All posts filed under: guest post

Contributor: Managing Your Fibromyalgia Skin Flares

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Fibromyalgia affects nearly 10 million Americans, making it a chronic and debilitating condition for many individuals. Chronic pain can be unmanageable at times, especially when new symptoms like skin problems arrive. As if the pain and fatigue weren’t enough to make you feel uncomfortable, when you add in the effect that fibromyalgia has on skin, it becomes even more challenging to live with this condition. Luckily, just as there are ways to control chronic pain and fatigue, you can learn to manage your skin flares more easily as well. Symptoms and Causes of Skin Flares You may wonder how or where these bumps and rashes originated from. However, if you have fibromyalgia, chances are that you are acquiring yet another symptom from this condition. These rashes can be raised and bumpy, also while developing skin sensitivity and tenderness with the rash. The itchiness from your rash may or may not come with pain and tenderness, but also can create a crawling sensation on your skin. It’s been studied that more than 3.3% of individuals with fibromyalgia experience some type …

Contributor: Easy Chronic Pain Remedies That Are Cheap and Effective

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When chronic pain becomes a physical and a mental burden that is hard to overcome, you may be desperate to find a quick solution. What are some remedies to help temporarily ease chronic pain? Read to find out more. If you are suffering from chronic pain flare, it can be tough to find quick remedies. Most of the time, you want to stay in bed and call it a day. However, life does not always work that way. Sometimes we have to put on our capes and “save the day” despite the aches that run through our bodies. This is where some remedies for chronic pain can be effective. They may not be a permanent solution, but at least they can alleviate some discomfort during pain flares. Before looking over these remedies, it is important to understand what causes chronic pain for you to make sufficient lifestyle changes. Knowing the underlying cause of your chronic pain can be helpful in finding the best pain management solutions that will give you a better quality of life. …

Contributor: Sleeping Better with Chronic Pain

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I’m a chronic pain sufferer from Copenhagen, Denmark who suffers from multiple pain conditions following an accident four years ago. I have a disc prolapse in my neck, nerve damage in my shoulder, and thoracic outlet syndrome, so, unfortunately, I’m no stranger to pain. I’m also a writer and editor for a Danish bedroom and wellness magazine. Sleep and Pain Go Hand in Hand Something that’s been with me since the accident is poor sleep. I’ve become very sensitive to my sleeping environment; noise, temperature, mattresses, and pillows have to be exactly right if I am to get a good night’s sleep. I know this is something I share with many who suffer from chronic pain. We sleep poorly because of pain, and that, in turn, creates even more pain. Did you know that sleep is fundamental in dealing with inflammation? Poor sleep is a strong predictor of pain, creating a vicious circle. This is why we should do our very best to get the sleep we so deserve! I’ve been experimenting for several years …

Contributor: How to Deal with Spring Allergies – 4 Key Tips for Retirees

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Allergies are one of the most common health issues in the US. To be more precise, they’re the sixth most common cause of chronic conditions for Americans. From allergic rhinitis and asthma to food allergies, these problems affect every age group. Some allergies, however, tend to worsen as people get older. For instance, asthma can cause some serious difficulties in the elderly. So, it’s important to change your lifestyle to alleviate the effects of spring allergies. 1)     Prepare for the season If you are allergic to pollen, bear in mind that spring is the worst time of the year for you. Because of that, it’s important to properly prepare for the season. Visit your GP before pollen season begins and ask them to give you an antihistamine. If you start taking this medicine beforehand, you’ll alleviate the irritating effects that this and other similar allergies have on your body. There are also herb-based alternatives to traditional anti-allergy medicines that you can get over the counter. As you’re paying your doctor a visit, ask about these …

Contributor: 12 Simple Ways to Show Love to Someone with Chronic Illness

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Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly difficult; so can knowing how to be there for someone living with a chronic illness. Try the following tips to show love to the friend or family member in your life who’s experiencing difficulties: Offer help Your loved one may find it difficult to ask for help, so offer yours before they have to ask. However, don’t assume you know what they need. Always let them tell you. Speak to your friend or family member like you would for anybody else, not with pity, but with simple kindness: “Hey, I’m going to town to buy a few things, is there anything I can get for you?” This way, they would be more comfortable to let you know what they need without sounding imposing or feeling uncomfortable that they might have inconvenienced you. Check in on them Your loved one may not want to pre-emptively burden others with their problems. Send them regular messages asking them how they are so they have the chance to unload. Asking them …

Contributor: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Chronic Pain

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I get emails on a pretty consistent basis from people looking to contribute content or repost good material from other sites. Million Mile Secrets sent me this great guide to traveling with chronic pain and illness. They have affiliate links for credit card promos, which is something I’ve been meaning to learn about in detail because I feel like I always leave money on the table simply because I refuse to learn the points game. Some highlights: Keep prescription medications in your carry-on luggage (that way, you never lose it if your bag doesn’t get to your intended destination) Don’t sit at the back of the plane, because turbulence is worse back there (and you can’t recline!) Sign up for a credit card that allows access to those fancy airport lounges where you can relax before a flight instead of suffering in terrible airport chairs (this had never occurred to me, I thought you had to have like a billion dollars and a black AmEx before you were allowed in those lounges) How to use …

Contributor: Conquering The Pain Of Rotator Cuff Injuries

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Rotator cuff injuries (RCIs) are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain for people of all ages. They occur when damage is done to the group of muscles and tissues that surround the shoulder joint and are most prevalent in groups of people who perform frequent overhead motions. Examples include carpenters, painters, and baseball and tennis players. However, injury can also occur because of age. When the tendons are worn down, they can even tear. If you notice sudden pain or you have been battling pain for a while, take a proactive stance to injury and find the best combination of treatments so you can get back to normal life as soon as possible. Rotator cuff injuries can cause chronic pain The pain from an RCI can be acute or chronic. When the injury is caused by a sudden blow or brusque movement, acute pain can ensue but when damage is caused by wear and tear (which occurs in jobs that require frequent lifting, for instance), pain can be chronic. Symptoms that indicate injury or worn-out …

Guest Contributor: The Pain Companion by Sarah Anne Shockley

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  As many of you know, I write an occasional column for the Pain News Network. One of my compatriots there, Sarah Anne Shockley, recently published a book called The Pain Companion: Everyday Wisdom for Living With and Moving Beyond Chronic Pain that everyone who experiences pain or chronic illness should read. She was diagnosed with TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome) in 2007 and has lived with intractable nerve pain ever since. It’s a very easy read and covers the necessary topics for a chronic pain lifestyle manual, such as anger, acceptance, relationships, self-image, and more. It’s the way Sarah writes that stands out; she is accessible, not only because she’s lived it, but also because she can relate her unique experience to other types of pain and offer constructive guidance. My pain isn’t her pain, but she showed me that we’ve been in the trenches together. This talent always stood out to me in her columns for PNN, and it’s translated very well to book form. Since Sarah can say it better than I can, here is …

Contributor: Go Holistic for Pain Management

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The best approach for pain management, especially long-term chronic pain, is holistic. Pain-killing medication is avoided — as well as their associated side effects, such as an addiction to prescription pain killers.  Holistic therapies are often more effective, too. The American Society of Addiction Medicine states that, of the 20.5 million Americans age 12 or older who had a substance use disorder in 2015, 2 million people had a substance use disorder involving prescription medicine.  The holistic way is totally natural, and the benefits are far beyond pain management.  As the population ages because of longer lifespans, chronic pain has become a bigger issue, the most common of which is lower back pain, followed closely by migraines and neck problems. Less stress using a holistic approach The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) has advised that there is growing evidence suggesting complementary approaches are working for pain management.  Holistic therapies change the way the person perceives pain, and this can be as a direct result of reduced stress …

Contributor: Managing Chronic Pain in Seniors

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More than 100 million American adults have chronic pain, which is more than the total number of people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer combined, according to figures provided by the American Academy of Pain Medicine. As the population ages, the issue of chronic pain in senior adults becomes more prevalent. Pain management and awareness are becoming more common. One such venture is Pain Awareness month, which is run by the American Chronic Pain Association. Why Chronic Pain is Such a Big Issue In 2016, there were approximately 46 million U.S. adults aged 65 and older, with this number expected to rise to 98 million by 2060. Unfortunately, research published by the National Library of Medicine confirms that 50% of adults who live alone and 75 – 85% living in elderly care homes have some form of  chronic pain. Causes of Chronic Pain There are many conditions that lead to chronic long term pain in seniors; however, in a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics, they noted that there are four conditions contributing to the majority …