Pain Management and Chronic Pain + Original Articles

Popular painkillers acetaminophen, ibuprofen and codeine may provide relief—but they can also cause serious side effects. When you have a headache or a pulled muscle, your first concern is relieving your pain. While common painkillers such as acetaminophen or codeine may stop your aches and pains, they can also cause severe side effects. Find out what they are and how you can avoid them.

You'd be surprised by the cause of your pain. When an individual has neck pain, they go to their primary care physician, orthopedist or neurologist. An x-ray or MRI is taken. Arthritis might be found. A herniated disc, stenosis, degenerative disc disease are the other common findings. These findings become the basis of the diagnosis which all future treatments are based on.

Suffering from fibromyalgia? Learn more about the risks of depression and what you can do to protect yourself from this mood disorder. About 30 to 40 percent of people who have fibromyalgia also suffer from depression, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). The link between the two conditions is not clear, and health professionals believe that depression in fibromyalgia is often poorly treated.

Seventy percent of the population have herniated discs and have no pain. This is fact that should shock those of you who are being told that the herniated disc that was found on your MRI is the cause of your back pain. Do not get lulled into the idea that because something showed up on your MRI that this means that the abnormal finding is automatically the cause of your pain.

Find out what causes inguinal hernias—the most common type of hernia—and how to prevent them. An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia, and it can affect adults or children. It's a protrusion of abdominal tissue or a part of the small intestine through a weakened part of the lower abdominal muscles. There are two types of inguinal hernias--indirect and direct.

Taking narcotic pain killers, epidural nerve blocks or cortisone shots do nothing to resolve the cause of pain. It is a feudal attempt to mask pain. Taking narcotic pain killers, epidural nerve blocks or cortisone shots do nothing to resolve the cause of pain. It is a feudal attempt to mask pain. I have proven that the cause of pain in most cases is muscle weakness like a strain or muscle imbalance.

Learn what causes an inguinal hernia and the best treatment options for this common health problem. Every year between 600,000 and 700,000 inguinal hernia surgeries take place in the United States. Inguinal hernias are the most common types of hernia, and they can afflict anyone--from infants to seniors. However, men are more likely to get them than women, and African-Americans get inguinal hernias three times more than caucasians.

Lupus can cause neuropathy, also known as nerve damage. Learn about the symptoms, prevention and coping strategies you can use. Everyone suffers from the occasional tingling or numbness in their hands or feet, usually when limbs "fall asleep." But, when you're living with lupus, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet may not be minor, passing symptoms. They can signal a condition called peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage.

Here, an overview of the causes of lupus, an autoimmune condition characterized by pain, fatigue, photosensitivity and skin rashes. About 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of cases. It's an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack normal tissue and organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs and skin.

Here, lifestyle and workplace strategies that prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. If your work involves repetitive motions, such as assembling products or typing at a keyboard, you're more at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It's a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist that results in symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers.

Chronic pain and sex are not good bedfellows. Learn ways to reduce the impact that pain can have on your sex life and relationship. When you're living with chronic pain, it can put your sex life on pause. In some cases chronic pain is caused by a health problem such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or lupus, or, it may be caused by sex itself such as vaginal pain during intercourse. Also, pain medications can zap your sexual desire and make "not tonight honey" a standard refrain in your relationship.

Other illnesses have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia, which can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment. Learn how to tell the difference. Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to diagnose, even though it affects about 10 million Americans. The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) describes it as a complex chronic pain disorder. Unfortunately, there are currently no clinical tests to diagnose the condition and the NFA reports that it may take as long as five years for a patient to get a formal diagnosis.

For 30 million osteoarthritis sufferers worldwide, pain, joint stiffness and potential loss of mobility can negatively affect their quality of life. However, scientists have recently improved a widely used treatment for knee osteoarthritis, which may help many people. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in joints to wear down over time. Unfortunately, this cartilage cannot repair itself. When left untreated treated, the damage increases the load, or burden, on the remaining cartilage, raising patients' risk of developing degenerative arthritis.

When is pain a sign that something might be seriously wrong? Here, four pains you should never shrug off. Minor aches and pains are part of life for most of us-a tension headache here, an upset stomach there. But when is pain a signal that something might really be wrong? And how do you tell the difference between a mere annoyance and a warning sign? Below, four pains not to ignore: Ankle pain.

Research finds that redheads are less sensitive to some pain relievers, such as anesthesia used in dental procedures. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that people with naturally red hair, or a gene called the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene were much more likely to fear dental pain. They were also more likely to experience dental-care related anxiety and fear compared to people without red hair or the gene.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common, but very treatable, condition. This article reveals the causes, tests and treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Wondering what that piercing pain, tingling in your fingers, numbness and weakness is? It's most likely caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that occurs when the median nerve in your forearm gets squeezed or compressed at the wrist. Tests can rule out other conditions.

Pain and fatigue are symptoms commonly associated with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. These strategies can reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life. Millions of Americans battle chronic diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Two common symptoms of these conditions are pain and fatigue --both take a massive toll on your life. They disrupt your sleep, interfere with daily activities, and force you to take time off from work.

Scientists discover that concussions can damage brain tissue and impair brain function. Find out more about these common injuries, prevention and treatment. Every year about one million people are rushed to the emergency room with head injuries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Head injuries are also referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The most common TBIs are concussions, which are the most minor as well.

A primer on ligament injury—the causes, symptoms, treatment and recovery. It doesn't take a basketball or football collision to cause a ligament injury of the knee- although you may prefer to tell such a tale. Simply stretching, stumbling or twisting in an odd way may be all it takes to do the damage. Medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injuries are the most common ligament injuries, and they can also result from overuse.

Certain foods can improve fibromyalgia symptoms, while some can make them worse. Learn how to alter your diet to improve your symptoms. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that causes symptoms such as chronic muscle and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration and even depression. Currently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, and because of the diversity of the symptoms caused by the condition, treatment approaches vary considerably.

Three of the most common lupus symptoms are skin rashes, joint pain and stiffness and muscle pain. Learn about effective ways to cope with them. Nearly 90 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience joint pain, joint stiffness and muscle pain; skin rashes affect up to 75 percent. Try these tips to cope with these common lupus symptoms. JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS Joint pain and stiffness are among the earliest lupus symptoms, and can target any joint in the body, but usually the hands, wrist and feet at the onset of disease.

Sky-high stilettos may be fashionable, but podiatrists advocate more down-to-earth footwear. For many women, high heels are the ultimate fashion statement. After all, Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw wore her Jimmy Choo stilettos with everything (even shorts!) while running down New York City's busy streets. What's more, high heels make our legs look longer and sleeker, so is it any surprise that most women own at least a pair or two? But as stylish as high heels may be, according to experts, they also come with a host of potential drawbacks.

Lupus affects more women than men, but it also worsens two of the most common health problems women have — heart disease and osteoporosis. Lupus affects about 1.5 million Americans and nine times more women than men. There are several forms of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus. This autoimmune condition has serious side effects ranging from joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, anemia and chronic fatigue.

Find out if an ice pack or heat therapy is better to treat sports injuries. While it's good news that more people are answering the call to increase physical activity, it's bad news that many are getting injured. Sports injuries--such as muscle cramps, a joint injury, or lower back injury--can quickly derail your fitness routine or training program.

How to relieve and treat a pinched nerve. At some point in most of our lives, we've experienced a pinched nerve. An everyday example is when your foot "falls asleep." Although this health condition is quite common, few of us know the right way to relieve or treat it. Here's a quick primer. What is a Pinched Nerve? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a pinched nerve is damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves from compression, constriction or stretching.

Common sense advice on how to avoid common gym injuries and prevent chronic pain in the future. Every year thousands of gym-goers fall victim to common injuries that could be avoided with knowledge and preparation. These gym injuries throw your fitness routine off track, so you end up losing a lot of the benefits you've gained. But more importantly, some of them can lead to chronic pain down the road, and possibly, surgery.

Sports hernia, an increasingly common type of sports injury, can cause chronic pain and loss of function. Learn about the causes, symptoms and treatment of a sports hernia. Since Tom Brady and other high-profile athletes have been sidelined with a sports hernia, there's been greater awareness of this sports injury. Every year there are about 35 to 40 million injury-related emergency room visits--approximately 10 percent are sports related, reports American Sports Data.

Orthopedic and spinal surgeon Dr. Sean McCance answers a reader's question about herniated discs. Q: I've recently developed a herniated disc. What are the best treatment options for this condition? A: The treatment of a herniated disc depends on the initial symptoms and the location. Herniated discs that appear primarily in the lower back are referred to as lumbar herniations; those that appear in the neck are called cervical herniations.

A look at pregnancy and neonatal lupus. Get information and tips on how to have a healthier pregnancy. If you have lupus, you may be worried about how it will affect your baby and whether your baby will develop neonatal lupus erythematosus, commonly referred to as neonatal lupus. This rare condition affects about one to three percent of infants born to women who have systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Research suggests that vitamin D may play a role in fibromyalgia pain and other chronic pain conditions. It's been common knowledge for quite some time that vitamin D helps to build strong bones. But, research in recent years has shown that low levels of vitamin D is associated with fibromyalgia pain, musculoskeletal and bone pain, and other chronic pain conditions.

Is night pain ruining your after-work activities and sleep? Here, ten ways to relieve it. Night pain affects about one in three adults. It's the number one cause of disturbed sleep and puts a real damper on your after-work activities. Fortunately, there are several ways to suppress night pain, which will help you get those 40 winks you desperately need.

Neck pain can be fleeting, but accompanying symptoms and duration may be signs that it’s time to call a doctor. Neck pain is the third most common type of pain for Americans, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics (NIHS). About two-thirds of the population will experience neck pain in their lifetime. Its side effects can be mild or devastating, and interfere with normal daily functioning such as sitting, turning and sleeping.

Natural and alternative treatments for fibromyalgia can be effective. If you’re suffering from memory problems, poor concentration, and have widespread pain—in your back, shoulders or neck—you could be suffering from fibromyalgia, which may be relieved by natural and alternative treatment. However, the first step to treating this condition is knowing that you have it, which may be a challenge.

Find out if you could be a candidate for hip replacement surgery, and learn more about the procedure. Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery can be beneficial to those with severe hip pain, helping to relieve symptoms and provide greater range of movement. However, the procedure isn't without its risks. Prospective patients should talk to their doctors and do their own research before deciding to proceed.

When it comes to migraines, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. Get the real story on the disease's biggest misconceptions. Millions of Americans are affected by migraines, but according to experts, the disease is often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or simply misunderstood. Read on as we debunk the disorder's biggest myths. Myth: A migraine is just a severe headache. In reality, headaches are just one symptom of migraine disease.

Migraine pain can be excruciating, but with the right treatment, the condition can be controlled. Although it affects approximately 36 million Americans a year, migraine is often mischaracterized. More than simply a bad headache, migraine is a disease, and the painful headaches associated with it are one of the condition's telltale symptoms. These headaches may be preceded or accompanied by flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in the arms or legs, as well as nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light.

Although no specific test can definitively confirm the condition's presence, certain criteria can help physicians make a proper diagnosis. Since there's no specific test that can confirm whether a person has fibromyalgia, physicians often must perform a variety of tests in order to rule out hypothyroidism and multiple sclerosis, among other conditions. The following are the top criteria that health-care professionals consider when making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Although back pain is common, it doesn't have to be inevitable. Follow these easy tips to reduce your risk. If you've ever had a backache, you know how bad the pain can get. It may be severe enough to keep you from going about your daily activities. Perhaps it makes you feel much older than you really are or causes you to groan when you sit or stand. Understanding Back Pain Back pain is a very common injury when dealing with athletes, says Erin K.

Millions of Americans are affected by migraines. Here, a look at this common neurological disease, from symptoms to treatment. At some point in their lives, 12 to 28 percent of people will be experience migraines, according to the European Journal of Neurology. What's more, in any given year, this common neurological disease will affect 6 to 15 percent of adult men, 14 to 35 percent of adult women, and approximately 4 to 5 percent of children under 12.

Make life easier despite your arthritis. Thanks to many products on the market, living with arthritis isn't as limiting as it used to be. These devices make daily tasks easier-from standing to cooking, bathing, dressing, walking and driving. We've rounded up some of the best: KITCHEN HELPERS Open-It Universal Opener: This is must-have tool for opening bags, cans, boxes, or containers.

Follow these steps to help find relief. We often think of heartburn as a food-induced pain resulting from eating too much too quickly, or as something we experience when we’re stressed. Typically this is the case. But the truth is that heartburn can be caused by an unlikely source: medication.

Read on determine when your condition requires medical attention. Studies show that 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and that 25 million experience it on a daily basis. Heartburn, a burning pain behind the breastbone that radiates upward, is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Find out why acupuncture is growing in popularity with arthritis sufferers. Over 39 percent of Americans use some form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics. Most people turn to these treatments for musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain — and joint pain, which is a common symptom of arthritis.

If you’re one of the 1.3 million Americans living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that flares are a part of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, and fatigue. Women are three times as likely as men to suffer from the disease. Even though RA is a long-term condition, short-term bouts, or flares, of acute pain with inflammation and swelling can occur.

You love your pet. So why would you feet it food that may be unfit for human consumption? Your pet as been loyally by your side for years. You take the time to walk, feed, and bathe your dog. You pamper your cat with gourmet food and fun toys. You put real time and energy into caring for and loving your pet. So, how would you feel if you were feeding your cat or dog hair and bone from decomposing animal carcasses? Would you be glad to hear your cat is ingesting human pain killers? Food safety is as important to the health of your pet as it is for you and your family.

You love your pet. So why would you feet it food that may be unfit for human consumption? Your pet has been loyally by your side for years. You take the time to walk, feed, and bathe your dog. You pamper your cat with gourmet food and fun toys. You put real time and energy into caring for and loving your pet. So, how would you feel if you were feeding your cat or dog hair and bone from decomposing animal carcasses? Would you be glad to hear your cat is ingesting human pain killers?   Food safety is as important to the health of your pet as it is for you and your family.

When most people have a fever or headache, they turn to aspirin or some other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) to relieve their pain. When most people have a fever or headache, they turn to aspirin or some other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) to relieve their pain. But if you are in the one percent of the population that has an aspirin allergy, you know that such medication may make you worse, instead of better.

Some simple dietary changes can help ward off heartburn symptoms. Cooking in the comfort of your own kitchen should be a painless process: you make and eat what you want. Those who suffer from heartburn need not be sidelined by symptoms—so long as they know which foods are safe. Abiding by a few standard rules limits the chance you will experience heartburn when reaching for a recipe.

Can changing how you eat help ease arthritis symptoms? The jury is out. If you suffer from arthritis, you are in good company. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about one out of every five Americans today have some form of this condition, which causes inflammation of the joints and can make it painful to complete your activities, depending on the severity and type of your symptoms.

If your child is one of the many who suffers from juvenile arthritis today, did you know that helping him or to stay active can be an important part of managing this condition? Arthritis among children can take many forms but the most common type is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Young patients diagnosed with this, or with the host of other types of arthritis that exist, often experience swelling, tenderness and pain in one or more joints, making it difficult to move, especially in the mornings.

It may sound more like a fantasy than a reality, but some believe that this water can help ease arthritic pain. Imagine reaching into your fridge for a bottle of water that can reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain caused by your arthritis. It may sound more like a fantasy than a reality, but these are the claims being made about Deeside mineral water. This health-boosting water flows from Pannanich Wells in the hills of Scotland near Balmoral castle, the Scottish home to the British monarchy.

These conditions often have the same symptoms of heart attacks. Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen limbs and ankles, dizziness—when presented in certain combinations, the symptoms of heart disease can be mistaken for other illnesses. Worse still, because women’s symptoms are slightly different than men’s (sometimes the disease can manifest itself in the fairer sex through discomfort in the neck or shoulder and nausea or vomiting), they stand a greater chance of having their heart disease initially misdiagnosed.

When rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis targets your knees even routine activities such as walking, bending, or sitting can be challenging. These conditions make joints stiff and painful, and limit your mobility. They also weaken and tighten your muscles. Stretching can bring relief. According to the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MAARTC), exercise keeps joints flexible, strengthens muscles, and improves overall fitness and your ability to do daily activities. Stretches also help alleviate joint inflammation during flare-ups.

The healing power of water is no secret. From the hot springs in ancient Greece to the cleansing power of the Ganges in India, water is widely recognized for its therapeutic properties. Many people with arthritis are discovering it’s true. Health professionals are increasingly recommending hydrotherapy to treat pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Just six weeks of water therapy improves mobility and function in people with osteoarthritis.

Looking to ditch the prescription meds and go natural? Learn more about some methods, endorsed by the National Pain Foundation. If analgesic tablets or prescription painkillers aren't helping you manage your discomfort, it may be time to explore a more natural type of pain relief. There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine (used in addition to traditional Western therapies) or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies), and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as major as cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis it is the most common cause of disability, affecting nearly 50 percent of all Americans at some point in their lives. Each year, millions of workers skip work or leisure activities to cope with the debilitating symptoms such as chronic pain, swelling and stiffness. With concerns about the arthritis epidemic in the future, health professionals want more people to be aware of ways to reduce the risk - read on to learn about a few. Quit smoking. There's little you can do about most risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) such as your sex (women are more likely to get it), age, or family history.

Follow these tips to stay heartburn-free while on the move. For those who suffer from heartburn, an important part of managing the pain is maintaining a healthy weight. A great way to achieve this is through regular exercise Every day, researchers uncover new ways that fitness can benefit people of all ages. In...

These good eats get the thumbs-up for heartburn sufferers. When heartburn sufferers talk about food, they usually talk about what they can't eat, not about what they can eat. That's because the worst trigger foods-fats, spices, citrus-can lead to painful symptoms. When determining foods that won't aggravate your symptoms, the first thing to do is to assess their ingredients.

See how this disorder that affects 6 million Americans can be a burden to your heart. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 6 million Americans have been diagnosed with panic disorder, a condition in which one is frequently besieged by an inexplicable, intense bout of fear that manifests itself through a range of physical ailments and lasts anywhere from 15 seconds to an hour.

If you have arthritis, knowing about the common surgeries is crucial. For some arthritis patients-not all-surgery may become necessary. It can be critical in the early stages of the disease to prevent or delay joint damage and improve movement. In the later stages it can mean the difference between living a full, active life with reduced pain, swelling stiffness and further joint deterioration.

Here are three medical advances you should know about. By 2030 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that over 67 million Americans will suffer from arthritis. With so many people currently suffering from arthritis and millions more who will be affected in the future, treatment innovation and progress is critical.

Don't let arthritis stop your active lifestyle. For some people, a diagnosis of arthritis can seem like a life sentence of pain, inactivity, and frustration, but this doesn't have to be the case. And because there's currently no cure for arthritis, it's very important that you find ways to not just survive, but thrive.

Asking these questions can give you the vital information you need. When exercise, physical therapy and drugs aren't enough in treating your rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be necessary. It can help to restore or improve function, reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Arthritis surgery can take place at various stages in the disease.

Find out how the treatment for your arthritis can be all natural. When medications don't relieve arthritis symptoms, or drug side effects become overwhelming, many people turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Health Statistics over 38 per cent of Americans use some form of CAM, which includes herbal supplements.

Everyone makes mistakes. Avoid these common blunders for better overall health. Over the course of a lifetime, bad habits and misapprehensions about health matters are unfortunately easy to accumulate. Given the fact that knowledge is power, educate yourself on the following five mistakes you can make concerning your health: Neglecting to floss.

Be in the know when it comes to arthritis medication. Whether you suffer with acute or chronic pain, you need relief. However, as the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) states in their booklet Questions & Answers about Arthritis Pain, the type of pain differs from person to person, and so do the causes.

Ear infections are very common in children. Here, a guide to their symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Ear infections are common, especially in children. In fact, about 75 percent of all children will probably have an infection before they turn three, according to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Older children will probably complain of ear pain and small children who cannot speak well are likely to pull or rub their ear.

Find out the real reasons why guys don't visit their physicians--and why they should. Aches and pains? "Just suck it up." Preventative care? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." When it comes to visiting the doctor, men seem to have an arsenal of excuses. According to experts, this is one of the reasons men generally live sicker and die younger than their female counterparts.

Plagued by painful headaches? Find out how to pinpoint their source so you can prevent and treat them. Headaches often strike when you least expect them--and they can range in severity from dull throbs and intense aches to debilitating pain. In fact, they land someone in the emergency room every 10 seconds, according to the American Headache Society. As if that weren't frustrating enough, oftentimes the direct cause of a headache is unknown.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, and the disorder has no known cause. Here, a look at IBS, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine not being able to make dinner plans with your friends or not eating your favorite foods for fear that it will send you running for the bathroom. For people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these scenarios may sound all too familiar.

Hip pain is an increasingly common phenomenon that tends to occur with age. Find out what causes hip pain and what you can do about it. It's often said that aging tends to go hand-in-hand with a long list of ailments, and unfortunately, many people can add hip pain to that list. Hip pain can be extremely debilitating and uncomfortable, and it can occur for numerous reasons. The term "hip pain" generally refers to any pain in or around the hip joint.

This painful arthritic condition affects approximately eight out of every 1,000 Americans. Learn about symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options. For the 2.1 million Americans who experience gout attacks each year, the symptoms are all too familiar: a sudden occurrence of hot, swollen, and tender joints (often in the big toe or ankle) accompanied by excruciating pain. Without treatment, symptoms often subside in about a week, but over time, attacks can become more frequent and severe, potentially causing permanent joint damage.

Millions of Americans are living with exercise-induced asthma. Here, a guide to the condition, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine jogging around the block and, a few minutes afterward, being struck with a host of scary symptoms--wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath. The next thing you know, you're feeling chest tightness, pain, and extreme fatigue. These are just some of the signs of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans.

When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment. Here, we uncover the biggest myths about the disease. Do you think that osteoporosis affects only women and older people? Do you believe you won't experience bone loss if you consume calcium every day? When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment.

Osteoporosis may weaken your bones, but it doesn't have to weaken your resolve to live a healthy and productive life. In the United States alone, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have osteoporosis—a disease that causes deterioration of bone tissue and can lead to bone fragility as well as an increased risk of fractures. It's considered a "silent disease," because sufferers can remain symptom-free for many years, often until the event of a fracture or major break.

Millions of people have difficulty digesting milk and other dairy products. Find out how to identify and diagnose lactose intolerance. If you've ever eaten too much cheese or polished off a pint of ice cream in one sitting, you probably felt sick to your stomach. Most likely, the cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain you felt were caused by your body's inability to break down lactose, which is found in most dairy products.

Learn more about what causes hip fractures and how you can prevent them from affecting you or a loved one. Anyone, at any age, can break a hip, although the injury is far more prevalent among those who are 65 and older. In fact, 95 percent of hip injuries occur in people who are over 65. Hip fractures are hard to ignore, as they usually cause severe pain in the hip and/or groin area.

Working with arthritis can be challenging, but these tips can help make it easier. Approximately 20 percent of Americans are living with some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And more than half of those affected are under the age of 65. This means that there are millions of arthritis sufferers working either full- or part-time in the United States.

Men, women, and children can all develop a bladder infection. Here, a look at the condition, from symptoms to treatments. Uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone. A frequent urge to urinate. A burning feeling in the bladder or urethra. If you've had a urinary tract infection (UTI) before, you're all too familiar with these painful symptoms. The good news is that most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics-and drinking cranberry juice may even help prevent them in the first place.

As common as the condition is, many women insist on keeping quiet about it. Here, we explore the reasons why. Thousands of women in the United States experience bladder leakage--whether it means tiny drops when they sneeze, a small dribble when they hear running water, or a noticeable wet spot after certain forms of exercise. Yet as common as this condition is, many women keep quiet about their symptoms, ashamed to discuss it with their doctor, their friends, and even their spouse.

Feelings of depression are significantly more common in people with chronic back pain. Find out more about how to manage your pain and your emotions. Chronic pain and depression are two of the most common health problems Americans face. What's more, studies have found that these two conditions are often linked, afflicting the same sufferers. Close to 6 million American adults report suffering from back pain, and studies have shown that depression is four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in those without.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

From chronic back pain to poor self-esteem, large breasts can present a host of health problems. Find out whether surgery could ease your discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, large breasts aren't always what they're cracked up to be. For many women, overly large, pendulous breasts can result in chronic neck and back pain, poor posture, breathing problems, rashes, and deep skin grooves resulting from bra strap pressure.

Many people don't know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. Find out if you're at risk, and learn how to prevent it. It's slips and falls, not sticks and stones, that may break the bones of people with osteoporosis. According to the American College of Rheumatology, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have the disease, which weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.

Parkinson's disease affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Here, a guide for patients and their loved ones. If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you probably have many questions. While the disease affects each person differently, this overview will help you better understand the symptoms and treatments. Symptoms and Risk Factors Parkinson's is a disease that stops nerves from working properly in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement.

Although arthritis can be debilitating, there are a variety of treatment options to help keep symptoms in check. Here, a look at the disease by the numbers. Arthritis is a chronic disease that can cause pain, swelling, and loss of movement in the joints. The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation and actually refers to more than 100 different diseases. In its most severe form, it can have a major impact on one's ability to perform daily activities such as walk, drive, type, or unload groceries.

After getting no answers from doctors about her severe pain, numbness, and tingling, Karen Calvert finally discovered the cause of her problems: multiple sclerosis. Learn about her courageous journey. Karen Calvert, a retired educator, wife, and mother of two in Columbia, South Carolina, discusses her frustrating and agonizing journey with multiple sclerosisand explains how family, friends, and faith have kept her going. My life was very full and active.

What's under that bow? Find out if the gifts you're giving this year are naughty or nice. When shopping for children's toys this holiday season, you may have to pay attention to more than just wish lists and price tags. Dangerous levels of lead in paint and toys that contain toxic chemicals have forced Mattel, Fisher-Price, Disney, and other companies to recall some of their most popular children's products.

Headaches are among the most common pain symptoms in the world. Learn about the different types of headaches and what causes them. At one time or another, nearly everyone has had a headache. In fact, 70 percent of people have had at least one in the past year. What's more, roughly 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches, a condition that costs U.S. companies billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.

Learn about the most common forms of arthritis, from causes and symptoms to treatment. More than 46 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis—a disease that affects 50 percent of adults over 65 and is the leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are several ways to stay active without risking your joint health. It's an ongoing debate: Does running lead to arthritis? Some health professionals say the continual pounding on knee and ankle joints leads to wear and tear, and eventually arthritis. Others claim that the same wear actually helps keep joints and tissues healthy.

Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. For many of us, the word "workout" conjures images of profuse sweat, intense pain, and utter confusion. The good news: You don't have to be a natural exercise enthusiast to get in shape. Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise.