What causes aches and pains?
Pain is an unpleasant sense or feeling that involves nerve impulses. Most aches and pains are associated with overexertion, stress, and also strain on muscles. Usually muscles in the neck, legs, arms, back and feet are the ones affected. Pain begins with some type of injury or disease process. Coughs, colds and flu cause body aches and pains, as do a number of gastrointestinal problems. At some time or another most of us will suffer from some discomfort. Chronic pain (long standing) affects a substantial percentage of the population and can be debilitating and lead to depression, disrupting a happy, normal lifestyle. Most common pain related ailments include arthralgia, headache, inflammation, lumbago, muscle aches and pains, migraine and toothache.
Headache is a common ailment and relates to tension headaches and migraine. Headache may also be due to hypertension, bad posture, infection, eye disorder, tension, stress and fever. Influenza, the common cold, sinusitis, and tonsillitis are associated with headache.
What happens with aches and pains?
Almost anything can lead to pain. Neck and back pain, headaches, migraines start from an ailment that affects the head arthritis and tendonitis, from the limbs bunions etc, from the feet. Other occurrences stem from psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. Pain manifests in a number of forms. It can be sharp or dull, andmay be of a continual nature or intermittent.
When pain occurs the first action is identifying the cause. Most body aches are common and not necessarily a reason to worry. However, if your symptoms are severe or worrying, it is imperative to consult your medical practitioner. Your medical practitioner will diagnose and treat any underlying disorder.
Traditional Pharmacy
The goals of treatment are relief and recovery. Analgesics is the name given to substances that possess the ability to relieve pain. The most common over-the-counter analgesics include paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and diclofenac. In severe pain situations, your practitioner may prescribe more potent prescription medicines including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers. Consult your pharmacist for advice.
Natural Pharmacy
Beneficial supplements include the antioxidant nutrients, Vitamins C and E, helping prevent and reduce cell damage associated with joint breakdown. Glucosamine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It reduces joint inflammation, improves joint mobility and provides temporary relief of pain. Glucosamine is a key building block of cartilage between the joints and polysaccharides involved in joint lubrication and cushioning. Glucosamine protects and slows degenerative changes to cartilage and increases the rate of cartilage generation. A number of herbs may be beneficial in helping relieve aches and pains. These include ginger, chamomile, turmeric, feverfew, chillis and willow bark. Consult your pharmacist for advice.
What else to do?
Massage may help relieve muscle spasms of the neck and back.
Acupuncture and chiropractic, by a qualified practitioner, may give relief in certain situations (consult your medical practitioner for advice).
Warm and cold compresses may benefit, consult your pharmacist.
Reduce coffee intake and stop smoking.
Ice packs are helpful in cooling the forehead.
Adopt a healthy, well balanced diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables.
Prevention and Cautions
Avoid overexertion which can leads to sprains and strains resulting in muscle soreness.
Seek professional advice if
You are concerned about your symptoms.
You have high blood pressure and experience headache episodes.
Your headache is accompanied by visual disturbances (blurring etc).
You experience any marked increase in intensity of pain or headaches.
References
The Merck Manual, 17th Edit. 1999
The Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine 2nd Edit. 1998 |
