Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, is something that most people have experienced at some time. If you wake up in the morning with a dry mouth and a quick glass of water solves the problem, then it’s easy to cope with. But a dry mouth isn’t so easy to…
Category: Medical
Chronic Pain
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NICE Guidelines For Treating Chronic Pain Could Destroy People
In the UK, doctors follow NICE (National Institure for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines when prescribing medication or treatments. Patients can also refer to the guidelines. However, NICE has drawn up a draft of new guidelines for treating chronic primary pain. These new guidelines are shocking and could, actually, will, destroy some people.
I first read about the planned changes a few weeks ago when I saw this petition by a woman called Claire Swain. The petition will be sent to NICE and to the UK Parliament.
Medical
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How to Organise Medication and Keep it Secure
Do you ever have problems trying to organise medication? Do you ever worry about forgetting to take them or perhaps taking them twice? Have you ever had your meds stolen? Do you worry in case little hands find your medication?
It can be difficult to organise and keep track of medication, can’t it? Who hasn’t said at some point, “Did I take my tablets this morning?” With no way of knowing, you have a dilemma. Do you take your med, with the risk of possibly doubling up, or do you risk going unmedicated?
Awareness
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Searching For a Diagnosis: Chasing the Cure
Do you ever watch those medical dramas on television and think, “Why can’t my doctor be like that?” They’re pretty amazing, aren’t they? Patients come to them searching for a diagnosis and those doctors pull out all the stops to get answers. ‘House’, ‘The Good Doctor’, ‘Holby City’ – the…
Awareness
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How to get Help in a Trigeminal Neuralgia Emergency
Despite taking medication correctly, trigeminal neuralgia can sometimes flare to unbearable levels. Things that normally help, like heat pads and cool packs, might not work. Sufferers use coping techniques like breathing, relaxation and distraction, but the pain still soars. They haven’t been able to eat, drink or sleep for days….
Back Pain & Scoliosis
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Doctors – the Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous
Doctors – we all need them at times. Good doctors are there to help, listen and support us. And thankfully, there are many good doctors in the world. There are doctors who are always prepared to go that extra mile for their patients. But unfortunately, not all doctors are good…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
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The Problem With Being Used to Pain or Illness
It’s easy to become so used to living with pain or illness, that we sometimes don’t notice when something is wrong. For example, someone could have a dental abscess or an ear infection, but they think their trigeminal neuralgia is flaring up. Or a back pain sufferer might not realise…
Chronic Pain
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There is More to Chronic Pain Than Just Pain
Most people understand pain. Whether it’s from an occasional headache, a broken leg, or a stubbed toe, most people understand what pain feels like. But chronic pain? Not everyone will understand what that is like. When Does Pain Become Chronic? Chronic pain is defined by NHS Inform as pain that…
Chronic Pain
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How to Cope with Medication Side Effects
For many people living with chronic health conditions, medication isn’t optional — it’s essential…but, unfortunately, it often brings a few unwelcome side effects along with the benefits. Some settle once your body adjusts, while others like to linger. We can learn to live with them to an extent, but some…
Medical
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How to Manage Medication More Effectively
You probably know the script — meds for breakfast, meds for lunch and meds for dinner. It becomes part of the daily routine. But they don’t always help as much as we’d like, and they often come with side effects. The good news is that with a bit of planning…