Chronic pain is any pain that lasts more than three to four months. While acute pain is the normal sensation that alerts you to an illness or injury, chronic pain persists for a few months or even longer. According to medical statistics, chronic pain is estimated to affect around twenty percent of U.S. adults. Alliance Spine Associates, LLC provides pain management solutions to enhance your musculoskeletal function and ease the pain. Normally, chronic pain is caused by chronic diseases, nervous system dysfunction, musculoskeletal injury, and autoimmune disorders. Here is a look at the common types of chronic pains.

Chronic Headaches

A chronic headache occurs for more than fifteen days per month for over three consecutive months. According to research, around fifty percent of adults in America report a headache annually, with around ninety percent reporting a lifetime history of headaches. The common types of chronic headaches are; migraines, tension headaches, eye strain headaches, and cluster headaches. You should consider medical pain management options if you have ongoing or severe headaches that don’t go away with simple home remedies.

Chronic Back Pain

Back pain is an epidemic in the U.S. and is the top cause of disability and lost productivity in workplaces. Research by the University of North Carolina, more than 84% of adults in America will experience chronic back pain at some point during their lifetime. Back pain is often caused by an injury or develops gradually due to osteoporosis, arthritis, or the normal process of wear and tear. Other causes of chronic back pain include; spinal stenosis, bulging or slipped discs, compression fractures, and structural deformities such as lordosis and scoliosis.

Chronic Nerve Pain

According to research, neuropathic pain affects one in every ten Americans. The nerve pain commonly occurs when the nerves are either damaged, compressed, or exposed to medications that damage the myelin sheath, the protective exterior nerve coating. Some common chronic nerve pain conditions include; sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, etc. Sciatica is normally caused by nerve compression that produces a shooting pain that goes down the leg. Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with repetitive movements while diabetic neuropathy affects the arms.

Chronic Joint Pain

chronic joint pain is another main type of chronic pain among Americans. Most chronic joint pain results from infections, injury, or older age.   According to a medical report, arthritis is the major cause of chronic joint pain, affecting more than fifty million Americans. Other common causes of chronic joint pain include; rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, repetitive motion injury, tendinitis, and bursitis. The common symptoms of joint problems include stiffness, bruising, swelling, warmth, and redness. You might also experience sharp or dull pain, numbness, tingling, or burning pain.

Ultimately, if you struggle with one or more of the reviewed types of chronic pain, you are a good candidate for pain management. The doctor will review your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history to customize your treatment. If conservative treatments such as ice or heat, physical therapy, rest, elevation, and compression don’t relieve your pain, your doctor might recommend surgical options.

A child’s well-being is determined by how well they grow and develop from birth until they are of age. For parents to ensure their children remain healthy, they must ensure that regular pediatric care is vital in guiding a child’s development. Pediatrics is more than treating your child; it helps create a conducive environment. Some parents wish to take their children for pediatric care where there are ideal specialists without success. Having a good Falls Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania specialist would be best to attend to your child’s well-being. No parent would joke about their child’s health, no matter how small the condition might be. Here are some top most benefits of pediatric care for you to know.

Reduces Mortality Rates of Children

Children are prone to different problems from the time they are born until they become adults. When they are not monitored and subjected to the right care, they may not make it until they move from that stage. However, pediatric care helps monitor a child’s growth to ensure they are healthy and display normal growth and development. Some diseases are common in children, while other chronic conditions can be prevented before they become fatal, such as asthma and diabetes. Early treatment is essential to prevent deaths due to ignorance and lack of proper pediatric care.

Ensure Your Child Is Immunized Accordingly

Immunization is essential for every child to ensure smooth growth without becoming sick with unnecessary diseases. Parents lose track of their children’s immunization stages, which may become problematic in the future. However, pediatricians keep their medical records of every child they handle and update the parents on when to take their children for immunization and any other important engagements necessary for the child. Your child will be free from diseases such as measles and chickenpox, which may affect your child’s growth.

Strengths Child’s- To- Pediatrician Communication

Children tend to be more open to people they feel free to; sometimes, it may be the pediatrician. Visiting the doctor regularly creates a strong bond between your child and the doctor, which may allow your child to open up on matters that they may feel or fear to open up to you as the parent. Honesty and openness may help the pediatrician to diagnose some underlying conditions effectively. Pediatricians can often tell when the child is unwell and offer the best treatment based on their relationship.

Pediatric Care Engages the Parents

Parents may note when their child is unwell but cannot tell what the problem is. However, when they engage a pediatrician, this becomes easy as they can understand their child’s condition. They become well informed on their child’s growth and any unusual condition they should monitor closely. Parents also understand how well they can take care of their children and how to handle emergencies if their children develop a problem.

Children are the future and must be handled and brought up correctly. Parents must ensure their child is in good health and has all the necessary vaccines to prevent unforeseen diseases. Your child may grow to be a healthy adult when you subject them to the right pediatrician from birth until they attain the right age. Ensure you choose the right specialist to take care of your child.

The nervous system is one of the most important systems of an individual body since it acts as the command center. Like most organs, the nervous system can suffer from various disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. Since these conditions are acute, they prompt people to seek treatment. Even though there are many treatments out there, most people choose to consult a neurosurgeon Flowood due to their expertise. With many theories revolving around the same, it is time to shun them. You should stop believing the following myths if you seek this treatment. 

The Best Neurosurgeons Are Located in the Major Cities

 In most instances, people travel from various parts of the country to a coastal city looking for a neurosurgeon that will help them. Even though there are many neurosurgeons in these cities, others are also in mid-sized cities. Before moving to other cities, you should check whether your town has a qualified neurosurgeon. If you find one, you will save the cost and time of moving to another city.

Neurosurgeons only Work on the Brain

Even though the brain is the largest part of the neurosurgical specialty, it is not the only part. For instance, some specialists are also involved in treating both the spine and the spinal cord. Since the brain acts like a central processor, it also needs a spinal column that connects the body with the brain. Moreover, the spinal column will support the body’s pelvis permitting it to have varying movements. The neurosurgeon should have an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships of these systems.

The Surgery is the Only Option

Some people believe that surgery is the only treatment to treat their condition. Even though surgery is used in the treatment, it is not usually the best. Surprisingly, doctors spend a lot of time looking for ways to eliminate or minimize the surgery. The main reason is surgery has several side effects, and a person takes a while before they recover. In most instances, the specialists usually use surgery as a last resort. You should, therefore, not fear visiting the specialist, thinking that you must have surgery.

Neurosurgeons only Perform Surgeries

Most people believe that the only work of neurosurgeons is to conduct surgeries. However, not all doctor’s visits will result in surgery. Sometimes neurosurgeons can diagnose and treat neurological problems with methods other than surgery. You should not fail to book an appointment because you fear that you must undergo surgery.

All Neurosurgery is Highly Invasive

In most instances, neurosurgery is represented as frightening in some television medical dramas. However, this is not the case since others are minimally invasive. For example, some of the surgeries will use small incisions, while others will not require any incisions. You should speak with the specialist to choose the best surgery for you.

The nervous system is usually acute and requires an individual to seek immediate medical attention. However, there have been instances where individuals still need to seek these services due to the myths surrounding this practice which has negatively cost them. The best way to overcome the treatment fears is to seek the right information from the specialist. Check with a qualified specialist who can effectively answer your questions and address your worries.

A coronary angiogram or cardiac catheterization is a medical imaging treatment where your doctor can check the functioning of your heart. During this procedure, your healthcare provider will place a small, hollow plastic tube into a blood vessel in your neck, groin, or arm and thread it to the coronary arteries. Cardiac catheterization procedures are very beneficial as they can be used to check for a wide array of heart complications. This imaging procedure can also be used to obtain your blood samples, measure the varying pressures in your heart, and monitor your oxygen levels. After placing the catheter properly, your provider will inject a dye to help check blood flow through the tube. In this post, we will tell you all you need to know about Tomball cardiac catheterization.

What Are the Main Uses of Cardiac Catheterization Procedures?

As mentioned earlier, coronary angiogram procedures can be used to check for various factors that may affect the normal functions of your heart. Below are some of the main uses of this imaging procedure:

• Check the functioning of your heart muscles
• Determine the immediate cause of your abnormal heart rhythm or chest pains
• Evaluate the functioning of your pulmonary arteries
• Remove blockages in your artery
• Assist with the planning of heart transplant procedures
• Diagnose mitral valve regurgitation, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, or aortic stenosis
• Diagnose disease of the aorta, valve disease, or coronary artery disease
• Determine the need for further heart treatments, such as heart surgery

Before the Procedure

Before the actual cardiac catheterization procedure, you will be taken to a room where your practitioner will request you to wear a hospital gown and offer you warm, comfy blankets. You will then be requested to lie on a special table, and an intravenous line will be injected into your arm to receive fluids and other medications during the procedure. Your healthcare provider will clean and even shave the hair around the insertion site, where they will place the tiny, narrow plastic tube. With your hands and arms down at your side, sterile drapes will be used to prevent the risk of infection. Small, sticky patches (electrodes) will be placed on your chest and are linked to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG) that displays your heart rhythm and rate. While you will be awake during the whole procedure, your doctor will offer you a mild sedative to help you remain relaxed.

During the Procedure

Once all the preparations are complete, and the catheter is in place, your healthcare provider will carefully inject a dye through the tiny, hollow plastic tube to help monitor blood flow in your blood vessels. Digital images of this contrast material are then displayed on a monitor to help your doctor notice any problems in your coronary artery. X-ray cameras can also capture images of your heart chambers and major blood vessels. When all the photographs have been taken, your doctor will gently remove the plastic tube to prevent the risk of bleeding. You will also be requested to remain still as the catheter is being removed to avoid any complications after the procedure.

At Cardiovascular Institute, we have provided the residents living in and around Tomball, Texas, with comprehensive and individualized treatments for cardiovascular diseases. Led by Dr. Daljit Muttiana, MD, FSCAI, and the highly skilled team of medical experts, you are guaranteed to receive long-lasting solutions to problems in your circulatory system, such as varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Get started today and book an appointment or call us today at 281-612-9791.

As we age, some things like wrinkles and facial lines are inevitable. These changes can be undesirable as they can diminish your healthy and youthful skin appearance. Several cosmetic treatments, including microneedling and fillers, are gaining popularity today to restore youthful skin. If you want to try the microneedling procedure, the solution lies with Regenerative Medspa of Buckhead. Microneedling may sound scary, but it comes with amazing advantages to your skin. Now, let’s consider some important reasons why you should consider getting microneedling.

Restoring Sagging Skin

As you age, your skin begins to produce diminished elastin and collagen, essential in enabling your skin to look and feel more robust. As a result, reduced production of elastin and collagen makes your skin looser and more vulnerable to lines and wrinkles. Microneedling is integral as it applies a special device to develop a series of small micro-injuries in your skin. These slight injuries trigger your skin’s natural processes, including improved collagen and elastin production.

No Downtime

The procedure is minimally invasive and nonsurgical, meaning it does not involve incisions or anesthesia. Lack of incisions and anesthesia indicates there minimal risks of problems with other invasive treatments and no downtime after treatment. This process will enable you to return to your daily activities and routine after treatment. However, you will experience some redness in the treatment site, although it disappears soon afterward.

Enabling Skincare Products Function Well

When you have invested in quality skin care products, you expect them to benefit the skin as much as possible. However, it may be difficult for them to penetrate your skin. Do not worry because micro needling is integral in improving your skin’s ability to absorb these products. It develops several tiny holes in your skin, making it easy for the products to sink into the skin easily.

Treating Stretch Marks and Scars

In most cases, scars and stretch marks occur when your skin reacts to an injury resulting from trauma like a cut or stretch beyond normal limits. Both stretch marks and scars are responsible for damaging collagen and elastin fibers. Unluckily, these conditions are inevitable, and nothing you can do alone to fix the issue. However, microneedling may solve the issues by breaking down the damaged tissue and fostering the development of healthy and fresh tissue.

Enhancing Overall Skin Health

Apart from improving the overall skin appearance, micro-needling improves general skin health. Your immune system critically fixes the damaged skin by stimulating blood circulation in the region. More blood indicates your skin is obtaining extra nutrients and oxygen, which will help the skin remain healthy.

Treating Sun Destroyed and Discolored Skin

Sometimes your skin may be damaged by the sun or become discolored. Fortunately, microneedling effectively addresses this issue, which is critical in increasing collagen production. New collagen enhances the tone and texture of your skin, treating visible signs of skin damage. With time, the sunspots start fading giving your skin a youthful and vibrant appearance. 

Sagging skin, scars, and stretch marks, among other skin conditions, can be frustrating as they deteriorate your skin appearance and overall health. If you are stuck securing a cosmetic center, we have you covered. Regenerative MedSpa of Buckhead is a health and wellness spa offering several outstanding aesthetic services, including microneedling led by Dr. Beata Grochowska and Karolina Grochowska. Schedule an appointment online or call them to restore youthful and vibrant skin.

As you get older, there is a natural decrease in the production of skin cells, proteins, and amino acids that support skin health. Collagen makes up over 75% of your skin and is essential in creating the structural framework of tissues and aiding wound healing. The reduction in collagen production causes skin sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines. The wrinkles that attack your neck are often called neck wrinkles or lines. The Queens neck lines from aging usually appear horizontally. Still, you may have vertical neck wrinkles or lines resulting from keeping the head in the same position over a long time, such as when sleeping or using a computer.

Prevention of neck wrinkles

• Perform neck exercises

Exercising daily or remaining physically active is vital for tightening and toning the muscles in the neck and preventing stiffness. As a result, you will benefit from relatively less sagging skin, increased blood flow in the area with wrinkles, and more production of proteins like collagen that help in maintaining healthy skin.

Practicing yoga can help prevent neck wrinkles.

• Moisturize the neck

The moisturizer you apply should contain hydrating ingredients and antioxidants to prevent wrinkles and creases in your neck.

• Wear sunscreen

Wear sunscreen that can protect you against the harmful sun’s UV rays when outdoors. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays usually leads to the burning of the skin and reduction in its elasticity and, thus, the formation of premature signs of aging.

Also, it is possible to prevent neck wrinkles by staying hydrated, eating healthily, managing stress, and avoiding smoking.

Treatment of neck wrinkles

There are various treatments your doctor can rely on for treating or removing neck wrinkles. Your doctor will recommend the right treatment depending on your needs.

• Botox injections

Ensure you receive Botox injections from a licensed dermatologist or clinician, which is essential for avoiding severe side effects. Botox injections on your neck will cause the muscles to relax, which can prevent or remove existing wrinkles.

Because Botox treatment lasts a few months, you will need regular injections if you desire long-lasting results.

• Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion involves a skin specialist using a hand-held device to remove the top layer of your skin. The resulting skin appears even and younger.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that microdermabrasion on your neck should last about 20 minutes.

• Laser resurfacing

The treatment involves exposing your skin to beams of light. Laser resurfacing helps to boost the production of collagen and other proteins that deliver healthy skin. More creation of collagen makes your skin plumper, minimizes wrinkles, and reduces uneven skin tone.

• Microneedling

Microneedling involves pricking the skin using tiny, sterilized needles. The creation of small wounds triggers your body’s self-healing mechanism, and thus there is more collagen and elastin production. As a result, you will have improved skin texture and fewer neck wrinkles.

Other treatments your dermatologist may recommend are filler injections, chemical peels, and surgery. A surgical procedure may involve removing a small amount of your skin to stretch the neck area with wrinkles and make it firmer.

Contact Leva Medica today to schedule an appointment and learn more about neck wrinkles.

Allergy testing reveals allergens that might cause allergies, like pet dander, mold, bee stings, and peanuts. There are several methods for allergy testing Fort Worth. Your healthcare practitioner will choose the appropriate technique based on your symptoms and possible allergies. Among these tests are:

1. Blood (IgE) test: A sample of your blood is sent to a lab by your physician. The allergens are added to the blood sample, and the levels of IgE antibodies are measured. However, blood testing might provide more false-positive findings.
2. Skin prick (scratch) test: Your physician uses a small needle to prick the skin on your forearm or back with 10 to 50 different probable allergies. Alternatively, your provider may apply droplets of possible allergens to your skin and use a device to scrape and softly pierce the region, allowing the liquid to penetrate your skin. Redness often occurs within 15 minutes after exposure. Your reaction might be a rash or the elevated, circular area known as wheals. Also, this test looks for airborne allergens, food allergies, and penicillin allergies.
3. Patch examination: This test aims to determine the cause of contact dermatitis. Your physician applies allergen drops to the skin on your arm and wraps it in a bandage. Also, your physician may apply an allergen-containing patch (bandage). You wear the application for 48 to 96 hours before returning to the provider’s office. Your physician then removes the bandage to inspect your skin for a rash or other response.
4. Challenge tests: This test is only performed under a clinician’s direct, in-person supervision. People suspected of having food or medication allergies consume (swallow) a small quantity of an allergen. This test is often performed by an allergist. Medical monitoring is required. If you develop anaphylaxis, the clinician will administer an epinephrine injection as soon as possible to halt the response.
5. Intradermal skin test: If the findings of the skin prick test are negative or inconclusive, you may be given an intradermal skin test. Small doses of the allergen are injected into the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) by your physician. This test looks for sensitivities to irritants in the air, medicines, and insect bites.

The risks of allergy testing

Allergy tests may cause moderate skin irritation, redness, and edema. Wheals are tiny pimples that occur on the skin from time to time. These indicators often go away within a few hours, although they might continue for a few days. These symptoms can be relieved with mild topical steroid creams. Rarely allergy tests cause an instant, serious allergic reaction that necessitates medical treatment. Thus, allergy testing should be performed in a doctor’s office with proper drugs and equipment, including epinephrine, to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal acute allergic reaction. You are recommended to call your specialist immediately if you have a severe response after leaving their office.

Once your physician has discovered which allergens are causing your symptoms, you and your doctor can collaborate to develop a strategy for avoiding and managing them. Also, your clinician may recommend drugs to alleviate your indicators. Call Clover Internal Medicine to schedule your appointment today to determine which allergy testing procedure works best for you.

When it comes to chiropractic care, you need to understand that chiropractors can provide various treatments for various medical conditions. Your chiropractor Flatiron District can guide you through the process of learning which technique is best suited to your condition, and they can provide relief from chronic pain and discomfort.

What to expect

After you book an appointment with a chiropractor, they will perform a physical examination to diagnose any underlying medical issues. Then, your chiropractor can create an individualized treatment plan that fits your needs.

Chiropractors are trained in various techniques that can be used to treat different medical conditions. These techniques include manual adjustments, mobilizations, soft tissue work, and therapeutic exercises. With these techniques, your chiropractor will help you improve your mobility and reduce pain.

Some of the more common conditions chiropractors treat include:

Back pain

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments for back pain, as it helps to realign the spine and reduce inflammation. Your chiropractor can also advise on improving your posture and ergonomics, which can help prevent future back pain. Despite the multiple causes of back pain, chiropractic care is an effective treatment for many types of back pain.

Neck pain

Various factors, including poor posture, overuse, muscle strain, and injury, can cause neck pain. Chiropractors use different techniques to diagnose and treat neck pain, such as spinal adjustments and soft tissue work.

Headaches

Some of the factors contributing to a headache include stress, muscle tension, and poor posture can cause headaches. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose the underlying causes of headaches so they can provide an effective treatment plan. Depending on the cause, chiropractic care may include manual adjustments, trigger point therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Sports injuries

Sports injuries range from minor sprains and strains to serious tears and fractures. Chiropractors are skilled at diagnosing sports injuries and providing the best possible treatments for these conditions. This includes recommending therapeutic exercises, soft tissue work, and other care forms that can help reduce pain and improve healing time.

Sciatica

It is a condition that results in radiating pain from the lower back down the leg. It can be caused by a herniated disc or other causes of nerve compression. Chiropractic care may include spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle changes to help manage sciatica symptoms.

Benefits of seeing a chiropractor

Now that you are aware of the medical conditions, these are the benefits you will enjoy when you consult a chiropractor:

• Improved mobility: You can gain flexibility and range of motion with chiropractic care. This is because manual adjustments help to realign the spine and soft tissue work helps to reduce tension in tight muscles.
• Pain relief: When it comes to pain relief, chiropractic care is a great option. Manual adjustments can help to reduce inflammation which in turn helps to reduce pain and improve the overall quality of life.
• Injury prevention: Chiropractors are trained to identify biomechanical issues that may be causing or contributing to an injury. They will then provide treatments that can help you prevent future injuries from occurring.
• Improved overall health: Chiropractic care can help to improve your overall emotional and physical well-being by helping to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve circulation.

If you are struggling with chronic pain or injury, it is important to speak with your chiropractor at NYPT Health & Rehab.

Keeping your eyes healthy is a top priority when it comes to overall health and wellness. Arranging regular eye exams with a certified ophthalmologist offers numerous advantages and could safeguard your eyes’ health for years. At Precision Eye Institute, Dr. Sean McLoughlin, and Dr. Orest Krajnyk offer comprehensive eye exams that look into every eye health and vision need. If you are still not convinced of the benefits of regular Margaritaville eye exams, continue reading to learn more. Here are five reasons you should always see your eye specialist for your exam.

1) Enhances Your Vision

It is hard to see clearly and concentrate if you have double or blurry vision, eye redness, floaters, or light flashes or halos surrounding lights. A trip to your eye specialist might be all you need to find a remedy to your issue. Your provider might recommend glasses or medicines to improve your eyesight. Keep up with your specialist’s appointments so that they can gauge your progress.

2) Avoids Eye Strain

During your eye exam, your specialist will determine how long you spend looking at screens. Most people get eye strain from excessive usage of digital displays during leisure or at work. Your doctor can advise you on how to lessen the negative effects of blue electronic light on your eyes.

If you can address your eyestrain, you can become more productive and avoid associated headaches and light sensitivity. Your provider might also recommend anti-glare glasses to reduce eye strain from screen use.

3) Visual Examinations Are Not Adequate

Most people believe that clearing a vision test at school or the department of motor vehicles (DMV) indicates their eyes are healthy. However, these checks only determine if your eyes have difficulty focusing. For instance, a screening exam at school will just evaluate the kid’s ability to read what is on the classroom blackboard.

At the DMV, they will examine your awareness of road signs. However, good eyesight does not invalidate the existence of significant eye conditions. An eye doctor should examine your eyes to rule out any possible eye problems.

4) Diagnoses Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious and elusive eye condition. In its early phases, there are no noticeable signs. Most individuals have no clue that something is awry. Most individuals know the condition after it causes serious impacts, such as irreversible visual loss.

Once the condition has progressed, therapy becomes ineffective. If medications and surgery fail, the individual will become blind. Nevertheless, if you attend regular eye exams, your doctor can detect glaucoma symptoms soon enough. If therapy starts early, the condition is reversible.

5) Identifies Other Health Issues

The eyes are sometimes referred to as the “portal to the heart,” and true to that, they also provide information about your general health. An eye doctor can extrapolate information about your body’s circulatory system from the retina’s veins. Warning signs of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain cancers manifest in the eyes. If you have any risk factors for these disorders, like those with a genetic predisposition, you must consider routine eye checkups.

Eye exams are equally as vital as annual physicals. At Precision Eye Institute, Dr. Krajnyk and Dr. McLoughlin employ cutting-edge technologies and advanced techniques to identify and address a wide range of eye concerns. Whether you have a prevailing eye condition or not, schedule an eye exam consultation today. Call the office near you or book an appointment online to get started.