Feeling pain is healthy as it is the body’s mechanism of signaling that something is not right. In fact, people who can’t feel pain like leprosy victims are often at risk of severe injuries like burns. Normal pain is supposed to be momentary even while it is acute. Even in the case of severe injuries, the pain will last until the wound is healed. When pain lasts longer than a healed injury or condition, it is termed as chronic pain. Severe chronic pain can be disabling as it reduces flexibility, mobility, and strength. The number of people seeking chronic pain management tips keeps on growing due to a myriad of factors. Chronic pain affects about 100 million people in the country alone. What causes chronic pain? It has been found that there are two characteristics that set apart chronic pain from acute pain. Chronic pain lasts for longer than six months. This usually happens when injuries fail to heal properly, when there is nerve damage, and when the joints or bones are affected by injury or aging. Neurologists are of the opinion that chronic pain happens when the nervous system remains in a permanent reactive state even after an injury heals. This reactive state becomes a cycle as the persistent pain elevates the reactivity in an upward spiral of pain. Neurologists say this leads to a state known as central sensitization, characterized by pain spreading to other parts of the body in proximity to the affected body parts. Chronic pain is often accompanied by other physical and mental problems. Sleep disorder, fatigue, lack of appetite, and irritability are commonly observed in people with chronic pain. Some of the more common types of chronic pain include the following: Lower back pain Neck pain Arthritis Cancer Damaged nerve pain Psychogenic pain (also known as ghost pain) While the main causes and mechanisms of chronic pain are yet to be fully understood, people with the following conditions are likely to suffer chronic pain:

The knee is one of the biggest and most complex joints present in our body which is comprised of different types of bones such as the shinbone known as the tibia, the smaller bone that runs parallel to the Tibia is known as the fibula, the thigh bone known as the femur and the kneecap, which is known as the patella. Apart from bones, this knee joint is also a collection of different types of tendons, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments. The knee is considered to be one of the most injury-prone areas in our whole body, and that’s why most people experience leg pain behind the knee at some point in their lives. Sports and exercises can sometimes cause muscle strains, fracture the bones present in the knee joint, as well as some serious injuries to cartilages and ligaments. Some knee injuries gradually heal on their own over time, while some may require surgical treatments or other medical interventions. Whatever the case may be that’s causing a hindrance to your desired lifestyle due to knee pain, it shouldn’t be ignored. Thus, in this article we are going to talk about the major causes of knee pain, which are as follows: Leg Cramps A cramp is a condition in which people experience sudden tightening or contraction of muscles. Muscles present in the calves are very prone to this condition, but other leg muscles such as the muscles present in the back of the thigh near the knee can experience cramps too. Leg cramps are considered to be one of most common causes of leg pain behind the knee that mainly occurs during workouts or exercises. Pregnancy can be one of the common causes of developing leg cramps in women. There are several other possible causes of leg cramps that include: nerve problems in legs, dehydration, tetanus infections, the presence of toxins such as lead or mercury in blood and liver disease.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, 1 in 4 households in the country have someone who suffers from migraines. This number includes around 10% of all children in the country. Despite advances in neurology, migraine is a health condition that is still poorly understood. What neurologists agree on is that migraines are set off by sensory triggers. These triggers, however, differ from individual to individual. If one suffers from migraines, understanding the triggers is very important so as to avoid them and mitigate them. Some of the top migraine triggers have been explained in brief below: Food Foods with strong smells and flavors are some of the common migraine triggers for many people suffering from migraines. Dairy products, chocolate, and cured meats are the most common food triggers. Products that contain Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), histamine, and other common artificial food sweeteners and colorings are also common triggers. Food triggers are simple to identify and track. Ensure that one reads the labels on food items before buying. Changes in the weather Weather change is one of the most common causes of chronic migraines. Some of the factors that can cause a migraine are changes in barometric pressure, high heat, and humidity. This also happens when a migraine sufferer moves to a new location where the weather is different. Such triggers are difficult to avoid since the weather is uncontrollable. Common coping tactics include staying indoors in an air-conditioned room as well as scheduling activities according to weather forecasts. Stress According to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), around 70% of migraine sufferers cite stress as one of the top migraine triggers. For a good number of migraine sufferers, this is a vicious cycle. Getting worried about migraine attacks can bring on anxiety and worry which can elevate stress level and trigger a migraine.

An inflammatory lung condition which affects the passage of your lungs is called asthma. This condition is usually a chronic inflammation in the passage of the lungs. The airways of the lungs become narrow and start to swell, which in turn produce some extra mucus. This excess mucus makes it difficult for you to breath in a normal way and that will trigger wheezing, coughing and causes shortness of breath. For some people, an asthma attack is not a big problem as this does not disrupt their normal life. But for some people, asthma attacks are very common and that causes a problem in their daily activities as well. When you keep neglecting the problem of asthma, it can even become life-threatening as well. Proper treatments for severe asthma are very important and have to be done as quickly as possible. This is a condition which cannot be cured completely, but you need to make sure that you take proper treatment in order to control its symptoms and triggers. Causes of severe asthma The main and exact cause of asthma is not known, but there are many causes that trigger asthma. Based on the causes of asthma, the treatments for severe asthma are decided by the doctor. Some of the causes include: Excessive smoking Environmental factors like polluted air Inhaling some chemical or sprays to which you are allergic Breathing allergens like mold, animal dander, and dust Flu, cold, bronchitis or sinusitis and other upper respiratory infections Emotional stress Exposure to dry and cold weather Too much exercise Symptoms of severe asthma: The symptoms of severe asthma are more like mild to moderate asthma, but they are more intense and sometimes they are life-threatening as well. Some of the symptoms of severe asthma include: Shortness of breath, which worsens with time Tight and painful chest A severe cough Even after breathing treatment, the wheezing continues Difficult in speaking at a stretch Lips, fingernails, and face turn into blue color or pale yellow Even after using an inhaler, little change is observed in a severe asthma attack Difficulty in doing everyday activates Treatment options for an asthma attack Generally, it is termed as severe asthma just because it does not respond to any kind of treatments for severe asthma or medicine that is prescribed by the doctor.

Are you facing an acne problem even when you are in your 30s or 40s? Acne has never been just a teen problem. However, it is infamous for affecting young people. These days, various causes like an increase in pollution and rising stress levels have caused a surge in the number of acne cases in men and women. Getting the right treatment can help adults control an acne breakout. What causes acne? Acne is a skin condition that results in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, pustules, and a lot more. These unsightly blemishes on the skin are most prevalent in teens because of hormonal changes. However, adult acne is also a common problem. Acne is caused by a buildup of excess body oil (sebum) in the skin pores. This sebum is sticky, and so hair, dust, and other particles stick to it, causing raised bumps. The blocked pores can no longer push out the excess sebum or clear the skin of toxins by sweating. So, the dirt accumulates, creating a conducive environment for bacterial infections. Causes of adult acne While acne breakouts mostly reduce once you enter your twenties, you can still get it if your skin pores are blocked. People with oily skin are especially vulnerable because their skin normally secretes excessive sebum. Adult acne can be triggered by: Environmental pollution Hormone fluctuations Using harsh cosmetic products Using creamy, oil-based skin-care products on oily skin Eating a high-sugar diet Not taking good care of your skin Treatments for adult acne One can use medications, light therapy, and home remedies to treat adult acne. Some of these treatment options are: Adult acne medication For adult acne, you may be asked to use the following — topical applications and oral medications. Topical applications Salicylic acid-based creams: These creams give a gentle exfoliation effect, thus removing dead cells.

A burning sensation in your feet can have many causes like diabetic neuropathy, athlete’s foot, alcohol use, and so on. Identifying the cause is vital for focused medical treatments. Besides this, you can also try several home remedies. What causes a burning sensation in the feet? Many diseases and infections can cause burning pain in your feet. Diabetic neuropathy: If you have diabetes, gradually, your nerves can get damaged. This nerve damage starts in the feet. Damaged nerves may send incorrect signals to the brain, inducing pain sensations even when there is no wound or another injury. Heavy alcohol use: If you have a practice of regularly consuming alcohol in large amounts, then you can face nerve damage. Erythromelalgia: This condition produces a shooting and burning pain in your feet, without any recognizable cause. It is a rare disease. If you have it, then the pain can get worse after stressful activities like long walks, running, or standing for a long time. Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases like Lyme disease, athlete’s foot, shingles, and HIV can induce a sharp pain in your feet. Kidney Disease: Kidney dysfunction results in a build-up of toxins as the kidneys are no longer capable of clearing the waste and toxins from your body. Thus, this can result in pain in your feet. Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid results in low levels of thyroid hormones. A low level of these hormones can cause your feet to swell up and feel painful. Nutritional deficiencies: Vitamin B deficiency can cause burning pain in feet. Treatments for burning pain in the feet Depending on the cause of the burning pain, treatments may vary. For instance, burning pain in the feet caused by diabetic neuropathy may require you to keep your blood sugar levels in control by taking the right medications. Kidney disease-induced burning feet pain may be relieved by dialysis, which is a process that removes toxins from the body.

Chronic fatigue can have many causes. It may also occur without any identifiable underlying cause like a medical condition or illness. Identifying the type of chronic fatigue can help doctors design better treatments. Chronic fatigue Chronic fatigue indicates fatigue that persists for a long time and does not go away quickly even with adequate sleep and rest. Physical fatigue is the inability to initiate or complete any physical activity. Mental fatigue involves cognitive difficulties, inability to focus, and so on. Chronic fatigue can involve both of these. Usually, fatigue or extreme tiredness goes away after a period of rest and good sleep. However, chronic fatigue is not so easy to shake off. Medical conditions that may cause chronic fatigue Many health conditions like diabetes, anemia, and cardiovascular diseases can cause chronic fatigue. Diabetes: When patients have diabetes, they may experience a sharp change in their blood sugar levels, which may cause extreme tiredness. However, diabetic patients may also suffer from fatigue that is not linked to their sugar levels. Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases weaken the heart muscles and impair the heart’s ability to pump blood. Thus, the regular blood circulation and oxygen supply are affected, leading to fatigue. Cancer: Extreme tiredness can be a symptom of cancer. This illness can cause chronic fatigue, especially in the advanced stages. Cancer-related fatigue may also be a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Disorder of the nervous system: Patients who have suffered a stroke, or those who have Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from chronic fatigue. If muscle weakness is a prominent part of your chronic fatigue issues, then the cause might be a neuromuscular disorder like muscular dystrophy, immune neuropathy, or metabolic myopathy. Anemia: Anemia is a principal cause of chronic fatigue. In this condition, a patient has a low red blood cells count.

Certain underlying diseases, as well as one’s lifestyle, are the primary causes of constipation. Therefore, before opting for any treatment, one needs to understand the root cause by visiting a physician. Causes of constipation Excessive absorption of water by the colon is one of the primary causes of constipation. Poor or slow contraction of the colonic muscles may be the trigger for slow stool movements of and greater water loss. Here are some other factors that may lead to this problem: Insufficient fiber in the diet People who have a fiber-rich diet consisting of fruits, whole grains as well as vegetables in sufficient quantities are less prone to constipation. Fiber ensures that the patient has regular bowel movements. Thus, one can prevent constipation by making modifications to their diet. It is advisable to avoid food with low fiber content like eggs, meat, and cheese. Lack of physical activity When people are inactive for long periods, which occurs in the case of old people, there is a possibility of constipation. When people are bed-ridden for a prolonged period such as for weeks or months after hospitalization, there is an increased risk of constipation. Usually, seniors live a sedentary life without much physical activity. Therefore, they are at a higher risk of constipation as compared to younger, and more active people. Medications Constipation is a common side effect of taking some medications. These include narcotics like codeine, hydromorphone or oxycodone for pain relief. Amitriptyline, an antidepressant can also be responsible for constipation. Constipation can also occur due to anticonvulsant medications like phenytoin or carbamazepine, taken in the form of an iron supplement. Calcium channel blockers like diltiazem or nifedipine can trigger constipation. Certain antacids like Amphojel or Basaljel which contain aluminum could be responsible for constipation. Diuretics like chlorothiazide could also trigger constipation.

When it comes to chronic pain conditions, nothing is as debilitating and widespread as fibromyalgia. It is a condition that causes pain throughout the body and increases your sensitivity to pain as well. Besides that, general fatigue, sleep problems, and appetite fluctuations are some of the side-effects of the condition. Despite the fact that around 10 million people in the country suffer from the condition, and though a huge amount of research is available on the subject, the causes of fibromyalgia are still not well understood. As of now, there is ongoing research about the possible factors involved in the onset of fibromyalgia and the risk factors that may increase one’s likelihood of suffering from this condition. Understanding fibromyalgia The condition is pretty simple since it operates on the basic principle of pain detection. Nothing is as sensitive to pain as your brain is, and this is what leads to fibromyalgia. People who have fibromyalgia have more pain receptors that carry pain signals to the brain. On the flip side, cells that reduce the pain receptors from reaching the brain continuously or those that slow down this signaling, are fewer in number. Thus, a single bump feels like stabbing, and things that shouldn’t cause any pain at all lead to a numbing, painful sensation. Either way, the patient’s pain signals are all awry and off the charts most of the time. It is quite difficult to understand the factors that lead to this condition. However, here are some causes that may lead to fibromyalgia: Genetics Seeing as how fibromyalgia runs in families, it isn’t strange to suspect that a patient’s genes play a vital role. Women with a relative suffering from fibromyalgia are more likely to suffer from this condition themselves. Perhaps, there is a gene that causes hypersensitivity to pain.