More about incontinence and treatments

What does incontinence mean?

Incontinence means loss of control over the process of voluntary urination. It is the inability to sense the flow of urine in the bladder till the time the person is in the condition to pass urine.

What are the reasons?

There are varied reasons as to why incontinence can occur in an individual. The age of a person has no relevance with his incontinence issue. The causes that lead to incontinence could range from physiological to psychological and neurological to pathological.That is the reason why it is so important to always diagnose the correct cause. Proper diagnoses will help in proper control over urination otherwise the patients will never get satisfaction and incontinence will remain a part of their life, always creating embarrassing situations.

What treatments can be given?

After appropriate identification of the cause, the treatments will vary from medication and retraining to surgery. At times, just simple changes in one’s daily activities will help in overcoming the problem of incontinence. Changes include changes in daily routine activities, hygiene conditions, and even food habits if required. Patients in the initial stages have benefited from this treatment of incontinence.However, each time the treatment procedure is not as simple as this one. 

Neuropathic pain treatment

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition arising as a direct sequence of damage or injury to the somato sensory system that is the integrated functioning of nerves which are responsible for carrying sensations from the various body parts to brain and in turn deliver motor impulses so that the body parts can perform an activity.

In cases where there is a potential injury to the nerve, the nerve fibers send incorrect stimulus to the brain which give rise to production of chemical irritants and pain producing receptors. This kind of pain generated is referred to as neuropathic pain.

What are the clinical features of neuropathy?

Sharp pain

There is a prolonged discomfort and patient describes it as stabbing or shooting pain all the way down till fingers or toes and especially that the pain is like an ‘electric shock’.

Tingling

The patient experiences pins and needles kind of sensation and the area may get numb.

Allodynia

Pain is produced even by lightest stimuli like a simple touch.

Possible options for neuropathic foot pain relief

What does foot neuropathy means?

Foot neuropathy in simpler terms describes a painful condition of foot arising primarily due to relative damage of the sensory and motor nerves of the foot. These nerves form a pathway between peripheral areas and spinal cord. Misfiring or disruption of signals anywhere between this affects the functions of the foot. An altogether different branch of science has evolved with thorough professionals who only deal with pain relief for patients suffering from foot neuropathy.

Common causative factors

•          Post hip surgery or spinal surgery.
•          Disc bulges at L-4, L-5 levels leading to sciatic nerve compression.
•          Trauma to the knee or hip by external sources.
•          Alcohol intake.
•          Overweight, leading to nerve compression by fatty tissues.
•          Diabetic for long time
•          Herpes zoster infection causing nerve claudications.
•          Radiation therapy in cancer patients.

Clinical features of foot neuropathy

There is a visible loss of motor functions of foot and the patient becomes highly sensitive to temperature and pain. In extreme cases the sensation may be completely lost.  Sometimes the foot may simply drop down as the calf muscles overpower the weak shin muscles.  The ankle jerks and knee jerks are often found reduced and there could be muscle contractions which are beyond patient’s control.

Persistent pins and needles kind of sensation is experienced by the patient and the foot may get numb. Along with these, skin and nail color changes have been noticed many a times. Balance problems may be there when eyes are closed due to lack of co ordination between brain and peripheral nervous system.

Understanding Ankle Pains and Injuries

The ankle bears the entire body weight and when there is a ligament tear or a fracture then ankle pain can be very severe. Injury to the bone can be caused by an accident or a fall. Breaking of ankle cartilage is also a common cause of pain. In some cases, calcium loss or calcium deficiency is linked to pain. Arthritis of the ankle is painful too. If any kind of pain is felt in the surrounding area, then appropriate care must be taken.  Since injury to the ligament is very painful, it takes some time to heal.  This swelling or pain in the tendons is called tendonitis.   Ankle pain can also be attributed to a fracture or a sprain. If this is the case then there is an immediate need to diagnose and treat the pain. For special care and effective treatment for ankle injuries, visit the pain center specialists at New Jersey.

Understanding ankle pain

The root cause of the pain has to be treated well. A certain type of fall or a ligament tear must have triggered the problem. Consulting an orthopedician is very important so that all the facts are clarified early, including any prior history of pain, which must be treated.   During severe pain, especially while sleeping or while resting must be corrected and adequate care must be taken.  Regular pain in the ankle can also be attributed to a new exercise regime or a dance ritual where awkward movements may result in pain.

Arthritis can also be the main cause of ankle pain. Hence, all reports and x-rays must be validated on time.  Unusual movements or jolts can cause pain, which sometimes subsides with adequate rest. Medication is advised and bandages must be worn only after consulting with a doctor.

Knee pain and osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

The word arthritis means joint inflammation. There are many types of arthritis among which osteoarthritis is the commonest. Knee being a weight bearing joint is commonly affected by osteoarthritis. The joint is usually stable until the disease reaches a stage when knee becomes enlarged and swollen. Hence knee pain and osteoarthritis are bound to be interrelated.

Risk Factors of osteoarthritis

The following are the important risk factors of osteoarthritis

•          Females are more affected than males.
•          Occurs more in age group 55 years and above.
•          Obesity increases the risks.
•          Occupation which involves more weight bearing is at a greater risk.
•          Sports activity
•          Previous injury of the knee joint.
•          Genetic factors.
•          Calcium crystal deposition diseases like gout.

Ruptured Disc Problems and Treatments

We come across the word ‘disc’ many a time in our day today life in different aspects However, do we pause to think about how important a disc or disk can be for us? It might be a computer disk or a spinal disc, but both these are equally important. If you ask any patient who has suffered from a herniated disc problem about the value of a disc, then you will have your answer. 

The spinal disc in mammals forms a very important component of the movement support system. The disc acts like a cushion between your vertebrae. It consists of a center which is very soft like jelly and an exterior that is tough. If the exterior gets a crack, the soft inner substance leaks out. The crack can occur because of disease, trauma,or even aging. This can agitate the surrounding nerves and initiate intense pain. Also, the area of the disk which is affected may be in the neck, the lumbar region, or the cervical region. Such degeneration of the spinal disc is known as Ruptured Disc, the treatment for which is at its best at the laser spine surgical centers in Houston, TX.

Know more about dental implants

A good set of teeth is a sign of good health.A growing number of people have started opting for dental implants since even a single missing tooth can cause health problems.The orthodontist will explain the complete procedure and detailed plan. Before the treatment, you should inform your doctor about any allergies that you may have. During the treatment, a local anesthesia is used to numb the area so that there is no pain. A titanium metal, involving an anchor, is used for the procedure. This is a wait and watch procedure wherein the bone growth is monitored. Till then a temporary tooth is used. It is essential that the growth of the bone and the gum joint is done well so that the final implant is firm. A ceramic cover is later done with screws. Dental implants help improve one’s gum health.  It also boosts confidence and certainly gives you a reason to smile.

What possible complications are felt during a tooth implant

Any queries and concerns that you may have can be presented to the orthodontist. You should also confirm your allergies to specific medications. There maybe cosmetic problems and bruises around the cheek or the inner cheek area are common problems. There is also the risk of a loose bone which can cause severe problems including shaking gums. Sometimes the case may get more serious due to a very loose screw and a bridging that is gone wrong. But there is decreased risk when the orthodontist is experienced and with a valid license.Accident cases where the tooth has been injured need an extensive healing period and other essential healing of the facial tissues and jaw or muscles must be accounted for prior to a tooth implant.