Multiple sclerosis refers to disabling disease of the central nervous system, where the body s immune system eats away the protective layer sheathing the nerve fibres and disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of your body. 

Often, multiple sclerosis is associated with impaired cognitive functioning. Cognitive changes have direct functional consequences on your quality of life, ranging from occupational activities to professional career and personal life. In addition to it, a complex interplay between cognitive impairment and mental disorders like anxiety and depression, which negatively affect the normal course of life.

Rehabilitation Psychology works through various techniques and aims to ease the impact of cognitive changes on everyday life rather than simply defining their severity and nature.

Rehabilitation Psychology Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

The goal of Psychological Rehabilitation programs is to improve and preserve mental and physical abilities, as well as help patients adapt to changes in functioning. 

A team of specialists   consisting of a psychologist, physician, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist   works together in order to offer you well-rounded support and care. These specialists have years of experience and expertise in the management of symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The rehabilitation program helps you address the following problems related to multiple sclerosis  

Spasticity

Fatigue

Sleep disorders

Chronic pain

Walking difficulties

Bladder and bowel issues

Changes in movement

Difficulty swallowing food

Mood disorders, like depression

Speech problems

Cognitive changes

Anxiety and uncertainty about the disorder

How Rehabilitation Programs Can be Helpful?

Since multiple sclerosis affects each person differently, Rehabilitation Psychology provides tailor-made treatment to patients.

The team of specialists work closely with the patients to evaluate their health needs, track progress, address pain, and teach them strategies essential to cope with the chronic disease.

Occupational therapy is directed toward patients with mobility problems. The therapy helps you with daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking, and learning ways to manage personal hygiene. 

Rehabilitation strategies for speech-language problems help maximize your abilities to cope with cognitive functions.

Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition and can be challenging as it progresses. Many people require constant support, care and motivation to get through the tough phase. Rehabilitation Psychology is just the way to combat the psychological effects of multiple sclerosis. You should communicate your concerns to a doctor, and learn all you can about the disease. 



 Rehabilitation Psychology In Management Of Multiple Sclerosis!

Nerve pain or peripheral neuropathy, as it is medically known, is characterized by pain, numbness and weakness that arise out of nerve damage. This pain is usually restricted to the feet and the hands.

What are the common causes?

Diabetes is the most common cause for this condition. However, other causes, such as injuries, infections and prolonged exposure to certain toxins can also trigger nerve pain.

How can you control nerve pain?

Nerve pain can be managed and taken care of at home taking into consideration the points that have been mentioned below:

Topical Painkillers: Certain over the counter ointments and creams can help relieve nerve pain. These medications act as local anesthetics; that is they numb the area of the pain. Capsaicin, a derivative of chili peppers, is one of the major ingredients used in these medicines. Others use botanical oils as the major ingredients.

Painkillers: There are painkillers available OTC which can curb nerve pain. However, painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen do not really work well for severe pain of the nerves.

Supplements: The lack of Vitamin B12 is considered to be a very important cause, and at times, a catalyst for nerve pain. In a case such as this, Vitamin B12 supplements or injections might be administered. Although more research needs to go into this, but certain supplements, especially gamma-linolenic and alpha-lipoic acid can help soothe nerve pain caused by diabetes.

Acupuncture: This time-honored Chinese approach is a proven alleviator of nerve pain. Acupuncture releases chemicals which numb the pain, or prevent the pain signals from travelling to the brain.

Physical Therapy and Massages: Physical Therapy can especially heal and strengthen weak muscles that can stem from acute nerve damage and pain. Though more evidence is needed, according to a few sufferers of this condition, massages can be helpful with the tremendously painful muscle spasms that can so often result from nerve pain.

Relaxation Techniques: In combination with the abovementioned approaches, relaxation techniques can go a long way in relieving debilitating neural pain. Besides being helpful with dealing and reducing a few stress phases of life which can cause nerve pain, these techniques might actually root out the actual pain itself.

Lifestyle Modifications: This one s always a winner! Eating a well-balanced diet that guarantees all nutrients in uniform amounts can never go wrong. Regular exercises for about 30-45 minutes can remedy different types of pain; nerve pain being one of them. Try and limit alcohol intake (a peg once a week won t harm one, but binge drinking can play the ultimate spoilsport and make all health plans go topsy-turvy!). Abstain from smoking or chewing tobacco as this is usually the primary contributor towards any medical condition or disorder.

How To Control Nerve Pain?

Injuries are very common, especially head injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in adults. As per surveys conducted, 1.7 million people suffer from head injuries every year and this estimation is increasing day by day.

There are several types of head injuries from mild as a cut, bruise, bump, contusion to severe ones caused due to a concussion, fractured skull bone, deep cut, internal bleeding, brain damage, etc.

A head injury is a comprehensive term which consists of an array of injuries that damage the skull, scalp, brain, and blood vessels and tissues in the head. It is generally referred to as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and brain injury, depending upon the type and extent of trauma.

Causes of Head Injury-

A head injury can occur due to many reasons. Some common causes of these head injuries are:

Vehicle accidents

Domestic violence

Street fights

Fall from height

Child abuse

Subdural hematomas

Brain hemorrhages

Symptoms of Head Injury-

A head injury is followed by various symptoms depending upon the intensity of the injury. Here is a list of all the possible symptoms of brain injuries:

Nausea and vomiting.

Fatigue or sleepiness.

Extreme headache.

Confusion.

Loss of muscle control or paralysis in the part of the body controlled by the part of the brain that is affected.

Coma.

Dilation of the pupils and related visual problems; Blurred vision, photosensitivity, blindness, loss of muscle control in the eyes.

Cerebrospinal fluids might come out of the ears and nose, sometimes accompanied by blood.

Problem breathing.

Low pulse rate.

Increase in blood pressure.

Difficulty in swallowing.

Loss of hearing.

Problems in cognitive functions.

Numbness or tingling in the limbs.

Loss of bladder and bowel control due to loss of control over muscle functions.

Loss of consciousness.

Treatment of Head Injury-

Diagnosis of a brain injury has to be detailed and very quick at the same time. It always comes under emergency cases. Some of the steps involved are:

Cardiac and pulmonary function test.

Glasgow Coma Scale test.

Pupil dilation and corneal function test.

Brain stem reflex tests.

The most common way of diagnosis is the use of CT scans and MRI scans.

A severe head injury often needs surgery to reverse symptoms like chronic fatigue, bleeding, or loss of bodily function. Diagnosis involves finding out the type and severity of the injury and treatment involves removing the problem surgically.

Take Away-

Head injuries take time to heal, but medical treatment along with neurosurgery can aid the process of recovery and also help a person to lead a healthy life in the future. Most young patients recover fully, while some older patients or patients with preexisting neurological conditions live with a degree of disability.

All You Must Know About Head Injury & Its Treatment!

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to a chronic condition that affects a person s musculoskeletal system. With this disorder, pressure on the sensitive points (known as trigger points) in the muscle induces pain in various parts of the body.

Myofascial pain syndrome mostly affects people in the age group 40-60 years.

What causes myofascial pain?

Typically, myofascial pain syndrome occurs because of repetitive muscle contraction or overuse, or due to an injury. Sensitive areas of the tight muscle fibres can develop following an injury/trauma, and ultimately lead to pain and strain throughout the muscle.

Symptoms to watch out for-

Common signs and symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome include-

  Severe pain in localized muscle areas
  Pain that worsens when you stretch or strain the affected muscle
  Muscle pain that persists for longer than usual, or worsens with time
  Painful, tender knots in the muscles that lead to severe pain when pressed
  Weakness and stiffness in the muscles
  Inflexibility or a reduced range of motion

Although muscle pain is temporary in most cases, and usually subside on its own, you should visit a doctor immediately if the pain becomes intense and severe. Otherwise, the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome can aggravate and impede your daily routine.

What is the treatment for myofascial pain syndrome?

Treatment for myofascial pain syndrome include a range of pain management options such as the following-

  Medications
Your doctor will likely prescribe medications that include anticonvulsants, analgesics, and over-the-counter Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These work as painkillers and help relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms.

  Dry-needling
Dry-needling is a quicker way of getting rid of myofascial pain symptoms. The doctor inactivates the trigger points by directly inserting a needle into it. He/she will then slowly move the needle around and poke it inside and out. The initial process can be a little painful, but it certainly helps manage the pain in your muscles. Alternatively, acupuncture needles can be used for the same procedure since they are small and are less painful.

  Local injections
Local injections, also known as trigger point injections, are similar to dry-needling. The only difference is that local injections involve injecting a solution (saline/steroid/or a local anaesthetic) into the trigger points. The method yield similar results as does dry-needling.

  Therapy
Different types of therapies can be used to ease the pain associated with this chronic pain disorder.

Ultrasound therapy where sound waves are transmitted into the muscle tissues through a sound-conducting gel applied on the skin. The sound waves heat up and relax the muscles, thereby improving blood circulation and removing the scar tissues. Ultrasound therapy is also effective in reducing muscle stiffness and increasing one s mobility.
Massage therapy also is very effective in treating myofascial pain syndrome. The therapist usually uses his/her fingers or some sort of equipment to induce pressure on the various trigger points. When performed, this procedure may first aggravate the muscle pain and then release muscle tension.
Apart from these, the doctor may prescribe regular exercising or physiotherapy treatment for patients suffering from chronic muscle pain.

Myofascial pain syndrome can be managed well using the techniques mentioned above. In addition, it is very important that you stick to some sort of physical activity. Talk to your doctor and incorporate these pain management techniques to live a pain-free healthy life.

Myofascial Pain - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Of It!

For diabetics, healthy eating is essential. This can be the most important tool available in managing diabetes and blood sugar fluctuations. This is because what a person eats has a direct effect on their blood sugar levels. When food is digested, it is broken down into a form of sugar known as glucose. This powers the body and acts as an energy source. For this, the body needs insulin. In the case of diabetics, insulin does not function the way it should or is not present in the required amounts. This causes the glucose to remain in the blood and in turn spikes blood sugar levels. The good news is that diabetes can be controlled. This is where the person s diet plays an important role.

Not all food causes an increase in blood sugar levels. The effect of a food item on a diabetic depends on how it affects the body s ability to process glucose. Processed foods, fatty foods, food with added sugar etc. can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. However, fruits and vegetables do not have the same effect. Foods that have a high glycemic index do not keep a person satiated for long but cause blood sugar fluctuations. On the other hand, foods with a low glycemic index do not cause blood sugar fluctuations and keep hunger satiated for longer. Hence, the former should be avoided as far as possible. Replace processed grains with whole grains, red meat with lean meat or fish and add plenty of beans and legumes to your diet. Trans fats should also be avoided.

Eating right can also help with weight management. Being overweight puts additional pressure on the insulin available which leads to frequent blood sugar fluctuations. Eating right accompanied by regular exercise is crucial to weight management. Keeping your weight under control can even help prevent diabetes especially in cases, where a person has a high genetic risk of developing diabetes. This can also help reduce the risk of further complications.

When it comes to diabetes, eating at the right time is as important as eating the right food. Diabetics should not leave long gaps between their meals. This is because having a gap of more than 3 hours can destabilize blood sugar levels and be dangerous for the patient. Hence, a diabetic should eat smaller, more frequent meals. It is also a good idea for a diabetic to monitor sugar levels before going to sleep and after waking up.

Importance Of Diet Management In Diabetes!

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder, where an affected person suffers from sleeplessness and is unable to fall asleep or remain asleep for a long time which is required to stay healthy. Insomnia affects the functioning of the body and increases pain sensitivity of the body.

Insomnia has many cures and treatment options. Homeopathy is considered to be an important and very efficient form of medication, which treats insomnia and related sleeping disorders. Homeopathy eliminates the cause of insomnia from the roots, and both the disorders and symptoms are cured.

Here are some common homeopathic medicines, which are used to treat insomnia, along with the symptoms when they are prescribed for use:

Arnica: It is used to ease patients when they overwork physically, and is also useful tor treating insomnia caused due to jet lag.
Aconite: Aconite cures acute cases of insomnia, which results because of fear, shock, paranoia, grief or due to some bad news. Anxiety, tension and restlessness also cause insomnia, which is cured by aconite.
Arsenicum album: This homeopathic remedy treats insomnia where a patient feels sleepy during the daytime, but cannot sleep at night. Restlessness and having bad dreams are observed.
Calcarea phosphoric: This medicine treats insomniac patients who experience difficulty in waking up in the morning. The patient becomes anxious, restless and gets irritated easily and tends to avoid daily routine.
Causticum: Causticum is used in cases of insomnia where bed wetting is likely by the patient, especially during the first phase of the night. The patient develops a fear of the dark and a strong sense of justice.
Chamomilla: Used in cases of sleeplessness in babies where teething, anger or colics cause disruption in sleep. The eyes do not close completely during sleep, and the patient moans. It is also used in grown-ups who are irritable and peevish and experience fearful dreams.
Cocculus: Cocculus cures insomnia, which occurs due to over exhaustion and over strain. It prevails in people who work during night shifts and need to spend sleepless nights due to work.
Coffea: This homeopathic remedy is derived from coffee beans and provides relaxation to insomniac people. When a person gets over excited and is kept awake because of constant thoughts, coffea can calm that person and make him fall asleep.
Equisetum: This homeopathic medicine cures insomnia where the patient wets the bed while dreaming. This happens due to immature nervous functioning.
Ignatia: Ignatia treats insomnia occurring from extreme shock, grief or emotional stress. The patient becomes very moody, jerks his limbs during sleep and experiences disturbing dreams.
Homeopathy is an ideal treatment for insomnia or sleeplessness. Being natural, it works very efficiently without any side effects.

10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Insomnia (Sleeplessness) Problem

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