Chronic Pain: Is There a Genetic Link?
Do you know someone dealing with chronic pain, or do you experience it yourself? Chronic aches differ from acute pain, which is often caused by injuries or illnesses and can be resolved by treating the underlying cause. Chronic pain, on the other hand, persists for three months or longer, often without a clear reason. This continuing pain doesn’t go away quickly and can significantly disrupt daily activities, work, and personal relationships. Both patients and healthcare providers must understand this condition's roots for effective management and treatment. But is chronic pain hereditary? Studies have shown that genetics can influence the likelihood of
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares- Strategies for Relief and Prevention
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a condition marked by chronic pain and challenges. It can make everyday activities such as walking or picking up objects significantly more difficult. Additionally, it involves an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression. When pain and other symptoms increase or become more frequent, you may be experiencing an RA flare-up. RA flare-ups can even occur during day-to-day activities like getting out of bed or holding a cup, resulting in more joint pain than usual. When you avoid managing RA flare-ups, they can cause further damage to your joints, cause other problems in your body, and
HOW TO TREAT MULTILEVEL DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Approximately 40% of adults over the age of 40 have experienced degeneration of at least one disc in the spine[1]. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that is part of age-related “wear and tear” for many. It occurs due to the thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in the spine and is usually gradual in its deterioration. In many cases, degenerative disc disease may occur in one of the spinal discs as a result of stress and damage. However, quite often, the stress can happen simultaneously on multiple levels throughout the spine. In such cases, degenerative disc disease is classified as
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING NERVE PAIN AFTER SURGERY
By Jefferey Higginbotham, M.D. There are so many unknowns when it comes to postoperative nerve pain. It is difficult to determine why some people may get nerve pain after surgery and others don’t. For most, when nerve pain occurs, it usually recovers spontaneously. For others, permanent damage may happen, and no recovery is possible. Mostly, nerve pain after surgery can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Unfortunately, at the moment, no effective treatment can ensure the prevention of postoperative nerve pain preoperation. The available solutions are not great, and doctors will likely not recommend anything. However, once a patient
Pain Treatment Guide: What Activities Should Be Avoided With Fibromyalgia?
Do you ever find yourself struggling with ongoing fatigue, muscle pain, or difficulty concentrating? Fibromyalgia might be the culprit, and it's more common than you might think. This chronic pain condition causes widespread pain in muscles and joints. It often comes with fatigue, sleep issues, trouble concentrating (called "fibro fog"), and mood changes. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but it’s centered around the way the brain processes pain and changes in certain brain chemicals. Some people also experience headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, and tingling sensations. Certain activities can worsen fibromyalgia pain and symptoms. Intense exercise without warm-up leads to muscle fatigue and
Why You Shouldn’t Give Up Hope After Failed Back Surgery
Back surgery is the most common treatment for chronic pain that has failed to respond to other treatments. However, surgeries may not always give the desired results due to factors like individual variations or underlying complexities. Patients might experience a failed back surgery when the procedure doesn't lead to the expected relief or improvement in symptoms. This can be discouraging, but you should stay hopeful and explore alternative paths for healing and pain management. Talking to pain care specialists to learn more about other treatment options can help in finding the relief you deserve. Advanced Pain Care can provide relief when
What Conditions Can A Spinal Cord Stimulator Treat?
Living with persistent pain can be a steady battle, creating hurdles and distress that are difficult to ignore. However, advancements in therapeutic innovation, like spinal cord stimulators (SCS), offer hope for managing this pain and bringing effective relief. These tiny devices are put beneath the skin to send gentle electric signals to the spinal cord. These signals disrupt pain messages before they reach the brain, relieving many patients of chronic pain. If you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, consult the spine doctors at Advanced Pain Care in Austin, TX. Our team uses spinal cord stimulation surgery and other pain management techniques
Lingering Post-Surgical Pain: Is It All In Your Head?
Post-surgical pain implies pain that persists over 3 to 6 months after you've undergone a surgical procedure. Essentially, it is due to a surgery-induced injury to a major nerve. It is characterized by discomfort and pain that may be constant or intermittent and can last for days, weeks, or even months after surgery. Over 45 million surgical processes are performed in the United States every year(1). Pain management after surgery is important to prevent negative effects (2), such as difficulty performing daily tasks, lower quality of life, and higher medical costs. Moreover, poorly managed pain can disrupt sleep and impact mental
When Should You See A Pain Management Specialist?
Have you ever experienced a sharp pain in your neck or back while doing everyday tasks like grocery shopping? Well, you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 20.5% of U.S. adults experience consistent pain that worsens by day(1). This pain is usually felt in the back, hip, or foot. Many people find it hard to decide if they need to see a professional. Have you been battling physical pain for over three months now? Does it refuse to subside no matter what, or worse, become more aggravated with time? Here, we can provide you with advice and
The Role of Neurosurgery in Treating Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a complex and often debilitating condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It's persistent pain that can be challenging to manage and treat. However, advancements in medical science have opened up new avenues for effective pain management, one of which is neurosurgery. In this blog, we'll explore how neurosurgery plays a crucial role in treating chronic pain with insights from Advanced Pain Care, a leading clinic in Austin. Understanding Chronic Pain Chronic pain is a complex and persistent form of pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing, typically lasting longer than three to six months. Unlike acute pain,