Dr. Sonu Singh

One of the most common ailments the elderly suffer from is arthritis. However, arthritis can affect people of all ages. It is a rheumatic disease as in, it affects joints and bones. It can be of many types and the term covers a number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint diseases. Some of the most well-known types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, bone spurs, gout, and osteoarthritis.

The causes of arthritis have not been defined but there are a number of factors that increase a person's chances of getting it. Foremost amongst these is increasing age and excess weight. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and lupus are said to be hereditary and linked to certain genes. Sometimes, injuries can also cause arthritic conditions. Misuse of steroids can also result in arthritis.

Here is a look at the most common symptoms of the disease :-

• Pain around the joints is the most well-known symptom of arthritis. Along with pain, you may also notice swollen or stiff joints.
• Increased body temperature around the affected joints and redness in the area is also a symptom of arthritis. These symptoms range from mild to severe, and can be constant or may come and go.
• Everybody suffers from occasional joint pains but if any of the above symptoms persist for a long duration, it is best to consult a doctor. The sooner you seek treatment, the easier it becomes to deal with arthritis. If left untreated for too long, arthritis can result in permanent joint damage.
   

While there is no single cure for arthritis, it can be effectively controlled if treated in time. Since the type and severity of arthritis differ from person to person, treatment for the same must also be tailored to the needs of the individual.

• Drugs for arthritis can be categorized as those that treat symptoms such as pain and stiffness, and those that suppress inflammatory conditions.
• In some cases, surgery may be advisable.
• Physical therapy and regular exercise are very important when dealing with arthritis.
• It is equally important to eat a healthy, nutritious and well-balanced diet. If you are overweight, try and lose the excess kilos.
• You must also look after your joints to ensure that there is no further degradation of bone or muscle tissue. Avoid staying in one position for a long time, and try and maintain a good posture.

These simple techniques can be very effective when dealing with all types of arthritis.

Chronic knee pain is long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. Many conditions can cause or contribute to chronic knee pain, and many treatments exist. Each person’s experience with chronic knee pain will be different.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by constant flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, insomnia and joint pains. However, the disease has no visible symptoms. There are also no known causes for the disease. While some believe stress to be a trigger for fibromyalgia, other theories suggest that physical and emotional factors such as a prior illness lead to the onset of this disease. This leads to fibromyalgia patients being often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Almost 80% of fibromyalgia patients are women. While the disease is not lethal, it can make daily life difficult.

The criteria for fibromyalgia were established only in the late 1900s. In addition, the symptoms of this disease present themselves differently in each patient. This makes diagnosis very difficult.

• Constant pain all over the body is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia.
• You may also feel constantly tired, and unable to get a restful sleep.
• Some fibromyalgia patients also suffer from depression or anxiety and an irritable bowel syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia patients may also feel hyper sensitive to cold or heat, and feel numbness in fingers and toes.

Fibromyalgia has no known cure, and like arthritis, treatment for this disease addresses its symptoms. Most treatment programs include a combination of drugs, physical therapy, and behavioral techniques.

Pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication and antidepressants are the two types of drugs administered to fibromyalgia patients. However, these should not be counted on as a long-term solution, as the side effects of these medicines can cause additional problems. Therapeutic massages and chiropractic manipulations can also help ease the pain. Along with this, it is also important to rest and relax. This helps reduce stress which often triggers fibromyalgia symptoms.

To get a better night's sleep, try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. A warm glass of milk or chamomile tea just before bedtime can also help induce sleep. As far as possible, avoid taking sleeping tablets, as the body can soon become dependent on these.

Though you may constantly feel tired, increasing the day to day activity levels can have a positive effect on your health. Consider adding low-intensity activities such as walking, cycling, yoga or dancing to your daily routine. Complement these with a well-balanced, nutritious diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables. If you or a loved one has fibromyalgia, bad days may not be prevented. But with treatment, they can be controlled.

Cerebral palsy is a neurologic condition that occurs in children, and is due to brain injury that develops before, during, or after childbirth. The condition presents with motor impairment, and therefore there is generalized physical and mental dysfunction. The brain continues to develop for the first two years of life, and so conditions like premature birth, asphyxia at birth, and postnatal meningitis and encephalitis.

The diagnosis could be trigged by the slow motor development, poor muscle tone, and delayed response of the baby. One of the main noticeable feature that becomes evident is the spasticity of the limbs. The child may not be able to voice it out, but pain is a significant disabling factor too. While doctors would advise that physical movement is required to keep the spasticity at bay, the pain keeps the child away from most activities. This further adds to the spasticity and worsening of the condition.

Pain control therefore assumes a significant role and the modes can range from physical therapy to pain killers to injections to surgery. The idea, in addition to pain control, is also to:

1. Improve range of motion
2. Improve motor response
3. Promote good motor development
4. Reduce and control contractures
5. Improve overall lifestyle
6. Improve muscle strength
7. Improve exercise tolerance
8. Reduce spasticity

Some of the non-medical ways to control pain are listed below.

Of course, pain killers and injections are always used when immediate relief is required. A structured physical therapy program that includes medications and exercise is the best way to manage cerebral palsy pain. Though initially difficult, over a period of time, it improves range of motion and improves joint movement.

1. Acupuncture: Triggering specific points via needles is believed to stimulate the nerve endings and help in pain control
2. Alternating ice and heat therapy: This is also believed to improve pain control, blood circulation, and muscle movement.
3. Positioning in bed: A well-positioned child in bed may have less pain compared to another child who is not. Special equipment may be used also to keep the child in place, once the most comfortable situation is located.
4. Muscle massage: The affected muscles need to be massaged repeatedly so that blood flow improves, joint movement is better, and pain is controlled.
5. Botox is successfully used to pain control, as it paralyzes the specific muscles along with providing pain control.
6. Medications are used regularly, which are mainly anticholinergic and anti-spastic medications. They reduce stiffness, control pain, and help in pain control too.
7. Surgery is the last option and needs to be explored with the doctor.

Headaches and migraines are one of the most common types of pains that patients can face. There are many types of headaches that may afflict people and there are a number of reasons that can be attributed as their cause.

Let's look at some of the types of headaches and their causes:
Facial headaches - This is an ache, which is usually centered on the face, the crown, and the forehead. In this headache, movements of the head and face may also cause problems.

• Causes: The main cause for facial headaches tends to be sinusitis, a condition in which the cavities in the skull get blocked. Sinusitis may also happen due to a cold as this has often been accompanied by a runny nose as well.
• Treatments: The best treatment for this issue would be to treat the underlying condition, i.e. the cold or the blockages. Using the prescribed variety of decongestants and inhalers can vastly improve the situation.

Migraines - This is an intense pain on one side of the head that can last for a few hours to a few days. Most of the pain is sometimes centered behind the eye, and many people report extreme sensitivity to light as well as sound. It can be debilitating to some people who suffer from a severe form of it.

• Causes: Migraines are one of the most complicated problems to diagnose and there can be a variety of reasons for it. Triggers may include food or lack of it and also be caused by other underlying physiological reasons.
• Treatments: Although there are certain painkillers, which are available, it is best to consult a doctor to know the root cause and thus, avoid the triggers or take appropriate medicines if necessary.

Tension Headaches - These headaches are induced by periods of stress, anxiety, anger and other mental distresses.

• Causes: These headaches are a result of stress, which may result in the decrease of the blood flow to the brain due to the stiffening of the head and neck muscles.
• Treatments: Over the counter drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help improve them, but it is better to consult a physician before undertaking self-medication.

Cluster Headaches - These are the most potent form of headaches that can be very painful. They usually originate as a piercing pain in the head with pressure on the eye and can even lead eye inflammation, and watery and droopy eyes.

• Causes: Certain neural functions originating from the hypothalamus can cause this issue and this type of headache may be triggered by alcohol, smoking or other forms of strong smells.
• Treatments: Generic painkillers may not be able to correct the issue quickly enough and this may require the administering of special injections or nasal sprays.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

How To Control Nerve Pain?

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Relaxation Techniques: In combination with the above mentioned 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.

7. 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.

hello,

We are working on postural association of lifestyle disease, postural association of pain and postural association of most of the evolving muscular-skeletal issue. If we notice what has changed during the last few years, there has been masive change in our lifestyle, our living standards, our surroundings that ultimately we are going towards modernization. By modernisation we are changing our surroundings. Previously we used to walk on soft floor. Now we are walking on much harder floor. Our running surface has been changed, our sitting posture, our living standard, our lifestyle all the things are changing. At Rehab For You, we are advising you how to live with your surroundings, how do you change your surrounding so that you live comfortably, how we can rectify your posture on how we can rectify your defective areas, how we can give you rapid cure from pain. Also at Rehab For You we are working on rapid cure from pain.

Pain is a biggest enemy of human body. Simply if you have pain you ask for a painkiller but how is it helping you? It is infact killing you. You are subsiding your pain by suppressing your pain center. After some time there is a again recurrence of pain, you are again taking painkiller. This cycle has been repeated so many times but here at our centre we are working on target organs. We are working on how to give rapid cure. Like in osteoarthritis people use to take painkiller for decades also but what happened? They are ultimately damaging their sensitive areas. They are taking painkiller, they are putting more pressure on their damaged areas and by doing so they are fully damaging their joints.

At Rehab For You, we are mostly working on injection therapy like, injection Botox, PRP, steroid injection. How much and how rapid can they give you relief from pain. Third area of our concern is Cerebral Palsy. In India 95% of cerebral palsy are not getting proper treatment because most of the parents are not knowledgeable enough. Most of the time they are engaged in therapies and sessions for so many years. Ultimately the golden phase in which you can expect maximum recovery is lost. Fourth, we are working on handicap rehabilitation. By handicap few people are having muscular-skeletal issue, few people are having amputation. By providing them appropriate advice and splint support and prosthetics. We are helping them in rapid ambulation. As soon as the patient will ambulate, they will get more confidence and more active lifestyle. Fifth, we are not working much on medication, we are working more on how to change lifestyle, how to correct posture, how to correct pain. That is our ultimate moto.

Thank you!