How Opioids Can Cause You More Pain

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Prescription painkillers are becoming the most common way to treat chronic pain in the U.S. This has led to the opioid epidemic – the increasing prevalence of opioid overuse and addiction that often begins in the doctor’s office. Patients come to their physician for help with pain and leave with a crippling drug dependency that causes more problems than the original disease or diagnosis.

The effects of opioid overuse are not limited to addiction and disruptions in lifestyle either. Many patients report heightened sensitivity to pain after months of drug use. This leaves them not only addicted but in worse pain than they had before. 

How does this happen? This article will explore the effects of opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and how you can prevent it when experiencing chronic pain.

How Opioids Cause You More Pain

Physical pain is transmitted through the body by pain receptors in your central and peripheral nervous system. How opioids reduce this pain is by blocking the nerve receptors and, therefore, blocking any pain signals in the body. This works for as long as the drug is in the system but wears off after several hours when the pain receptors return.

The body responds to the drug by creating even more pain receptors than before, which can again be blocked by opioid use. However, this creates a feedback loop where more and more pain receptors are produced, making the drugs less effective. This leads to a heightened pain response – hyperalgesia – increasing dosages and dependence on the drugs.

Long-term use of opioids can also disrupt our body’s ability to produce endorphins, the natural substance that helps us deal with pain. A lack of endorphins coupled with a heightened pain response can create more intense, challenging to manage, even with opioids. You may start to see your chronic pain symptoms recur or have severe pain from minor accidents such as stubbing your toe or scraping your skin. 

Other symptoms of opioid-induced hyperalgesia include:

  • Decentralized pain from an injury or accident
  • Chronic widespread pain 
  • Pain that lasts longer than expected

Breaking the Habit

Opioids also halt our tolerance building to pain, but physical and emotional. If someone is using opioids daily, they likely don’t feel any pain at all. Then, when they try to wean themselves off, the pain is much worse than before because their body is not coping with it. It is the same with any other skill – the more you practice, the better you become. If you stop practicing resilience against pain, you lose the ability to fight it. 

This does not mean in any way that those in chronic pain should not seek help to stop it. However, opioids are a dangerous solution for long-term pain that can not only worsen it but leave you vulnerable to any disruption in your medication regimen. 

Talk to your PPOA clinic about alternative pain options if you want long-lasting relief. We are led by innovation and excellence in pain management and want to help our patients lead healthy, independent lives free of pain. 

To learn more about how you can get off the opioids and find long-lasting relief for pain, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

 

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What are the Common Causes of Pelvic Pain?

The pelvis is home to some of your body’s most important organs and bones, including the hip bones, intestines, bladder, and internal reproductive organs. Pelvic pain, therefore, can be challenging to diagnose because such organs are so close together and often have similar symptoms when something goes wrong. 

Even if you think you know where your pelvic pain is coming from, it’s essential to talk to a doctor to receive a diagnosis. A mild pain you think is IBS or menstrual cramps could be a sign of something more serious, especially if it is irregular or more intense than your typical aching stomach. 

If you experience bloating, swelling, intense pain, or pain that comes and goes often, you may want to see a doctor to diagnose your pelvic pain.

10 Common Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can arise from digestive, urinary, or reproductive symptoms, but some diseases are much more common than others. Ask your doctor if you think the symptoms fit for any of these conditions:

Ovarian cysts

Cysts commonly occur on the ovaries throughout a woman’s lifetime, and typically they cause no harm. However, a ruptured cyst can cause intense pain and further complications if left untreated. 

Painful bladder syndrome

Interstitial cystitis, more commonly known as painful bladder syndrome, is caused by a dysfunction of pelvic nerves. The pelvic nerves typically signal you to urinate when the bladder is full, but sometimes if the nerves are damaged, they can cause that urge to happen when your bladder is not full or cause general pain in the pelvis.

Pregnancy complications

There are a variety of complications arising from pregnancy that can cause pelvic pain. More severe complications include miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies, but many other causes of mild pelvic pain do not cause harm to you or your baby. It’s essential to get checked out if you have unexpected bleeding or cramps, even if you do not think you are pregnant. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes unexplained, widespread pain throughout the body. Fibromyalgia can cause pain anywhere, including the pelvis. Talk to your doctor about fibromyalgia if you have unexplained pelvic pain, fatigue, memory, and mood issues. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common digestive disorder that causes bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, and sometimes eating trouble. It is caused by various digestive issues and stress but can interfere with lifestyle, diet choices, and overall quality of life.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is another type of digestive disorder that causes many symptoms as IBS. However, it is typically hereditary and lifelong, making treatment more tricky. 

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the same tissue that typically lines the interior of the uterus begins forming on the outside. It causes many problems, from infertility to pelvic pain and intense period symptoms. 

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by inflammation of the appendix and leads to intense pain throughout the abdomen. Like a bladder infection or ruptured cyst, this pain is often sudden and worsens with movement or without treatment. Appendicitis can happen in children and adults, so always be cautious if you or a loved one has sudden, sharp pelvic pain.

Urinary tract infections (UTI)

UTIs are a common infection of the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. They can cause painful and frequent urination, changes in urine appearance, and pelvic pain in women. Luckily, UTIs are easy to treat with antibiotics, so be sure to seek medical attention soon if you have any of these symptoms. 

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form inside the kidneys and become intensely painful when they pass through the urinary tract. While smaller kidney stones can sometimes be passed on their own, you will likely feel intense pain in the pelvis if a larger one starts to move. In this case, seek medical attention to avoid complications. 

When to See A Doctor

A medical professional should treat pelvic pain that is sudden, severe, or coupled with other side effects such as bleeding. You never want to wait too long with severe pelvic pain, as failure to treat symptoms early on can cause more issues down the line. 

A doctor should also check chronic pelvic pain, especially for women. Women are diagnosed with UTIs, fibromyalgia, and reproductive problems much more often than men, and these issues can cause long-term damage if not treated. 

For more information on pelvic pain or to receive a diagnosis for chronic issues, contact your local PPOA today.

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The Five Most Common Causes of Hip Pain

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Hip pain is one of the chronic pain conditions that can make you feel as if you’re aging. While hip replacements and hip problems are common after retirement, they should not be a reason to slow you down or limit your activity. Most causes of hip pain are easily treatable if you go to a pain specialist. 

Below are the five most common causes of hip pain and how you can prevent or treat them. 

Arthritis

There are a variety of arthritis conditions that affect the hip joints, but they all cause pain, stiffness, and mobility issues if they become advanced. Like most arthritis conditions, treatments include physical therapy, injections and medications, and occasionally surgical intervention if other treatments are not manageable. PPOA offers a variety of treatment options as arthritis specialists and can help you avoid long-term reliance on pain medication. 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that causes the bones to become fragile and brittle due to aging. Osteoporosis can become so severe that even bending over or a minor fall can cause fractures, leading to strict limitations on lifestyle. Osteoporosis commonly leads to hip fractures and should be treated by a physician to avoid serious complications. 

Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves occur when a bone, tendon, or muscle puts pressure on a nerve, causing pain, tingling, and loss of mobility in the joint. Pinched nerves are a common cause of hip pain and make it very difficult to walk or move without shooting pain. Pinched nerves can be treated surgically for long-lasting relief, so if you suspect you may have one, contact your local PPOA clinic to receive a diagnosis. 

Sprains and Other Injuries

Hips, like any other joint, can sprain or overextend, causing ongoing pain. This can happen during exercise, during a fall, or simply due to overuse. Sprains are a common cause of hip pain in younger adults and should be checked out to ensure they heal properly. 

Tendinitis

Tendinitis, like arthritis, is an inflammatory disease that affects the tendons that keep the bones together and in place. Tendinitis causes similar symptoms to arthritis, including tingling, numbness, pain, and swelling in certain areas. There are a variety of treatments for tendinitis ranging from OTC pain medication to surgical intervention. Talk to your PPOA physician to determine which treatment option is best for you. 

PPOA takes hip pain very seriously, significantly if symptoms worsen. Talk to your local clinic today to learn more about your options and how PPOA can help you. 

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Sudden back pain? Here’s what to do…

Your back is the center of your entire body, both physically and systematically. It works hard all day to keep you upright, aligned, and able to walk and move without trouble. The spine is also an essential part of the nervous system. If you have a spinal injury, you risk nerve damage that can cause tingling, numbness, and even paralysis in severe cases. When your back gets injured, your entire body suffers. 

Because our backs work so hard, it is common for them to become sore or injured throughout our lifetimes. Whether you picked something up the wrong way or fell on your back and are now experiencing pain, you need to address the issue immediately to avoid long-term injury. 

If you feel a sudden pain in your back from overexertion or a fall, here’s what you need to do:

Step one: Use ice-heat therapy 

A back injury is often caused by overexertion of the muscles, which causes inflammation. The rotation of ice and heat can loosen these muscles and help them heal independently. To begin this at-home treatment, use ice on the sore muscles for the first 72 hours, then alternate between heat and ice packs for 15 minutes a day until the pain subsides. 

Step two: Support your back while sitting and sleeping

During the first few days after the injury, you will likely feel constant aches and pains in the back. Use a lumbar pillow or a rolled-up towel while sitting and sleeping to support the healing muscles. This can allow you to relax during the day, which will help with the healing process better. 

Step three: Know when to rest and when to stretch

Like most injuries, you want to rest your back after pulling or straining it to let the muscles recover. However, too much resting can worsen the pain and stiffness over time. Be sure to get up and walk throughout the day and gently stretch your back (as long as you have no pain when doing so). But, stay away from sports, heavy lifting, or other physically demanding activities that can worsen the back injury. 

Step 4: See your doctor if the pain lingers or worsens after two weeks

Back pain often resolves itself with rest, ice, heat, and support. However, some injuries can cause permanent issues with the muscles or discs of the spine and will require medical intervention at some point. If your back pain gets worse or does not go away after two weeks, contact your physician immediately for help. The longer you wait for diagnosis, the more risk you put yourself in for serious back problems later in life. 

PPOA specializes in back pain treatment, including surgical interventions, physical therapy, and combination treatments to ensure long-term recovery at an affordable cost. If you are struggling with ongoing back pain and have no idea where to turn, call us today for a consultation. We want to help you regain your quality of life through holistic pain treatment and prevention. 

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How to Deal with Pain from Shingles

Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is among the most painful and irritating skin conditions diagnosed in older adults. If you had chickenpox as a child or come into contact with someone with shingles, you have the potential to develop the disease. The virus lies dormant in your system and may recur as a painful rash later in life. Scientists know very little about what causes the rash to occur or how some individuals develop it, and others do not. 

The worst symptom of shingles is pain. It can be a mild burning and itching sensation for some, but for others, it can cause constant, intense pain in large areas of the body. If you are experiencing shingles pain, you have several immediate treatment options. 

Shingles Pain And Other Symptoms

Shingles are not life-threatening, but the pain can cause worry for many patients. It will most likely present right before developing a large rash all over large areas of the torso. However, shingles pain can occur even if a rash never occurs. Some patients develop postherpetic neuralgia, which causes shingles pain even after the blisters have healed. Other signs and symptoms of shingles include: 

  • Pain or burning in the skin
  • Tingling or numbness in large areas of the skin
  • Sensitivity to light or touch
  • A red rash or blisters
  • Itching 
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Fatigue 

Vaccines and Treatment 

A shingles vaccine is available and recommended for individuals over 50. It is recommended whether or not you’ve had chickenpox or shingles before because the disease can occur more than once and can be spread on contact. While the vaccines cannot treat shingles, they can reduce the likelihood of infection and protect others around you from developing the disease. 

Shingles pain is most often treated with: 

  • OTC medications and topical treatments
  • Prescription painkillers
  • Nerve-blocking injections

Other treatment options are available through your physician’s office, so it is best to set up an appointment as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. The sooner you treat shingles, the less likely you will develop severe symptoms. 

Shingles can result in more severe side effects if not treated properly. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your physician immediately to prevent permanent damage: 

  • Pain or a shingles rash near the eye (shingles can cause permanent eye damage)
  • If you’re 60 or older, as older age can increase your likelihood of complications
  • You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system (due to cancer, immune disorders, medications, or other factors)
  • The rash is widespread and very painful

PPOA offers short and long-term treatment for shingles and post-therapeutic neuralgia. If you suspect you may have contracted the disease, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

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Recover from surgery without getting addicted to painkillers

Patients are often hesitant to undergo surgery for many reasons. Some are scared of the procedure, while others worry about extended hospital stay costs. However, one of the most common concerns we hear among PPOA patients is the treatment process for post-surgery pain. 

Our patients often come to us because they look for a painkiller alternative to their chronic conditions. The last thing they want is to use more painkillers after their surgery. This can also be true for those who have struggled with drug or alcohol addictions and do not want to complicate their recovery process by using opioids. While medication-based recovery is expected in many hospital settings, it is not the only way to deal with post-surgery pain. 

Talk to your doctor about alternatives and safe practices for opioid use after surgery. The first step to a successful recovery is communication. We’d be happy to go over each of these options with you:

Alternative medications

Opioids are most commonly used because of how strong they are, but they are not the only option for pain management. If you believe you can handle a lower level of pain and need something to manage higher levels, talk to your doctor about anti-inflammatory drugs, nerve medications, or muscle relaxants. These can help reduce pain and allow you to return to normal activities faster. 

Mind-body techniques

Your mindset about pain can help you cope with it more successfully, which is why we recommend mindfulness techniques for all patients regardless of their condition. Tools such as acupuncture and mindful meditation can make you more resilient to pain, which is critical in recovering from surgery without opioids. 

Tapering medication use

Typically, post-surgical pain can be handled with over-the-counter medications after a few days. When patients reach day five or more and are still using opioid painkillers, an issue can arise. Ask your doctor about safe tapering dosages to ensure you are off the strong stuff within the first week, and ask them not to provide refills unless you have an in-person consultation. This can help reduce the risk of dependence afterward and protect you when you’re in a vulnerable position. 

An honest conversation

If you are someone who has struggled with drug or alcohol addiction in the past, it is essential to talk to your doctor about this so they can create a plan for you that is safe and effective. For example, some patients in recovery have a spouse or friend hold onto medication to reduce the risk of overuse. You can also request not to receive a prescription for at-home medications, so you don’t use them without medical supervision. 

PPOA is in the fight against the opioid epidemic that is still ravaging this country. We take alternative medicines to pain relief very seriously and help tailor a plan to what’s suitable for you. To learn more about your painkiller-free recovery options, give us a call today!

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Is pain causing my insomnia, or is insomnia causing pain?

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Sleep is often not taken as seriously as it should be. While it may not be disastrous to lose sleep every once and a while over a tight deadline or fun night out, constant sleep deprivation can cause a series of health problems that should be addressed with a physician. Insomnia, one of the most common and troubling sleep disorders, can make a good night’s rest hard to come by and ensure your days are less productive and fulfilling than they would otherwise be. 

Sleep deprivation is the worst symptom of insomnia, but chronic pain comes at a close second. If you are experiencing insomnia and chronic pain simultaneously, talk to your doctor about the links between these issues and what you can do to stop them. 

Is pain causing my insomnia, or is insomnia causing pain?

Studies show that nearly 50% of chronic pain patients experience some form of sleep dysregulation, with most experiencing ongoing insomnia. Because the body is overstimulated due to the pain response, the brain remains active and has trouble falling asleep. Patients often feel restless, and unable to distract themselves from the pain. This can lead to endless nights of struggling to get a good night’s rest and increased fatigue during the day. 

Not only does the pain itself cause sleep disturbances, but common pain medications such as codeine and morphine can also disrupt circadian rhythm and make insomnia more likely. Sleep apnea and breathing issues caused by these medications make waking up in the middle of the night more likely. 

In some cases, those experiencing insomnia can develop chronic pain issues as they toss and turn at night or stay up without giving their bodies a rest. While pain is not a common symptom of insomnia, it may indicate that the problem has become severe and requires medical treatment. 

Complications of Co-Occurring Pain and Insomnia

Chronic patients who experience insomnia, as opposed to those who don’t, experience more severe pain, longer duration of pain, worse flare-ups, and greater levels of mental and emotional dysregulation. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders are common with chronic pain and insomnia diagnoses. This only worsens the problem, snowballing into a state where the patient feels as if they cannot function at any point in the day. 

Pain and sleeping medications can temporarily alleviate the burden, but the best cure is to treat the underlying condition of your chronic pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain due to an injury illness, or have not received a diagnosis yet, talk to your local PPOA clinic for more information. 

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Back Pain at Night: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Back pain is the most common type of chronic pain in the U.S. Over 80% of adults will experience it at some point in their lives, with more severe cases resulting in spinal stenosis, arthritis, or other long-term chronic pain conditions. While minor back pain may not be a concern after a long day at work or when sleeping on a new mattress for the first time, it can become worrisome if you experience it every night. 

Some types of back pain become worse at night or can keep you awake, causing more problems during the day. If your back pain gets worse at night, it may be from one of these four causes: 

An uncomfortable bed.

If you’re waking up in the middle of the night with back pain, or feel like your back pain is worse after sleeping, it could be caused by your mattress or sleeping position. A mattress that is too soft may not support your spine properly, while a mattress that is too firm can cause aches in the muscles. You may also need a pillow to support your knees or spine depending on the sleeping position that is most comfortable to you.

Pregnancy symptoms. 

Around 50% of women experience acute back pain during pregnancy, especially in later stages. In a recent survey of 200 pregnant women, ⅓ of those who experienced back pain reported worsening symptoms at night with many experiencing sleep disturbances. If the back pain has only started after pregnancy, it may be related to your body’s changing demands. 

Poor posture.

If you sit at a desk all day and come home with an aching back, it may be due to your daytime posture. Factors such as wearing high heels, bending down often during the day, or heavy lifting can also contribute to posture and movement-related nighttime back pain. If this is the case, you may need to exercise your back or support your posture with the right chair or a back brace 

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis in the spine and the joints between the spine and pelvis. The most common symptoms include pain and stiffness in the back which can worsen at night and disturb sleeping patterns. In a 2018 study, morning stiffness and pain that interrupted or prevented sleep were the two most common symptoms of this type of arthritis. 

If you are experiencing nightly back pain that doesn’t go away with simple lifestyle adjustments, you may want to talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options. Very rarely, back pain can be a symptom of a more severe injury or illness and should always be addressed with care. 

To learn more about back pain or to talk to a doctor about your symptoms, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

 

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How to tell when a child is in chronic pain

Young children are often overwhelmed by the world. They live in a place where everything is more significant than them and new. They are also equipped with limited communication skills, which makes navigating their world much more strange and complex—one of the hardest things for kids is to communicate with their parents is pain. 

Your child may not know how to express pain because they don’t understand what is happening. When the cause of pain is apparent, such as a cut or fall, they know to cry and run to mom or dad for help. But when the pain is internal or chronic, they likely don’t understand what is wrong or how to fix it. This can lead to months of behavioral problems that cause frustration for both parent and child. 

As caretakers, we can often find it difficult to distinguish between real pain and purely emotional crying. It is usual for children to call or be fussy over mild emotional hurdles because they are not well-practiced in navigating their emotions. However, chronic pain can mask itself in these normal childhood behaviors and go undiagnosed at no fault to the parent or child. 

Hidden Signs of Pain in Children

While diagnosing chronic or genetic causes of pain in children is difficult, there are tell-tale signs you can look out for that may indicate an internal issue: 

  • They cry or moan when touched or picked up with no apparent cause. This often causes parents to think they want to be left alone, but this is rarely the case, even for shy children.  
  • They are often restless or moody even after a fun day 
  • They hold onto a particular part of the body a lot
  • They avoid moving a specific part of the body
  • Your infant has a sudden change in crying patterns
  • They have a fever or are sweating but show no other signs of a cold or flu
  • They are breathing fast or have a rapid heartbeat
  • They are frowning or are quieter than usual; any changes in personality should be taken seriously as they could indicate a variety of health or emotional issues
  • They refuse to play with other children or are more careful than usual
  • They are often overstimulated or hold their hands over their ears in louder settings

How To Talk To Your Child About Pain

Talking to your child about pain is often more difficult than diagnosing it in the first place. They may not understand what is going on or maybe reluctant to talk about it if the pain happened after an accident. You can make this easier by asking them questions like: 

  • Where is the darling? Can you point the doll to where it hurts on you?
  • What makes the pain worse? What makes it better? 
  • Did something happen that caused it to hurt? 

If you suspect your child may have an internal injury or a chronic pain issue, take them to the pediatrician immediately. They may refer you to a pain specialist like PPOA to treat joint or bone issues, which can significantly improve your child’s quality of life and development.

To learn more about chronic pain in children, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

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Everything you need to know about Nociceptive Pain

You may have heard of nociceptive pain from your doctor or online, but very rarely is this term used in everyday life. In this guide, we’ll go over the different types, symptoms, and treatment options for nociceptive pain and how your PPOA clinic can help you recover.

Nociceptive pain is simply any pain that occurs after physical injury or due to inflammation internally. It is a pain you feel when you stub your toe, when inflammation in a joint causes arthritis, or when a kidney stone travels through your bladder. 

This type of pain is detected by nociceptors or the nerves that detect acute pain due to abrasion, swelling, or inflammation. This is different from neuropathic pain, caused by sensitivity or dysfunction of the nerves. Neuropathic pain includes chronic conditions like phantom limb pain (dysfunction) or cancer (sensitivity) pain, but acute injuries like nociceptive pain do not necessarily cause these. 

Types of Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain is put into two categories: somatic and visceral. Somatic pain includes pain from the limbs and exterior of your body, while visceral pain comes from the organs. Examples of both include: 

  • Somatic pain – A broken bone, a rash, or arthritis in a joint
  • Visceral pain – A stomachache, a heart attack, or a kidney stone

Chronic Nociceptive Pain

In most cases, nociceptive pain goes away when the injury is healed. While this may take several days or weeks, the pain goes away once the tissue damage or inflammation is resolved. However, a prolonged recovery or repetitive injury can cause chronic nociceptive pain. 

The longevity of the injury makes these nerves more sensitive over time. This leads to pain that doesn’t disappear even when the wound is healed. Common chronic nociceptive pain conditions include arthritis, fibromyalgia, and pelvic pain.

How Is Nociceptive Pain Treated?

In most cases, nociceptive pain is treated by treating the underlying condition and supplementing with temporary pain relievers. If you break your arm, your doctor will set the fractured bone and provide pain medication for the initial shock. However, once the bone is healed, the pain will subside. Other options for complex or chronic nociceptive primary include: 

  • Physical therapy to strengthen the injured muscles or joints
  • Pain medications to alleviate intense or prolonged pain
  • Medical procedures to block nerve receptions
  • Surgeries or other medical procedures to treat underlying conditions
  • Alternative medicine options such as yoga o mindfulness meditation

Nociceptive pain disrupts our lives temporarily, but it should never go on forever without treatment. If you are experiencing chronic pain after an injury, contact your local PPOA clinic to learn about your treatment options.

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