To the man who stayed in my life when I asked him to leave. And today we are together since 18 years of marriage. I really don’t know how that happened. Sometimes it feels like we are the same as we were 25 years old. Sometimes it feels like we are like a team that unifies together.
But today, since these 18 years we stand by in front of family and friends and made a vow to love and cherish “in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.” “In sickness and in health”. Reminding these words gives me a feeling that the past 20 years have entailed more sickness than health.
I was not the person who thought I would get my happily ever after. Maybe this was meant for other people or novels with fairytales etc. I remember all the things like when you entered into my life and see the beauty behind my flaws. It is such an amazing feeling when you trust someone so badly after you have hurt so much. Some doubts that let you awake all night, some thoughts, and then I started to have strange symptoms.
Firstly, I got Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which was supposed to be a lifetime medication because my body was attacking itself (it was the first of many daily meds). this was an addition to the joint inflammation, hair loss, fever, fatigue, stomach problems, and consistent infections. I was in my 20s and felt like a senior. I used to hide problems in front of you and you always get them. You canceled all the plans when I wasn’t fine and say, “we will stay at home and watch a movie:” and that became our weekend routine. All gone like a hell.
Time passed and the mornings were like going to a doctor’s appointment to deal with the new symptoms and ended up calling 911 for the hospital. My limbs were not working. It was the first time anyone said a new term that is “CNS lupus”. All the things went so seriously. My future became risky as my brain was not being in control and something was attacking my brain.
I still remember that time when I was all on the machines, that beeps, the sounds, the smells, everything was scary. All I wanted was to set you free and give you a life of freedom. You didn’t deserve a life of just being a caregiver. You were just 24 and there was a life that will brighten up your future. You didn’t have to spend a life with someone whose future is at stake. We were just engaged at that time.
You refused to leave me and I failed to count the power of your love. You told me that you were staying with me ever after. You took me to the bathroom and gently washed my hair. And you did every single thing.
It really very hard to be with someone who is chronically ill. There are days when you cooked for me, being my nurse, my dad, my mom, my therapist, and a zookeeper. You are like a gum stick that holds the family together. Whenever I feel, you pick me up. You got me to the land of reality. You always set me right when I acted like a stubborn lady.
There were nights when it’s you who helped me and took me to bed. Too many nights were there when you were alone missing out on the old you since we were in bed at 9:00 p.m. there were nights when you didn’t sleep because of me just to check if I am okay. There were times when you missed every get-together, event for me because I was in the hospital and you stayed there with me. You supported our kids and advocated for me.
I am not the one who is easiest to live with. Yes, I have admitted it. I am a difficult person and stubborn at the same time. I get moody due to steroids. My weight fluctuates and still, you always look at me with love. These medications always made me feel like a useless person but you always tell me how valuable I am.
I don’t know where the future will take us. All I know is you are with me in this crazy adventure. And I am thankful for you that you didn’t listen to me and didn’t run.
The pain that remains consistent for almost three to six months is commonly known as chronicpain. This is a very common pain. Chronic pain affects millions of people every year. The pain affects various parts of the body like joints, head, back, or shoulders.
The pain can have various patterns; sometimes a person can have various shapes of the pain and at times the pain exists in a similar manner. This random pattern makes it difficult to diagnose.
We should have sound knowledge about various types and forms of chronic pain.
The nerves that are in charge of the brain for perceiving various sensations, including pain are called nociceptors, the pain caused by them is called nociceptive pain. While neuropathic chronic pain is usually caused by a malfunction of the nervous system. The nociceptive chronic pain can be superficial, deep somatic, and intuitive. On the other hand, neuropathic pains are tangential or central.
The root causes of Fibromyalgia are still unknown after a lot of research and study. There are multiple documentations on its causes but it’s still unclear whether to categorize it as nociceptive or neuropathic pain.
The disorder is caused by an imbalance of the chemicals in the human brain which affects the pain perceiving the process of the brain in a dysfunctional way. This is so far the most accepted theory about this syndrome.
The conditions are responsible for causing these imbalances are still a mystery. Somehow fibromyalgia is related to neuropathic chronic pains because most of the studies and research relate it to the physical or emotional stress or injuries suffered by the patients.
The former slowly deteriorate the cartilages of the joints while the second one causes the lining of the joints to inflame and then destroys them.
Pain, stiffness, warmth, and redness in the joints are the typical symptoms of the disorder. As the pain in joints is one of its symptoms so it is also sometimes mistaken with fibromyalgia. A complete and thorough analysis will easily clarify that which chronic pain-related medical condition is present.
This type of Arthritis that can cause muscle pain in two or more areas of the body at the same time is called Polymyalgia Rheumatica. The pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks, as well as limited range of motions, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, and even fever, are symptoms a person can face who is affected by this disorder. People older than 50 years have less probability for this disorder. Again due to similar symptoms it is mistaken with fibromyalgia sometimes.
One of the most painful long-term syndromes that can exist is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and it has two types. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is caused by some sort of illness or injury that has not affected the working of the brain directly. It is caused by injuries that have directly affected the nerves.
A very high level of persistent pain, swelling in certain affected areas, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, changes in the temperature of the skin, atrophy of the muscles, and stiffness in the joints are the typical symptoms of this medical condition.
The causes of this disorder are not properly identified. The abnormality in the movements of the intestines is the overall knowledge that is known about this defect. The usage of foods such as dairy products, soda, certain fruits and vegetables, and coffee may act as promoters in such medical conditions.
Stress is another vital cause that develops the conditions which lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The most significant symptoms of this disorder are diarrhea, urination problems, severe stomach aches, fatigue, anxiety, sleeping issues, bloating, backache, headaches, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. Its symptoms are similar to that of fibromyalgia so due to the overlap of the symptoms, it is mistaken with fibromyalgia.
There are various disorders that are characterized by chronic pain. Due to the similarity in most of their symptoms, it becomes difficult for specialists to diagnose the problem. When you get a feeling of any of the symptoms, consult the doctor as soon as possible in order to properly start the treatment after a clear diagnosis.
Most people affected by fibromyalgia are trying to find alternative remedies to cure the disorder then the pharmaceutical medications. There are documented several ways that helped people to deal with their conditions of fibromyalgia and proved to have a positive impact on their lives.
There are several supplements and herbs that can be helpful. They can be taken in order to ease the pain of fibromyalgia by increasing serotonin levels, decreasing pain sensitivity, improving immune function, and others.
The other natural remedy used to relax the sore muscles is massage. It is also highly recommended for fibromyalgia patients. It can be done by some professional or at home.
In several cases, it has been shown that having a masseuse not only helped people to release their muscle pain directly but also allowed them time to fully relax and ease stress. However, most people prefer to do daily massage at home. This can also be done using a tennis ball, rolled over the sore muscles to gently wipe the fatigue out.
The application of heat and cold (ice) can also help to ease sore muscles. The usage of cold packs and ice can be helpful for deep and achy muscles in order to soothe their pain. Heat in the form of a warm cloth or a warm bath can also be applied to release muscle tension. The heat from a shower or bath will relax muscles and refresh the body and is considered the best way for heat application.
Magnesium has potential that helps with nearly 300 biochemical body reactions. The deficiency of minerals is found in about 80-95% of people with fibromyalgia. The lack of this mineral is also found in a large number of the general population.
Another remedy that can relieve fibromyalgia is oleander extract. It is an immune modulator. It should always be taken in supplement form because raw oleander is toxic.
Acupuncture is a very old traditional Chinese methodology. In this technique, small needles are applied to the skin to open the energy fields. The acupuncture process helps to open up pathways to energy. This traditional medical and spiritual practice that has also been backed by the NIH has proven to be very helpful.
The energy levels in the body can be attained by using vitamin B12. The deficiency of this vitamin can give pain to people who have fibromyalgia. The usage of B12 supplements can ease the conditions of fibromyalgia and provide chances to improve the quality of life as it can increase energy levels in people suffering chronic pain and can also help to release depression and isolation due to pain and fatigue.
The regular liver cleanse process is a great way to clear out toxins. There is a number of natural ways to complete a liver cleanse. This is very important because the presence of toxins in the body can affect other organs and the liver. The regular process of flushing and cleansing of the liver improves the functionality of the liver and also helps the body to eliminate waste that has been stuck in the body.
5-HTP helps to increase serotonin levels and to reduce the number of tender points on the body due to fibromyalgia. This supplement helps the body to release pain by enhancing serotonin levels and stabilizing mood. This chemical affects the brain and should be taken after a doctor’s consultation.
An important compound in the body that is essential for the body’s proper immunity system is SAMe. It helps to maintain cell membranes and break down neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Meditation is a powerful technique to clear the mind by calming the body and thoughts. It can be done in a number of ways: sitting, lying down, walking, and others. It has been proven to reduce stress levels and increase the clarity and focus of the mind remarkably.
It is a good way to manage pain and overall provides a positive outlook. It helps to clear the mind from any negativity. The regular practice of meditation can reduce stress levels and bring optimism and balance to the lives of those with fibromyalgia.
These natural cure processes should be considered by the people who want to save themselves from any further harm of the traditional pharmaceutical drugs. However, for serious conditions, proper medication is required.
It is an anti-depressant that helps in regulating serotonin production and reuptake. This medication helps in an uplifting mood, counteracts pain, and restores normal sleep patterns by increasing the concentration of usable serotonin. Both depression and anxiety symptoms are alleviated by this medicine.
Researchers show that trazodone helps in improving cognitive rationality and functioning, enhancing the quality of sleep, and reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Of course, there are some side effects as well.
Clinical studies and researchers have shown that like other anti-depressants that are available in the market, trazodone is also effective. Of course, some side effects have also been mentioned in the studies.
Constipation and glaucoma are treated by this unmatched ability of Trazodone. Trazodone doesn’t make anticholinergic reactions like other medications, that is why it shows effectiveness in treating these conditions.
Sedative effects are also produced by Trazodone, which distinctly reduces agitation, anxiety, and sleeps deprivation symptoms. These sedative effects make fibromyalgia patients in trouble who experience chronic fatigue and lethargy.
Moreover, cardiac arrhythmias are the confirmed side effect. People with and without pre-existing heart conditions have experienced this side effect.
Priapism is another rarely observed but very serious side effect. This side effect makes the male penis not retreat from its erect state for almost 4 hours. As it is a rare condition, but it does indicate some concern among men with fibromyalgia. Treating this condition generally has a high risk for this side effect.
There is a need to take some precautionary measures, as it has some side effects. An individual can take a smaller dosage if he is highly sensitive to trazodone.
As youth combines trazodone with other anti-depressants, the warning signs given by researchers should be noted by doctors and parents i.e. suicidal tendencies among youth. Early interventions and precautionary measures are critical in suicidal thought processes.
For safety purposes, this medicine should be taken in small doses by both suicidal depressed children and adults. There are a lot of anti-depressants that induce an unresponsive mental state due to which suicide thoughts increases. The rare incidence of seizures is another serious side effect.
Trazodone is safer in overdoses as compared to some other anti-depressants. Moreover, usually, people less surrender to this medicine overdose, as its toxicity levels are mild. But in some cases, the toxicity levels are spiked in the bloodstream and lower the blood pressure when it is consumed in excess. There is a worst-case report ever that says, the blockage in the atrioventricular region of the heart was developed in a patient and several organ systems got failed with it.
There is an interaction between trazodone and a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. This enzyme has responsibility for metabolic processes that activate trazodone. The concentration of trazodone increases severely in the bloodstream when there is some enzyme hindrance in some way. The effects of CYP3A4 suppresses by specific foods, herbs, and medication, which might be harmful. Grapefruit taken in large quantity can be one of these foods.
Doctors advise patients not to combine Trazodone with other medications. In some cases, the potency of alcohol, depressants, and barbiturates in the bloodstream increases with trazodone. Due to this, fatigue and scattered thinking induce. The digoxin and phenytoin levels spike in those patients who take trazodone with other medications. More research should be done in the field of trazodone and its impact on aesthetics.
Where there are benefits of trazodone, there are a few risk factors for it as well. So, before taking this medication, patients should thoroughly check both risks and benefits.
If a patient found it to be ill-suited for himself, he should take another anti-depressant as a solution. Fortunately, there are so many ways for recovery and patients can adopt different medications for treatment.
The risk of developing tachycardia, arrhythmia, and severe fatigue increases due to fibromyalgia in a lot of cases. If you have a history of suicidal thoughts or tendencies, you should consult your doctor for alternative medication. There are some additional treatments that include sleep aids, muscle relaxers, anticonvulsants, and steroid injections.
There are a lot of patients who have enhanced or replaced traditional therapies with homeopathic medications. One of the most useful methods is physical therapy, as it helps in aiding mobility and range of motion.
Moreover, energy blockages can be removed by massage and it promotes Qi flow, soothes trigger points. Muscle tension and pain are also reduced by massage. For fibromyalgia treatment, deep tissue massage, trigger point massage, and Shiatsu massage are well known. Shiatsu massage helps in interacting directly with nerve pathways in the central nervous system.
When some overwhelming risks occur in a patient’s health due to trazodone, biofeedback and acupuncture prove effective for treatment. Pain is relieved and chances of recovery are high.
It is also advised to fibromyalgia patients that they need to limit their diet by avoiding sugar, junk food, fats, etc. sugar and caffeine are the most devastating stimulants for fibromyalgia patients. So, there are some other options other than trazodone.
Fibromyalgia is a mystery that consists of a lot of symptoms and it seems like it is impossible to solve this mystery, especially when researchers haven’t found the root cause and cure of this illness.
There are a lot of doctors who do not admit this syndrome existence. It is true that people who are having this syndrome have to live their life with this syndrome. We cannot stop the occurrence of fibromyalgia till now.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome whose main symptom is widespread pain. Along with this pain, people with fibromyalgia suffer from many other symptoms as well.
Some other symptoms include nausea, lack of focus, memory loss, arthritis and joint pain, depression, vomiting, sensitivity to light, odors, medication and noise, sensitivity to certain kinds of food, stiffness, numbness, tingling sensation, sleep problems, jaw sensitivity, food sensitivities, digestive issues, irritable bladder and reduced tolerance to exercising.
The major question that still doesn’t have an answer is what actually causes fibromyalgia. Although we have reached a very high level in research and technology the truth is still we don’t know about the actual root cause of fibromyalgia.
Some researchers believe that fibromyalgia can be caused by genetics, as many people have this disease in the family and doctors have detected certain polymorph genes in the bodies of fibromyalgia patients. But also, it cannot be the only cause of fibromyalgia because the same gene can be responsible for many other diseases as well. Some diseases can be similar to fibromyalgia.
Some other explanations are also there for fibromyalgia-like stress, low quality sleep, and dysfunction of nerve cells that worsen the pain in the brain. And yet, there is no explanation which is for sure a cause. Until we find the cause and cure it, all we have is to treat every symptom separately and manage the condition while never losing hope.
Fibromyalgia patients have to suffer a lot because sometimes it is difficult for them to even perform routine activities. There are some people who have openly told us the stories of how they are living a dreadful life with this illness.
Even, there are some celebrities like Morgan Freeman, who accepted openly that he is suffering from this condition. Life feels like a long string of devastating days with fibromyalgia. Sometimes people lose hope and get into an endless string from which they cannot come out.
Fibromyalgia is not something that you can treat without any concern from doctors. If you feel like you are having chronic pain for a very long time, or you have some severe symptoms; you should consult a doctor to check whether you have fibromyalgia or not.
Various forms of pain have been treated effectively from laser therapy including fibromyalgia. Although chronic pain is not cured of its studies have shown that pain due to fibromyalgia can be alleviated by this laser therapy.
Eve, this deep tissue laser therapy has been approved as a complementary therapy by FDA in the US of America. This therapy can help in managing various chronic pain conditions.
Laser therapy is effective for those who want some alternative prescription therapies. You will feel a relaxing type of warmness and will feel no pain during this treatment. This treatment lasts for a maximum of 10 minutes and you will feel an immediate difference in your first results.
However, make sure that you are choosing a facility where equipment has more efficiency and where well-trained people are available if you want to go for this therapy.
There are several types of medications approved by the FDA. 3 drugs have been approved by FDA i.e. Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella. Since the beginning, Savella is the only drug that is approved for fibromyalgia treatment. The rest of the drugs were used to treat other conditions previously.
Moreover, fibromyalgia symptoms can be lessened by physical therapies and exercising also. It is proved that more endorphins are released in the body and due to this pain is alleviated.
Naltrexone is a medication that is used to help former narcotics, those who stopped using narcotics to remain drug-free. Naltrexone is also used by people addicted to alcohol to stay alcohol-free. Recent studies have shown that it also works with endorphin levels and has the power to release pain, fatigue, and stress in fibromyalgia patients.
There are some other alternative therapies for fibromyalgia patients like meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, acupuncture, etc. all these therapies help in alleviating pain and making the person relaxed.
Arthritis is considered one of the most common diseases related to bones. The statistic shows that more than 50 million Americans in the US suffer from some form of arthritis. Yet, this disease is somehow, still a mystery.
Like arthritis, fibromyalgia is not so common but around 5 million Americans are suffering from it. But fibromyalgia is so much similar to arthritis that it gets difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia and arthritis both are mysterious and can affect one’s life so much that the person feels hard to do daily activities.
Arthritis is a disease in which joints get inflamed and painful. It is believed that 100 forms of arthritis are present and osteoarthritis is considered to be the common one. More quite common forms are rheumatoid arthritis and also gout, psoriatic arthritis, and septic arthritis.
People show joint pain as a symptom of it which becomes so persistent and confined. The developing of stiffness and swelling of joints occur too. Moreover, some other symptoms like poor sleeping, tenderness, muscle aches, malaise, unable to use hands or feet properly, and much more appear too.
Different things cause different forms of arthritis. For instance, the natural wear and tear of joints cause osteoarthritis which is the reason for appearing later on in life. Infection in the joint causes septic arthritis. However, it is difficult to explain rheumatoid arthritis in the real sense of the word.
As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease so it develops without any actual reason. When there is a virus in the body or an infection that needs to be eliminated, the body’s immune cells are created. However, the body’s immune cells start to attack healthy tissues in case of an autoimmune disease. These immune cells start to attack the joints in various body parts without having any reason, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no cure for arthritis but yes it can have treatments. Paracetamol is prescribed in osteoarthritis and ibuprofen in rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors start prescribing other medications as well when these less harmful drugs cannot perform their job anymore.
Moreover, physical therapy is good for patients with arthritis, as it helps to lessen the pain and stiffness. Some other therapies which are believed to perform well are also used in arthritis-like Tai Chi, Yoga, acupuncture, and other eastern practices.
Weigh loss and constant exercise can lead you towards a healthy lifestyle. It can turn one’s life from pain to a normal life. There are a lot of patients who are managing their life successfully with arthritis.
If things are clear for arthritis (except for rheumatoid arthritis), fibromyalgia makes everything complicated. Fibromyalgia is considered to be a syndrome and not a disease, so there are a lot of symptoms of fibromyalgia, some of which become the worst types. Chronic widespread pain is the major symptom that fibromyalgia patients show. You should keep in mind that like arthritis, fibromyalgia is not localized.
Fibromyalgia brings a lot of symptoms other than pain that includes sleeping issues, anxiety, depression, headaches, stiffness, bowels problems, swelling, joint pain (and even arthritis as a co-morbid condition), bladder problems, cognitive issues (fibro fog), and many more symptoms that can be unbearable for pain.
It is so much difficult to put the right diagnosis as there are a lot of symptoms. While it is easy to diagnose arthritis with some tests, fibromyalgia is usually diagnosed by identifying a series of 18 tender points, examining the symptoms, and ruling out the other medical conditions as well. Fibromyalgia can be spotted out by only one kind of test but this test is out of range for many people due to its cost and many insurance companies haven’t covered it yet.
Moreover, it is so much difficult to explain or find fibromyalgia causes. A lot of researchers have put theories about the causes of fibromyalgia but these theories seem like putting forth the risk factors instead of causes that lead towards fibromyalgia.
There are a lot of things that seem to play a role in developing fibromyalgia-like poor sleeping patterns, chemical imbalances, depression, genetics, and lack of proper functioning of pain neurotransmitters. But, there is no one who can tell for sure which one of these actually causes fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia and arthritis have some similarities but their nature is totally different. Both of them run in family and are enigmatic to some extent. Both of them do not have any cure but they do have treatments with medications and therapies etc. however, you should need to know that fibromyalgia treatment frequently goes beyond pain medications and that FDA-approved drugs are prescribed to patients for the treatment which are alike to anti-depressants.
It is important to differentiate between fibromyalgia and arthritis. Both of these conditions could get better from exercises, therapies, home remedies, and alternative practices. Fibromyalgia may need different drugs than arthritis if we talk about medications. Make sure which condition you are having and take adequate treatment for that. It can help you in living a happier and normal life.
It’s something that nobody likes to talk about, but suffering chronic pain very often goes hand in hand with gastrointestinal and/or urinary problems.
For people with CRPS the statistics are stark, with in excess of 90% of sufferers reporting a variety of ongoing gastric issues including constipation, diarrhoea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia and even faecal incontinence.
Urinary problems are also reported frequently by people suffering chronic pain. Urinary voiding dysfunction can cause urgency and even urinary incontinence. Around 25% of people suffering CRPS report urinary problems.
On top of already disabling chronic pain, gastrointestinal and urinary issues can result in a person’s outlook on the world becoming very limited indeed.
Given the frequency with which these problems occur in tandem with chronic pain, it is surprising that there is so little research on a possible relationship between the two. However, it is thought that there may be a number of causes, often interacting with or exacerbating each other.
One factor that is likely playing a role is medication. Constipation is one of the most widely experienced side effects of taking opioid-based medications of which a number, for example Tramadol, Fentanyl, Oramorph and Codeine, are commonly taken by people suffering chronic pain. We have come across a number of cases among clients prescribed opioid-based medication where constant straining has ultimately led to permanent physical damage of rectal nerves and muscles, resulting in faecal incontinence.
However, it’s not just opioids that can be problematic. Many people suffering chronic pain are prescribed antidepressants such as Venlafaxine and Sertraline. In themselves they can cause gastro-type side effects, but in conjunction with an opioid, those side effects can be heightened. This is just one of the problems of living life as a pharmacological cocktail shaker!
It’s well known that psychological changes, including anxiety and depression, can be associated with a change in bowel function, in particular the onset of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), of which faecal urgency is a symptom.
Such factors can also play a role in urinary symptoms such as urgency and an increased need to urinate both at night time (nocturia) and during the day.
The symptoms of CRPS rarely occur in isolation. More commonly sufferers end up with a diversity of symptoms. This is almost certainly because CRPS affects the various systems within the body which are part of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is responsible for unconsciously regulating bodily functions including bowel and bladder function. There is no proven link, but it is possible that there is a direct relationship via the autonomic system between CRPS and bowel and bladder dysfunction.
In her excellent article, “CRPS and Thyroid Problems”, Libby Parfitt highlights the fact that around one third of people suffering CRPS also have an underactive thyroid, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Currently, the reason for this is not understood.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include anxiety and depression and from that perspective we come back to the psychological factors discussed above. However, constipation is in itself a common symptom of hypothyroidism and whilst there is not currently an established link, it is not uncommon for people with hypothyroidism to also report urinary issues.
For people suffering chronic pain conditions who find themselves in litigation, their lawyer must be alert to the possibility of gastro and urinary symptoms. At the very least they should ask their client the right questions.
Depending on the nature of those symptoms, it may be necessary to obtain expert evidence from a colorectal surgeon and/or a urologist. Not only is this crucial to establishing the likely cause of those symptoms (ie the direct or indirect link to the primary pain condition), but specific treatment options must to be considered.
Ultimately, if a claimant is likely to have longstanding problems then the associated financial costs (eg clothing, laundry, absorbent pads, bed mats) need to be factored into the claim.
Musculoskeletal leg pain involves pain that develops in any of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the lower extremities. Conditions ranging from tendinitis to arthritis may be the source of your discomfort. Although this type of pain most frequently develops in the lower back, pain in the leg, hip, knee, or ankle is also common. Musculoskeletal leg pain causes vary from patient to patient. They can range from serious physical disorders to more benign stresses from daily life. Here’s the most common causes, as well as ways to prevent musculoskeletal leg pain.
Leg pain is a broad category of pain that can occur anywhere in the upper or lower leg. It can range in intensity from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. There are multiple causes of leg pain and some can be very serious. Others can be controlled or cured with rest and at-home care, especially proactive treatments that then help prevent leg pain in the future. Acute leg pain will go away after treatment but if pain does not stop after three months, it is considered chronic and may require different treatments to alleviate.
Leg pain usually originates in one of three systems in the human body: the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, or the circulatory system.
Musculoskeletal leg pain occurs in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the leg. Pain originating in the nervous system will usually cause sharp, radiating pain down the sciatic nerve resulting in a condition referred to as sciatica. Circulatory system pain in the leg can feel similar to a condition that affects the musculoskeletal system but is often more typically felt in only one side of the body.
Musculoskeletal leg pain typically doesn’t arise from a disorder or medical condition. About 33% of adults experience pain from overusing their muscles, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In the case of overuse, acute musculoskeletal leg pain could develop from a particularly intense workout. Even carrying a golf bag has been shown to cause musculoskeletal distress in the ankle, according to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Frequently, musculoskeletal leg pain arises from muscle sprains or strains. A sprain occurs when a ligament stretches beyond its capacity or tears. Ligaments are the tissues that connect bones to one another. A strain, meanwhile, involves injury to the muscle or tendon. A tendon is tissue that connects muscle to bone.
While sprains more commonly occur during falls or sports injuries, strains are usually the result from overuse, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). However, strains can also result from overstretching. In the leg, the hamstring muscle is easily susceptible to strains, particularly for athletes. The hamstring is actually made up of three separate muscles that run from the bottom of the pelvis to below the knee. Hamstring tendons connect the muscle to the bone.
Potential hamstring injuries include strains in the muscle itself. Tendonitis—inflammation or irritation—can also develop in the connective tissues. Runners sometimes report high hamstring tendonitis in the portion closest to the pelvis.
Although leg musculoskeletal pain causes are often discussed in terms of overuse, some researchers advocate reframing the issue as underuse. In the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers argued that muscle use was not the problem. The problem was that the muscles had not been used prior to running, jumping, or participating in some other type of activity normally avoided in a person’s mostly sedentary lifestyle. They wrote:
“Articles are often written assessing “injuries” with the implication that they were the result of movement. This explanation, although sequentially accurate, neglects to focus on the fact that a lack of previous movement is more likely the true source.”
To drive the point home, researchers reviewed several studies and found adults who maintain robust exercises regimens typically experience less musculoskeletal pain—not more.
The researchers concluded that while pushing the body too hard may result in injury, not exercising at all increases the risk of injury when a person finally does exercise. Researchers wrote that:
“A review of the current science implicates that too little activity over time may in fact be the primary cause of a large percentage of musculoskeletal injuries… People are more likely to exercise too little than too much.”
Sedentary people who begin vigorously exercising likely put themselves at risk for musculoskeletal injuries. To avoid injury, consider easing into exercise gradually and stay mindful of the body’s physical limits.
Shin splints are characterized by pain on the shin—the bone in the front part of the lower leg. Common in athletes and dancers, shin splints often develop from overuse or changes in exercise routines. This is an acute condition that can be eased through rest and icing the affected area.
Shin splints can re-occur, but wearing supportive shoes and easing up on the exercise can help stave off this type of musculoskeletal leg pain.
Arthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting nearly 70% of people over age 65 and thousands of younger people in the U.S., according to the Arthritis Foundation.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in joints breaks down, causing inflammation and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system fights the body as if it were a foreign virus. Either type of arthritis may result in musculoskeletal leg pain. Common areas this discomfort affects are the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
Arthritis in the hip can lead to trouble walking and pain in nearby areas, such as the thigh or knee. Pain in the foot or ankle is especially common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, with more than 90% of patients reporting musculoskeletal pain in those areas, according to the AAOS.
Widespread, musculoskeletal pain is fibromyalgia’s defining characteristic. Researchers aren’t sure how or why the condition develops, but it affects about 2% of the total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Women are at much higher risk of developing the disorder, with the CDC reporting a 7:1 ratio of women to men.
The disorder sometimes develops after a physical trauma, infection, surgery, or significant episode of stress. Other times, the onset seems random and cannot be attributed to any sort of physical or mental trigger. The condition is believed to run in families, and may have a genetic component.
Whatever the cause, fibromyalgia is believed to induce widespread musculoskeletal leg pain by interfering with the way the brain processes pain. Neurotransmitters that signal pain elevate to abnormally high levels. Meanwhile, receptors in the brain become more sensitive to pain signals, overreacting to the brain’s efforts to communicate distress.
Fibromyalgia’s musculoskeletal pain often manifests as a dull ache as opposed to a shooting or stabbing sensation. Fibromyalgia patients also experience pain above the waist. Other symptoms include:
Balanced nutrition is essential to maintain healthy body systems throughout our lives. Particularly, doctors recommend foods that maintain a good balance of potassium for healthy legs. Both high and low levels of potassium can be dangerous.
Also, the correct amount of calcium and magnesium can help prevent leg pain and degenerative conditions that affect the hips and knees, such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. However, always talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before changing your diet too drastically.
Many sports injuries such as strains and sprains can be prevented with the correct pre-game or workout stretching routine. Add some easy leg stretching routines before you exercise every day to prevent leg pain.
Stretching can not only help prevent injury but it can also help rehabilitate your legs after you’ve suffered from a sports injury. Standing quadriceps flexes, hips flexor stretches, and calf stretches can help before any exercise routine.
Another key to prevent leg pain is to keep your activity low impact. In fact, the aerobics craze of the 1980s actually led to permanent, lifelong injuries for some of the individuals who embraced the culture.
The good news is that low-impact exercise is easy to do and most of the time doesn’t require any additional accessories, except for the proper footwear. Walking is the easiest way to start a low-impact exercise routine. If you’ve not exercised much before, start slowly with an easy walk around your block and add time and distance as you begin to build more stamina and get more comfortable with the activity.
Most people don’t realize how dehydration can affect our systems. By the time you feel thirsty your body is already experiencing dehydration. Lack of hydration can lead to muscle cramps.
Individuals can forget to stay hydrated while engaging in physical activity. It may be easy to remember your water bottle when you’re hiking, but do you think about it when you’re working in your yard?
While frequent massages may seem self-indulgent they can really help keep your body balanced and restored. A massage greatly helps sore muscles, increases circulation, and makes you feel more relaxed.
A trained massage therapist can work with you to pay certain attention to parts of your legs where you may be experiencing minor discomfort. It can also be a great way to treat yourself once in a while.
This Eastern meditative practice has become very popular in the United States. Yoga can help you maintain mind and body balance. It’s also a great low-impact stretching workout for the muscles in your legs.
Poses such as chair, warrior pose, warrior II pose, and the standing forward bend are all great for leg strength. As a bonus, you can also use yoga poses for your pre-exercise stretching routine.
Does a daily walk around your neighborhood sound boring and repetitive to you? Hiking can be a great way to add more scenic walking to your routine.
Depending on where you live, you can hike in river valleys, mountains, or the woods. You could even join a hiking group to make it a more social activity. Always remember to stay safe on the trail, bring plenty of water, and wear appropriate hiking boots that fit well.
Another low-impact activity that can help prevent leg pain and provide a little more excitement than a regular walk is golf.
By skipping the motorized golf cart you get your walking exercise in as you go from hole to hole and the correct swing technique also stretches the muscles in your legs. Like hiking, golf is also a great group activity.
Your doctor can help you with any questions you have about your body. While we often turn to them only after there is a concern or a problem, doctors really do have a desire to proactively help prevent injuries and illnesses in their patients. If you want to know more about ways to prevent leg pain in your life, your doctor is a great resource.
Stress is a complex, natural response to a perceived dangerous threat. When we feel stress, our bodies release extra adrenaline and cortisol, giving us the temporary ability to move faster, to think more quickly, and to react instinctively. When the threat goes away, our bodies return to a neutral state. This response is healthy and helpful. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can lead to huge changes in the body, including higher levels of pain. Here’s what you should know about the impact of stress.
Cortisol is an important hormone in our bodies; it helps control immune function, is an important part of our body’s inflammatory response, and helps control blood sugar. Cortisol levels are normally highest during the day, with a regular drop at night. When we are under chronic stress, however, that drop does not occur. Our bodies continue to pump out cortisol.
At the end of a long, stressful day, we feel it in our bodies. Our necks ache, maybe our lower back hurts. This could be a direct result of holding our muscles tense for a long period of time and usually goes away once we are able to relax or once the stressful event has ended. But did you know that that stress can impact pain levels for chronic pain sufferers?
Stress makes chronic pain more intense for longer periods of time, continuing long after the stressful event has ended.
Chronic pain is long-term pain that requires management and monitoring. Acute pain is pain (often from an injury or muscle strain) that lasts for three months or more. Chronic pain, on the other hand, lasts for more than three months and is difficult to treat. Stress can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic pain throughout the body.
Some studies have shown that a continued release of cortisol can result in higher vulnerability to chronic pain, even if the pain was acute to begin with. This means that a person who has an acute pain episode, as from an injury, is more susceptible to longer healing times and/or chronic pain from that injury.
All of these symptoms of stress impact the body’s ability to deal with the symptoms of chronic pain. For example, anxious people tend to hold their breath. This limits the amount of oxygen available to the muscles of the body, causing them to contract. If the contraction is anywhere that the pain is centered, the sensation intensifies, causing more anxiety, more pain, and so on.
What happens when stress becomes a way of life? What impact does chronic stress have on the mind? Chronic stress can manifest itself in different ways and can be caused by many different things. A stressful job, worries about finances, chronic illness, death of a loved one, or trouble at home: these are just a few of the factors that can lead to chronic stress.
Those who are suffering from chronic stress may respond differently than normal. They may be agitated and angry, with a quick temper: the “fight” aspect of a reaction to stress. Normally small problems, such as slow traffic or a loud child, may cause them to overreact.
This hair-trigger angry response can cause serious health issues. There is a connection between anger and stress and increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even hours after the angry outburst. After an angry outburst, people may be five times more likely to have a heart attack and three times more likely to have a stroke as long as three hours afterwards. This result held true even if the anger was not expressed, and the more angry episodes, the higher the risk.
Instead of being agitated and angry, some people respond to chronic stress by shutting down, becoming nervous or anxious, or overindulging in food, drink, or drugs. These responses are more of the “flight” aspect of stress. The chronically stressed person pulls away from whatever the stress is and becomes withdrawn. In the face of chronic stress, others might freeze up, unable to make a decision or move in any direction. The person responding in this manner might seem calm, but underneath remains very anxious and agitated.
The effects of long-term stress on the healthy body are well-documented, so it stands to reason that one of the effects of stress on a person suffering from chronic pain is more pain.
Beyond this, chronic stress can cause serious, long-term health issues that can only be dealt with successfully once the underlying cause of the stress is examined and addressed.
The best way to counteract this is to reduce stress levels as much as possible. Eliminating stress or developing effective coping strategies result in positive changes to a person’s health and well-being.
Bones are living tissue and, because of this, the body is constantly absorbing and replacing minerals from bones. When the body begins to absorb minerals faster than it can replace them, bone density decreases. This decrease in bone density can lead to osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone.” Here’s what you should know about osteoporosis prevention and early detection.
Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle, which means that there is a greatly increased risk of broken bones, especially hips. 40 million people in the United States either have osteoporosis already or are at high risk of developing it. According to an article published in the mcgill Journal of Medicine, as many as 250,000 hip fractures are attributed to osteoporosis each year in the United States.
Bones are living structures in our bodies, and up until around age 35 they are actively growing and getting stronger. Although bones continue to grow for nearly our entire lives, after age 35, bones begin to deteriorate. Once deterioration occurs at a faster rate than bone growth, osteoporosis can develop. Bones develop pockets that cause weakness and can eventually lead to fracture from just a little pressure. The key to managing osteoporosis is focusing on early prevention, correct diagnosis, and proper treatment.
There are often no symptoms associated with early osteoporosis, and later symptoms can be subtle enough to ignore. Because of this, many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until a bump, strain, or fall causes a broken bone. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the risk factors for osteoporosis.
Frame size: People with smaller frame sizes are at a higher risk, because they have less bone mass to begin with
If you have multiple risk factors, your doctor might suggest a bone density test. This is also called a bone scan. Even if the patient is not diagnosed with osteoporosis as a result of the bone scan, it’s possible the test might show a lowered bone density. This means a higher risk for osteoporosis later on. Knowing that a patient is at risk for osteoporosis can allow his or her physician to suggest therapies or medications to slow or stop the onset of osteoporosis.
The most effective way to prevent osteoporosis is to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the first two decades of life by eating a nutrient-rich diet and exercising regularly. However, it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
For example, avoiding tobacco use and excessive alcohol is highly recommended, since both can both weaken bones and lead to osteoporosis. Here’s some ways to practice osteoporosis prevention, both before you’re diagnosed and how to manage symptoms if you are.
A healthy diet is key to osteoporosis prevention. It’s recommended that the average adult get around 1,000 mg of calcium every day, although women over 50 and men over 70 should get about 1,200 mg. When the body doesn’t have enough calcium to function, it takes calcium from the bones, leading to decreased bone density and osteoporosis. The National Institutes of Health provide a table of recommended calcium intake for different populations.
The body also needs vitaminD because it aids in the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D from the sun can be absorbed through the skin, or it can be obtained through diet. Foods like egg yolks, liver, saltwater fish, and fortified dairy products are rich in vitamin D. If needed, there are also supplements available that provide both calcium and vitamin D.
Exercises that strengthen the muscles will also strengthen the bones, which can prevent or slow the onset of osteoporosis.
Activities like running, jogging, dancing, or jumping rope can strengthen bones, but these are all quite high-impact and more appropriate for those who do not have any loss of bone density.
If a patient has already been diagnosed with lowered bone density or osteoporosis, high-impact exercises could cause bone fractures. Therefore, low-impact exercises such as using an elliptical or stair-step machine, practicing gentle aerobics, or walking can be beneficial for patients with osteoporosis.
Another simple but very important way of preventing broken bones is to avoid falling. The people most at risk for osteoporosis are seniors and the elderly. This population is also, unfortunately, more likely to have impaired balance, sight, and strength. And, this can lead to falls.
Simple preventative measures include:
Moving electrical cords
Having proper lighting
Putting salt on ice in the winter
A broken hip can be extremely detrimental to a patient’s quality of life and, in some cases, can even lead to death. Because the hip is so necessary to movement, a broken hip can interfere with the ability to take part in everyday activities.
Many seniors who break a hip are unable to care for themselves afterwards and must turn to long-term nursing care. Additionally, as many as 20% of seniors who break a hip will die within a year. This may be because of conditions related to the broken bone or the surgery to repair the broken bone.
Key to managing osteoporosis is proper diagnosis. This may seem straightforward (go to the doctor, get screened, get a diagnosis), but research from the University of California Davis Health System has found that osteoporosis screenings aren’t targeting the highest risk populations.
The screening records of 51,000 women who were between the ages of 40 and 85 and received health care in the Sacramento region were examined over a seven-year period. Physician and study lead Anna Lee Amarnath found that 42% of eligible women between the ages of 65 and 74 and 57% of women over 75 were not screened. This was true even when these women were at risk and screening was warranted.
Conversely, 46% of low-risk women between 50 and 59 and 59% of those between 60 and 64 were screened for osteoporosis without cause. Amarnath and her team believe this lopsided screening was caused by one primary factor: the timing of menopause.
Most doctors begin to think of osteoporosis risk for their patients when they enter menopause, typically around 50 years of age. Thus, screenings tend to occur at that time. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that osteoporosis screenings occur after age 65 unless risk factors are present, but the behavior of doctors in this large study suggests that recommendation is not being followed.
Another population that is typically ignored in osteoporosis screening is men. Although two million men in the U.S. have osteoporosis, with an estimated eight to 13 million more with low bone density, the majority of men avoid osteoporosis screenings.
What is most troubling about these findings is that although men are typically less affected by osteoporosis, when they do have it and suffer a hip fracture because of it, they are twice as likely to die as women. Men are also more likely to lose their independence after a fracture than women and require more post-fracture care.
If you do suffer a fall or break from osteoporosis, it can lead to ongoing chronic pain. For a successful recovery, it’s important to regain mobility and resume normal day to day activities as soon as possible. To assist in this, there are various pain–management techniques that can alleviate discomfort or pain.
Because stronger muscles provide better protection from broken bones, it’s important for patients with osteoporosis to talk to their physicians about pain management techniques, as well as strengthening exercises that are appropriate for them.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (nsaids) are effective for reducing inflammation, thereby lessening discomfort.
Alternatively, the patient’s physician may recommend a spinal nerve block injection. This injection is a pain medication, like lidocaine or mepivacaine, that is delivered directly to the affected spinal nerve. A similar procedure called a hip joint injection is the insertion of anesthetics directly into the hip joint. Both a spinal nerve block and a hip joint injection might also contain corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Another type of pain management therapy involves electric currents. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is the placement of small pads or a cap on the affected area. Electrical impulses are delivered that block pain signals along the nerves. TENS has received support as an effective pain management treatment, that is also very low-risk.
