 What is pain medicine?Pain medicine helps ease chronic pain and suffering caused by disease and/or injury. Approaches to pain medicine can include medication, analgesics, physical therapy, exercise, biofeedback, or cognitive behavior therapy. When should a person seek a pain medicine specialist?Consider making an appointment with a pain medicine specialist when pain does not respond to the usual and customary treatments within a reasonable amount of time. What medications are most commonly used to manage pain?The most common pain medications are:
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?Acute pain comes and goes in a relatively quick manner. This is the most common type of back pain and is generally managed within a few weeks. Chronic pain stays with the sufferer for a longer time. Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or more. When should one consult a doctor for back pain?Consult your physician if the pain is severe and does not respond to medication or if you experience numbness around the affected area. Pain accompanied by weakness, fever, numbness in the legs, or weight loss could also be a symptom of a more serious ailment. Which are the treatments available for back pain?Acute back pain is typically treated with over-the-counter ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen medications. For chronic pain, your physician might recommend treatments such as Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation, physical therapy, and in severe cases of sciatica or cauda equina syndrome, surgery might be recommended. When is surgery necessary for patients with spine problems?Surgery is viewed as a solution only when more conservative therapy proves unresponsive or the patient becomes dysfunctional or experiences progressive neurological problems. How common is knee replacement surgery?Knee replacement is considered to be a routine surgery. The procedure is performed on more than 600,000 people worldwide each year. How do I know if I need a knee replacement?Knee replacement surgery is considered when a patient has difficulty walking or performing everyday activities such as getting dressed. It is also recommended for patients with advanced joint disease. Successful joint replacement surgery will relieve pain and stiffness, allowing the patient to resume many normal daily activities. How soon can I return to normal activities after surgery?Within six weeks after surgery, most patients are able to walk with a cane. Many begin driving seven to eight weeks after surgery. What are the symptoms for the presence of kidney stones?Detection of kidney stones depends upon the location, size, and shape of the stone. Kidney stones that are symptom free are called silent stones. Common symptoms are as follows:
What are the symptoms of BPH (enlarged prostate)?The symptoms of BPH typically begin gradually. Frequent urination and difficulty in starting and stopping the flow of urine are indicators patients should speak with a physician. The size and strength of the urine stream may also be affected. How will my doctor know if I have BPH?The physician will begin with a rectal exam to feel the size of the prostate gland. This will be followed by checking the urine for signs of infection. A blood test, ultrasound exam, or a biopsy of the prostate might also be used to make the diagnosis. How will my doctor treat my BPH?Surgery is considered the most effective treatment for BPH and is used in men with strong symptoms. This is also the best way to diagnose early cancer of the prostate. Surgery is usually done through the urethra, leaving no scars. What is sinusitis and endoscopic sinus surgery?Sinusitis is indicated by a swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses, generally caused by allergies or infections. If sinuses remain obstructed, the mucus can become infected, resulting in facial pain, thick nasal discharge, and nasal congestion. Endoscopic surgery is recommended to make repairs to the nasal cavity through a nasal telescope. What is balloon sinuplasty?Balloon sinuplasty is a tool used to treat chronic sinusitis. The physician moves a guide wire equipped with a tiny balloon into the nostrils, through to the area of blockage. The inflated balloon is used to gently open the nasal passageways. |
