When your muscle suddenly becomes hard and tight or you feel a quick sharp pain in the calf, a muscle cramp has struck. It can happen while in motion when out for a run or even during a night’s sleep. This type of involuntary contraction is a spasm we would rather forgo. Without warning, the onset of a “Charley horse” (cramp that occurs in the calf area), is marked by temporary pain that we want instant relief from. Cramps are never fun to endure, and one just has to breathe through it, stretch, and massage out the area until alleviation kicks in.
There are a number of triggers that can cause muscle cramps. In order to avoid future spasms, knowing the causes becomes important. A cramp can be the result of poor blood circulation. Exercise related stress can bring on a cramp. Being dehydrated or deficient in magnesium and/or potassium, can be causes. Hot temperature is also a culprit, especially when being active. Not stretching enough can also lead to cramping. There are also medications that can lead to cramping. These include diuretics, certain Alzheimer’s medications, statin medications for cholesterol, as well as some osteoporosis and high blood pressure medications. Nerve compression can also cause a pinch that produces a cramp. Muscle mass lessens with age so what muscle is working may be more stressed than normal and overworked much more easily which can cause cramping. Muscle cramps are common during pregnancy as the body is undergoing a lot of changes. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, liver, or thyroid disorder can also heighten the risks of cramping.
Prevention includes staying hydrated, properly stretching, and making sure to eat healthy foods with nutrients. These include vitamins, minerals, potassium, and calcium. Potassium is found in many choices including vegetables, bananas, berries, potatoes, melon, citrus, meat, fish, and milk. Caffeine found in coffee, soda, and other beverages does affect fluid hydration in the body so be sure to replenish with water. Exercise and activity that lasts over 60 minutes can lead to glycogen depletion which can lead to fatigue which can lead to cramps.
Although only a temporary sensation and typically harmless, an unexpected bout of pain never feels good. It is important to seek a doctor’s help if these cramps are reoccurring or persistent. A nutrient imbalance may not be readily noticeable. Finding the cause can help avoid future incidences. Muscle cramps happen to almost everyone, few and far in between, but when they strike, they aren’t forgotten. Less is more when it comes to “Charley horses”.
Aspirin is a salicylate (derived from a plant) and is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The earliest uses of this drug date back to the Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. He used a powder extracted from willow’s bark. It works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling. Today you can walk into almost any store and purchase this product. Almost anyone and everyone has used it, but when it comes to kids, it is important to consult your doctor before treating a child younger than 12 years. Aspirin is a home remedy or doctor prescribed treatment for so many different purposes. It’s that easy remedy we turn to first at the sight of pain or discomfort. Aspirin is the fixer upper solution to many conditions. The most common uses include trying to reduce a fever, making a headache go away, reducing pain and swelling, and to helping alleviate symptoms of a cold. Aspirin is also a blood thinner. Often a doctor will prescribe its use to help prevent blood clots. This is especially true prior to surgery, when a doctor might prescribe a low dose of aspirin to help ward off blood clots in the process. This can also help with the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and help reduce chest pain. A doctor might recommend the daily use of aspirin as a preventative method.
It is used to aid muscle and tooth aches. When taking at your own will, always read and follow the directions. The dosage is dependent upon the condition, but it is important to not exceed amounts outside of the recommended directions within a 24-hour period. Everyone’s body responds differently to aspirin, but some of the less serious side effects include heartburn and an upset stomach. More serious side effects include kidney problems, vomiting, bruising, bleeding, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or feeling constantly tired. It is always important to consult a doctor at the first indication of any of these adverse effects. It is important to avoid aspirin if the person has a bleeding disorder, particularly stomach or intestinal bleeding. Aspirin poisoning is one of the common forms of accidental poisoning in children. Inappropriate dosages for children and elderly cause this poisoning too. The first signs of poisoning include ringing in the ears, rapid breathing, and dehydration.
Aspirin is a drug, and it is always important to address any medical attention that goes beyond the scope of self-care with a doctor. Aspirin seems to fix any symptom, but only temporarily. Listen to the body and when over the counter isn’t effective, a doctor should be advised. Pain is not meant to last, but don’t keep masking. Take aspirin as needed in the advised amount and it may just fix what needed a little attention.
The most dangerous and potent type of opioid is fentanyl. It is a type of pain reliever that is actually 50 more stronger than heroin and 100 times more intense than morphine. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in accidental overdose rates and death. It is a prescription drug that is known by the names Submilmaze, Actiq, and Duregesic. These can come in the form of a patch, shot, or sometimes as a throat lozenge. On the streets, in an illegal manner, it can be sold as a powder or pill in synthetic form. It is sometimes called Goodfellas, Apache, Poison, China Girl, and Great Bear. Users like fentanyl because of the pain relief it provides in addition to feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
Medically, fentanyl is used for pain related reasons. Fentanyl is used for pain management for cancer patients with constant pain, for pain management for those who can tolerate opioids, for people who need 24/7 pain care, and as an anesthesia for heart surgery patients. Most commonly it is provided as a patch that releases fentanyl into the bloodstream for up to 72 hours.
The problem is that fentanyl has now been widely abused. It has been produced more and more illegally so that it can be sold and used via snorting, injection, or by smoking it. It is stronger than heroin, making it a very serious and addictive drug. Sometimes it is even mixed with heroin or cocaine. The risk for overdose is extremely high. People become quickly addicted not just because they’re relieved of pain but also because of the difficulty feeling withdrawl post use.
Withdrawal can have a multitude of symptoms. Some of these include hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, chills, goosebumps, dilated pupils, and feeling pain again. Tolerance also quickly increases with fentanyl use, making overdosing a constant risk. Signs of an overdose could be slow heartbeat, clammy/cold skin, trouble walking/talking, feeling faint/confused/dizzy, and unresponsiveness. An overdose is a medical emergency because the person can experience hypoxia. This means their brain is not getting enough oxygen. Naloxone is used to treat an overdose.
Treatment for addiction to fentanyl is comparable to that used for other opioids. It can range from and include some or all of the following: cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management such as methadone, inpatient care, group therapy, and other motivating tools to continue the deterrence and abstinence from using fentanyl. It only takes one time, one overdose gone too far, one highly potent batch, to possibly die from this drug. There are pros and cons to many pharmaceutical drugs, but in any case, abuse and misuse are dangerous and inevitable when there’s an entire dark side of the drug industry.
Coughing. Wheezing. Tight chest. Shortness of breath. These are the common symptoms of the air restriction condition called asthma. When the bronchial tubes become inflamed, the airway tightens and can fill with mucus. People experience different symptoms at different times and can go a long period without “attacks”. Some people only have asthma during exercise, others only when they have a cold, and others when their allergies are heightened. Triggers can include dust mites, cigarette smoke, molds, pollen, animal dander, and pollen. Asthma is common in people who have low levels of vitamins C, E, and omega 3 fatty acids. Extreme emotional states can also bring upon asthma.
Asthma attacks vary in severity. During a mild attack, the airway will open up and alleviate normally within a few minutes or up to an hour. A serious attack may require immediate emergency medical attention. An attack becomes especially dangerous when the lips start to turn blue and speech is difficult. Prevention of an attack is key as one starts to learn their body’s warning signs. Early warning signs include feeling short of breath, losing your breath quickly, coughing bouts (usually at night), mood changes, feeling more tired than normal, allergy symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing, or when a peak flow meter reads low lung function (less than 50%).
Asthma affects up to 12% of children which makes it the leading chronic illness for young people. This number seems to be on the rise (the causes are unknown).
There are treatments for short and long-term relief. Most people with asthma can use an inhaler which serves as an anti-inflammatory. This is a type of steroid to reduce swelling and the build-up of mucus. Bronchodilators can help relax the muscles around the airway. Most people take these in the inhaler right before exercise. This can help reduce the likelihood of exercise-induced asthma. However, this is not to be used daily. Some people have difficulty using inhalers, such as children. For these people an asthma nebulizer can be used. This is a machine with a mouthpiece or that has a mask which can help the medicine be better inhaled.
The exact cause of asthma is unknown. The exact cure for asthma is also unknown. Learning what triggers an attack can be a learning process for someone. However, asthma should not deter someone from being physically active. Exercise indoors if air quality is poor. Always bring your inhaler. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Uncontrolled crying can impede breathing. Be sure to stop activity when you feel short of breath abnormally (not just from increasing your heart rate). Ask your doctor to help test you to discover what sets off your airways obstruction. When it comes to your health, inhale positivity and exhale negativity. Don’t let any obstruction get in the way of your progress.