Pain Relief Center

Tension Headaches

Muscle Contraction / Tension Headaches

Causes
Tension headaches can be triggered by stress, neck strain, missed meals, depression, anxiety or lack of sleep.

Symptoms
Tension headaches cause a feeling similar to a tight band around your head and/or mild to moderate pain on both sides of head. They can be occasional or may occur more than 15 days a month. They can last from 30 minutes to a week

Treatment
OTC medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Goody’s® Extra Strength Headache Powder utilizes the combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine to combat headache pain.

  • Reducing stress may also help individuals deal with symptoms.
  • Meditation, relaxation training, massage, and heat therapy can help with tension headache pain.

As you can see above, understanding your headache triggers is essential when it comes to managing chronic headaches, regardless of the type of headache you experience most often. Many healthcare providers recommend balancing headache medication with lifestyle changes and helpful activities such as stress management, biofeedback, and exercise programs.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Cluster Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000786.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Tension Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000797.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

NINDS Migraine Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Site. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster Headaches

Causes
Cluster headaches seem to be related to the body's sudden release of histamine (chemical in the body released during an allergic response) or serotonin (chemical made by nerve cells). Cluster headaches can be triggered by alcohol, cigarettes, high altitudes, bright light, extensive physical activity, heat, and certain medications.

Symptoms
Cluster headaches usually happen two to three hours after a person falls asleep but can also happen during waking hours. Cluster headaches are characterized by burning, sharp, stabbing, or steady pain. This pain is felt on one side of the face from the neck to the temple. The eye on the side of the face experiencing pain may produce excessive tearing accompanied by a droopy eyelid.

Treatment

  • Avoiding cluster headache triggers
  • A headache journal can help you keep track of what you were doing before your headache occurred.
  • Your doctor may recommend triptan medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, breathing in 100% pure oxygen, or injections of dihyroergotamine for treatment of cluster headaches while they are occurring.

As you can see above, understanding your headache triggers is essential when it comes to managing chronic headaches, regardless of the type of headache you experience most often. Many healthcare providers recommend balancing headache medication with lifestyle changes and helpful activities such as stress management, biofeedback, and exercise programs.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Cluster Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000786.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Tension Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000797.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

NINDS Migraine Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Site. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine Headaches

Causes
Certain things can trigger migraine headaches. Stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, bright or flashing lights, lack of food or sleep, and dietary substances can all contribute to migraine headaches. Scientists believe that migraines often have genetic causes.

Symptoms
Migraine pain is characterized by intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. Other symptoms of migraines include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to both light and sound. In addition, some people may experience visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision right before a migraine occurs.

Treatment

  • Avoiding migraine triggers is an important step toward migraine prevention.
  • A headache journal can help keep track of your headache triggers.
  • For relief during a migraine most people turn to sumatriptan, ergotamine drugs, and analgesics such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

As you can see above, understanding your headache triggers is essential when it comes to managing chronic headaches, regardless of the type of headache you experience most often. Many healthcare providers recommend balancing headache medication with lifestyle changes and helpful activities such as stress management, biofeedback, and exercise programs.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Cluster Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000786.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Tension Headache. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000797.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

NINDS Migraine Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Site. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Back & Body Pain

Back & Body Pain

Backaches and other pains in the neck.

Sometimes it seems that the harder you work, the more you hurt. Understanding where back and body pain comes from helps in discovering ways to protect yourself from strain or injury. In addition, knowing the best way to help your back and body heal after they become irritated or injured is vital to recovery. Remember, you aren’t alone! Almost 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Causes
Sprains and strains in the back occur from lifting something improperly, picking up something that is too heavy, or overstretching. These types of movements can also cause spasms in your back muscles, which tend to be painful. Muscular aches and arthritis can cause pain in other parts of your body as well.

Symptoms
Symptoms of back pain vary widely depending on what exactly caused the back pain to begin. Some back pain is sharp while others leave individuals with a dull throbbing in their back. These symptoms can also apply to other parts of the body that are experiencing pain such as your knees or shoulders. You may also find mild swelling in areas where you are experiencing pain as your body tries to heal itself.

Treatment
OTC medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Goody’s® Extra Strength Headache Powder utilizes the combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine to combat headache pain.

  • Rest! Find a comfortable position and stay there. If you continue to exert yourself your body won’t have the chance to heal and you can make your injury worse.
  • Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes every hour.
  • Take a mild, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like aspirin or acetaminophen (such as Goody's® Back & Body Pain) as soon as you can.

 

The tips above should help you deal with mild back and body pain. If you find that your back or body pain is long lasting or especially painful, it is best to seek medical attention right away.

Hand Out on Health – Back Pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Web Site. Available at:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/back_pain/#8 Accessed August 22, 2016.

Medical Encyoclop – Lower Back Pain - Acute. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007425.htm

Accessed August 22, 2016. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Site. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm

Pain with Sleeplessness

Pain with Sleeplessness

Pain that keeps you awake is the worst.

Fatigue and pain mixed together is a recipe for disaster. Don’t let minor aches and pains or headaches keep you up at night. Learning about how pain and sleeplessness are connected will help you tackle both at the same time.

Causes
Pain is registered by nerves communicating with your brain. If your body is constantly sensing pain, it is in turn constantly telling your brain about it. This makes it extremely difficult for you to enter a state of rest and sleep. Dealing with your pain will help you regain access to a good nights sleep.

Symptoms
Those with sleeplessness due to pain will find that they have trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep. Because of this, they may feel groggy and tired throughout the day due to fatigue. In addition, people who experience sleeplessness tend to make their symptoms worse by worrying about getting enough sleep.

Treatment
OTC medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Goody’s® Extra Strength Headache Powder utilizes the combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine to combat headache pain.

  • Many over-the-counter pain relievers (such as Goody's® PM) can help stop minor aches and pains with the use of Acetaminophen. They also often include a sleep aid such as diphenhydramine citrate to help you get the sleep you need.
  • Be sure nothing else is keeping you up at night. Try to keep the same sleep schedule so your body knows when it is time for bed.
  • Avoid exercise and bright artificial light from electronic devices an hour before bed and make sure your bedroom is a dark, relaxing place.

 

Pain doesn’t have to disrupt your daily life. Understanding how pain affects sleep will allow you to manage both things in a healthy way. If you have severe pain, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the proper treatment for pain with sleeplessness.

Pain: Hope Through Research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Site. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic_pain/detail_chronic_pain.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Medical Encyoclopedia – Insomnia. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000805.htm

Accessed August 22, 2016. Health Topics - Strategies for Getting Enough Sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web Site. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sdd/strategies Accessed August 31, 2016.

Arthritis

Arthritis

Arthritis pain is serious stuff.

Arthritis refers to diseases that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joint and connective tissue. Arthritis pain doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying life. Know your symptoms and different ways to treat mild arthritic pain with the information below.

Causes
The cause of many forms of arthritis is not currently known but scientists are researching what factors may contribute to arthritis such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment. There are certain factors that make people more at risk of arthritis. Obesity can contribute to the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Joint injuries and infection can also raise the risk of developing arthritis in that specific joint.

Symptoms
People with arthritis feel pain and stiffness around and associated with one or more joints. Arthritis is not a chronic disease so symptoms may come and go over time.

Treatment
OTC medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Goody’s® Extra Strength Headache Powder utilizes the combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine to combat headache pain.

  • For minor arthritis pain use an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like aspirin or acetaminophen (such as Goody's® Back & Body Pain).
  • Physical activity can assist in relieving arthritis pain as well as improve overall health and well-being. Low impact exercises performed at a slow to moderate pace are best for individuals with arthritis.
  • For osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis consult your doctor for treatment.

 

Arthritis doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks. With the help of medication and a few life style changes, you can successfully relieve your minor arthritis pain.

Arthritis – FAQ. Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web Site. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm Accessed August 22, 2016.

Heath Topics – Arthritis. MedlinePlus Web Site. Available at:
https://medlineplus.gov/arthritis.html