You may have read about a condition called estrogen dominance. This theory, proposed in a book called What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, said that the symptoms before menopause are caused by too much estrogen. That theory has not been supported by research, and estrogen dominance is … Read More
A shooting pain that takes your breath away. A throbbing ache that won’t let up. Tingling fingers and toes. Nerve pain comes in various forms and can be debilitating in many ways—depression, anxiety, and infections, for example. Our bodies contain billions of nerves that send billions of messages to our … Read More
Shingles pain can be debilitating for seniors. I experienced the effects of shingles several years ago, and it’s something I’d rather not repeat. I hope that sharing my personal experience will encourage you to get vaccinated or, if not, to recognize the symptoms of shingles early enough to benefit from … Read More
Diabetic neuropathy is a relatively common complication of diabetes. Some 60 to 70 percent of all people with diabetes experience some form of neuropathy in their lifetime. While the reason this happens isn’t fully understood, researchers think that blood glucose affects how nerves transmit signals in the body and also … Read More
From head to toe, nerve damage can affect any part of the body. The condition is surprisingly prevalent—20 million people in the U.S. alone. Half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, according to the American Diabetes Association, and diabetic neuropathy is just one of more … Read More
Gabapentin was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 to be used with other anti-seizure medications to control partial seizures in adults. It is classified as an anticonvulsant drug, although it appears to have analgesic properties as well. Gabapentin originally was sold under the brand name … Read More
Lower back pain is more common than upper back pain and middle back pain. It can develop because you’ve overstretched the muscles and ligaments of your lower back, or overtaxed them while lifting a heavy object. Its origins also can lie in simple wear-and-tear over time, but in some circumstances, … Read More
Spinal stenosis develops when the space around the spinal cord narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord. If conservative approaches don’t relieve spinal stenosis symptoms, many sufferers undergo surgery to relieve the condition. What Causes Spinal Stenosis? The most common cause for spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis, a condition in which … Read More
Over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills might seem like an easy fix for your insomnia. After all, who wouldn’t want to get a better night’s sleep just by taking a pill? Trouble is, many sleep medications may cause unwanted side effects, especially in older adults. So, many sleep experts encourage judicious … Read More
“My sciatica is acting up.” This commonly uttered statement refers to pain that starts in the lower back and radiates down the leg. It’s mostly annoying, but it can be debilitating, making effective sciatica pain management an important pursuit. Sciatica isn't so much a diagnosis as it is a group … Read More
