pharmacologic and Anesthetic Approaches

There are several over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, and targeted cancer therapies that can be used to reduce cancer pain. In some cases, local anesthetics may also be used to provide relief.

Use Adjuvant Analgesics

Adjuvant analgesics are used to enhance the effect of other pain medications. They may be used when pain cannot be adequately controlled with a single medication. Some common adjuvant analgesics include NSAIDs, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Your healthcare team can help you decide if adjuvant analgesics are right for you.

Remove or Reduce the Cancer

If the cause of your pain is cancer itself, then removing or reducing the tumor may be the best approach. This can be done through surgery, radiation therapy, or other treatments. In some cases, chemotherapy can also be used to reduce the size of the tumor.

Go for Palliative Surgery or Radiation Therapy

Palliative radiation therapy is a type of radiation therapy used to relieve cancer pain without killing the cancer cells. Palliative surgery or radiation therapy can be used to relieve pain caused by cancer that cannot be operated on because it has spread to other parts of the body.

Consider Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks are injections that can be used to block the nerve impulses that cause acute pain. This can provide relief from pain that is not responding to other treatments. There are several different types of nerve blocks, and your healthcare team will work with you to find the one that is best for you. Some common types of nerve blocks include:

Spinal cord stimulation
Peripheral nerve blocks
Nerve root blocks
Trigeminal neuralgia injections

Epidural and Intrathecal Pumps Can Be Effective

Epidural and intrathecal pumps can be used to deliver medication directly to the site of the pain. This provides rapid and effective relief from pain. These pumps can be used to provide a variety of medications, including opioids, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids.

Neurosurgical Approaches

Neurosurgical approaches are associated with the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, etc. Neurosurgeons specialize in treating tumors and other diseases of the brain and spine. When drugs are not providing sufficient relief from pain, nonpharmacologic approaches can be used. For example, doctors can disable the nerves in the spinal cord that bring the pain impulses to the brain.

Psychological Approaches

There are several psychological approaches that patients utilize for cancer pain. They are an important part of effective pain management, as they can provide strategies to patients for relieving their stress and improving their quality of life. These include hypnosis, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

These approaches can help patients deal with the stress and anxiety that often accompany cancer pain by allowing them to discuss their situation in group settings and improve their knowledge of their condition through cancer education sessions.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

In addition to medication, you may also want to consider complementary and alternative therapies. Several other approaches can be used to manage cancer pain. These include:

Physical therapy
Massage therapy
Biofeedback
Hypnosis

Supportive Care Is Important

Finally, cancer patients need to receive supportive care, as it can improve their quality of life and help them manage their symptoms. This is achieved by preventing or treating a disease’s earliest signs and symptoms. Supportive care includes things like regular assisted physical therapy, psychological support, and nutritional counseling. Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, but there are several effective treatments available, like surgery, chemotherapy, immune therapy, and more.

Do Cancerous Tumors Hurt?

There are many different types of cancer, each with its own unique set of symptoms. Some types of cancer may not cause any pain at all, while others may cause only mild discomfort. But other types of cancer can be very painful.

Cancers that grow quickly or spread to other parts of the body are more likely to cause pain than those that grow slowly or stay localized in one area. Cancerous tumors can press on nerves or other sensitive structures in the body, causing pain. They can also release inflammatory mediators that cause inflammation, which can lead to pain.

What Does It Feel Like to Be on Chemotherapy?

It’s hard to say what it feels like to be on chemotherapy because it varies so much from person to person. Some people feel very sick and tired, while others only have mild side effects.

The main side effect of chemotherapy is fatigue. This can range from feeling a little bit tired all the time to not being able to get out of bed for days at a time. It’s important to listen to your body and rest when you need to. Another common symptom is nausea and vomiting. This can be controlled with medication, but some people still have a lot of trouble keeping food down.

Some other possible side effects include hair loss, mouth sores, and neuropathy (tingling or numbness in the hands and feet). These are all temporary and should go away once treatment is finished.

Dealing with Cancer Pain

Overall, cancer pain can be well managed in the majority of patients. With the right tools and strategies in place, it is possible to keep the pain under control. By following the tips in this article, you can manage your cancer pain and live a more comfortable life. If you are dealing with pain from cancer, there are many ways that you can find some relief. Contact Carolinas Pain Center today for a consultation.

Lifestyle Changes to Relieve Your Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain, Treatment Information - June 2, 2022

If you suffer from chronic pain, there’s no single method to relieve it. Instead, it’s best to combine multiple tactics as part of a comprehensive chronic pain management plan. Here are eight lifestyle changes you can embrace to relieve pain. Try using them in combination for pain relief. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll also help fight lower life expectancy that is associated with chronic pain.

Improve Your Diet

Eating more cleanly will help your overall health and reduce inflammation in the body that causes or exacerbates pain. What is clean eating? It’s simply consuming food in its most natural state, closest to its origins. For example, instead of eating foods made with refined flour (bread, pasta, cereal, etc.), eat whole grain products. Rather than drinking juice, have an orange or an apple.

One tip you can use when grocery shopping for clean eating is to try to buy most of your products from around the perimeter of the store, where you’ll find perishable foods like eggs, fish, and fresh produce. The less you eat from a bag, box, or can, the better. Try making things like soup or spaghetti sauce from scratch.

Get rid of sugar as much as possible. Sugar is one of the most inflammatory things you can eat. Not only will your joints and muscles appreciate the change, but your skin, digestion, and cardiovascular system will also function better. Avoid artificial sweeteners in lieu of stevia. In recipes, try using naturally sweet elements, like fruits.

The great thing about clean eating is it’s adaptable to whatever kind of diet you eat. You can be a vegan, a pescatarian, or an omnivore and still eat clean. When you start eating clean, you can also typically increase the volume of food you’re eating because you’re eating things like leafy greens and lean proteins. It might surprise you to know that low-calorie diets can contribute to low back pain. When you don’t get enough nutrients, it doesn’t matter if you’re only consuming a small number of calories. Your body doesn’t get the fuel it needs, and pain can be a symptom.

Stay Hydrated

Everyone’s hydration needs are different, so you have to figure out how much water you need to stay fully hydrated. You don’t want to become dehydrated because this saps the natural lubricants in your joints and deprives cells of the fluid they need for optimum function.

Follow these tips to improve your water consumption:

Keep a refillable water bottle with you, so you have access to water no matter where you go.
Set an alarm on your phone if you tend to forget to drink water.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to consume water – stay ahead of the game.
Watch out for alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, which are dehydrating.
Look at the color of your urine; it should be a pale yellow, like straw. Anything darker means you’re probably dehydrated.

Lose Excess Weight

Every step you take puts pressure on your lower extremities. If you are overweight, you are adding even more impact to your movement. That can take a toll on your back, hips, legs, and feet.

Losing weight can make a huge difference in how you feel on a day-to-day basis. And the more weight you lose, the easier it becomes to exercise, which also helps with pain management (see “Reduce Stress” below).

If you’re already exercising a lot, but those pounds won’t budge, it may help to consult with a nutritional specialist, like a registered dietician. Also, check with your primary care provider to make sure you don’t have any medical conditions, like hypothyroidism, that could be slowing down your metabolism.

Reduce Stress

Chronic stress can lead to or provoke mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that actually cause physical pain. When the chemicals in your brain are out of balance, you can experience body aches and fatigue that make other pain worse.

If you’re already dealing with chronic pain, psychologically caused pain can further isolate you and cause feelings of hopelessness. But managing stress can help reverse that. Some ways to reduce stress include:

Get plenty of exercise without overdoing it.
Spend time in nature, around pets, or with friends and family you enjoy seeing.
Join a support group or find a counselor to talk through issues bothering you.
Get long-term problems under control (money management, career objectives, etc.)
Take up a relaxing hobby, like painting, music, or cooking.
Try traditional Eastern therapies, such as tai chi, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or massage.
Learn to say “no” to too much, both at work and at home.
Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going to avoid classic stressors like rush hour traffic jams.
Avoid substance abuse, which seems like an escape but actually makes stress worse.

Quit Smoking

If you thought eating sugar was bad, smoking is a million times more harmful to the body. Quitting smoking will affect virtually every body system in a positive way. You’ll get better blood flow throughout the body, which helps with the circulation of both natural pain relievers and any medications you take. You’ll be able to exercise more and enjoy the foods you eat.

Work on Sleep Hygiene

All the healthy eating and exercise in the world won’t help you if you aren’t sleeping well at night. Sleep hygiene is the medical term for creating an environment that’s conducive to restful slumber, so you wake up refreshed in the morning. Follow these suggestions to improve your sleep hygiene:

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, giving yourself enough time for the sleep you need, whether that’s six hours or nine hours.
Don’t bring stress into the bedroom, such as doing work in bed.
Develop a relaxing bedtime routine that you practice every evening, like taking a warm bath and having a cup of herbal tea.
Get rid of screens about an hour before you intend to go to sleep, or use screen shaders or blue-blocking glasses if you must use an electronic device.
Make sure your room isn’t too hot or too cold (slightly cool is good for inducing sleep and has other benefits too). Use layers of blankets to get the comfort you need throughout the night. Wear comfortable pajamas of natural fabrics that breathe well.
Keep kids and pets in their own spaces as much as possible.
Try using white noise if silence or ambient sounds are disturbing your sleep.

If you try all these tips and feel tired when you arise, you could have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if this is a possibility.

Be Conscious of Your Posture

Your posture when you sit, stand, or move can have a huge influence on your chronic pain. You could be putting stress on your spine and joints by not positioning yourself correctly. Make sure you sit and stand up straight and use proper support and ergonomics, whether you’re at your desk at work or reading in bed.

Use footwear with good arch support, and avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes. Engage your abdominal muscles for extra help when exercising or lifting objects. If you’re not sure how to do this, a personal trainer or physical therapist can show you how.

See a Qualified Pain Specialist

Chronic pain management can be challenging without a pain specialist to help you. You may not even know what’s causing your pain or where to start with treatment. That’s where Carolinas Pain Center can assist you.

We are a group of providers who are pain specialists in North Carolina. We can help you get relief and learn how to manage pain so you don’t feel overwhelmed by it and can get back to loving life. You don’t have to accept the chronic pain you’re experiencing now when there are many options available to you. Start with the tips above, and reach out to Carolinas Pain Center today to learn how you can do more.

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