Medicine Tips
Read these 21 Medicine Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Backpain tips and hundreds of other topics.
Tietze's Syndrome
Tietze's Syndrome or costochondritis is a syndrome of chest wall pain that is due to inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall (rib bones, breastbone, and the associated cartilage).
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) was one of the original non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and is now available without a prescription. The recommended dose is 400 mg every eight hours, although prescription doses can be as high as 800 mg every eight hours. Check with your doctor about this medication if you are taking any blood-thinning meds.
Over the counter medicines
Use anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen to reduce the swelling and pain associated with minor back pain. It works!
Myelography
A myelogram is an x-ray test that uses dye directly injected into your spinal canal to help show places where your spinal cord may be getting pinched by the vertebrae in your back. It is sometimes used to help diagnose back or leg pain problems, especially if surgery is being planned.
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a relatively new procedure which can promise dramatic relief from painful vertebral body compression fractures. This procedure is performed by radiologists in an x-ray department.
Facet joint problems
Facet joints, the interlocking bones at the rear of the spine, can cause pain if the surrounding muscles are sprained (torn) or strained (stretched to far), perhaps by a sudden jerk or twist. They can also cause pain if the bones become worn due to arthritis or gradual wear and tear occurring naturally with aging, or if the discs that cushion them break down, causing friction as the joint becomes unnaturally compressed. Facet joint problems can trigger muscular backache by sending nearby muscles into painful spasms to immobilize the area.
Disc herniation
Spinal discs are flat, round structures that consist of a tough outer ring of fibrous tissue surrounding a gelatinous center. These cushioning spinal discs are like shock absorbers, and can wear out, especially with punishment. The disc begins to slip out of its place between the vertebra, causing a bulge and pain by irritating nerves within the discs outer shell. If the disc herniates, or ruptures, the resulting protrusion can press on a nerve of the spinal cord or even on the spinal cord itself. Excruciating pain will be felt locally, and typically in other areas of the body, legs or feet.
Kyphosis
Abnormally increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side is referred to as kyphosis (hunchback or humpback). This condition may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, chronic respiratory diseases or a congenital disorder. It never develops from poor posture.
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is not really a diagnosis, but refers to the changes that occur, often with age, to the discs and vertebrae of the back.
Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis is a chronic inflammation of the arachnoid layer of the meninges, which are the coverings of the brain and spinal cord.
Arachnoiditis has been known to the medical profession for many years as a rare complication of spinal surgery, trauma and meningitis. The major symptom is severe chronic intractable pain, usually in the lower back, legs and feet initially, characteristically described as burning.
Ligament Sprains
Stretching ligaments too far or too quickly makes them tear and bleed into surrounding tissues, causing swelling and pain. Motor vehicle and sporting accidents are common causes.
Slipped disc
If you feel pain in the back and extending into the leg, pins and needles, muscle weakness or numbness in the lower part of the leg, the cause of that could be protrusion of disc also known as slipped disc.
Indications
Medications are indicated to help patients optimize their activity. Treatment should initially be acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There is no best drug; in general, the shorter-acting drugs are better because any adverse effects don't last as long.
Muscle Strains
Minor back muscle strains quickly improve on their own, but more severe strains will need physiotherapy treatment to relieve pain and promote healing.
Pinched nerve
The term pinched nerve describes one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. The injury may result from compression, constriction, or stretching.
Symptoms: tenderness, tingling, or numbness in one part of your body, often a limb. Also, pins and needles, burning, or tearing pain where a nerve is being irritated.
The most frequently recommended treatment for pinched nerve is rest, corticosteroids and physical therapy.
A pinched nerve is usually healed within a few days to a week
Capsaicin might help
To get extended relief from pain, without smelling like a eucalyptus farm, try capsaicin patches. They provide long lasting pain relief without the strong smell, and no greasy liniment to get all over your clothes!
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