Why do we feel nauseous/vomit when in extreme pain? : askscience

Nausea is what is called a non-specific symptom, which means that a variety of ailments can cause it to appear. Vomiting is controlled by the ANS in our brains, and thus is controlled unconsciously and involuntarily.

When we are in extreme amount of pain, your nervous system lights up and your body starts to mobilize a pain response. The most common type of pain, nociceptive, is the result of nerve fibers being subjected to a stimulus that exceeds its “safe” intensity. Nociceptive pain can be dived into a few categories, and the one which causes the most nausea usually being visceral pain. Visceral pain is most commonly described as pain that feels deep, distant, systemic, and sickening. Visceral pain commonly causes nausea, as this type of pain makes your whole body feel “off”. Also, since you are in severe pain, you are also most likely being subjected to shock, which plays a role in your sympathetic nervous system by causing organs such as the adrenal glad to release hormones which can raise HR, BP, and respiration. Shock can be caused by looking at a traumatic injury that has just occurred (yours) like a broken leg or blood, or can also be caused by the increased level of hormones listed above.

So here you are: in intense pain, with your brain hyperactive, while hormones change your basic life processes (BP, etc from above). All of these factors together lead to a feeling of sickness, aka nausea. There is simply too much going on for your brain to process things accurately and your body tries to protect itself. Vomiting has been a great way for our bodies to rid ourselves of harmful foods and poisons, and there is no surprise that when your body is in danger, this ANS response may be triggered.

Sorry, that wasn’t one of my most well-written posts of all time, as I’m on a time crunch and couldn’t locate any studies. OVERALL, the reason you feel nauseous and sometimes vomit while in extreme pain is because your body and its nervous system is acting on high alert to keep you alive, and by doing so they use many nerves and hormones to get the message to your brain that you aren’t doing okay. This influx of inputs can cause your ANS to respond with vomiting, making sure any pain is not the result of a material you consumed earlier.

Chronic pain – Illnesses and conditions

Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment.

Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation. But sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation.

Chronic pain can also affect people living with:

• diabetes
• arthritis
• fibromyalgia
• irritable bowel
• back pain

What is pain?

The brain and the nerves inside the spine (the spinal nerves) make up the central nervous system. The spinal nerves carry messages from the body to the brain to tell it what’s going on.

The brain acts like a control centre working out from these messages if it needs to do anything. It’s sometimes easier to think of how the messages and the brain combine together to form an alarm system. It’s the brain’s interpretation of this information from the alarm system that results in the feeling of pain. Sometimes the brain’s interpretation of these signals isn’t accurate.

We usually expect pain to settle down with time but sometimes the brain continues to send out pain signals. These signals can be hard to stop, are often intense and at times seem to come for no obvious reason. This fact isn’t always easy to understand but it important to understand that this pain is still “real”.

Pain is very real and can be complex. 

More about the causes of pain

How common is chronic pain?

Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 people in Scotland. It can affect all ages and all parts of the body.

It isn’t possible to tell in advance whose pain will become chronic. But we know that people are more likely to develop chronic pain during or after times of stress or unhappiness.

People can also experience chronic pain even after usual medical tests don’t provide an answer.

What can I do for myself?

There’s a lot you can do to help yourself and have a better life even with chronic pain. Simple changes can often make a big difference to the amount of disability and suffering you can experience. This is called pain management.

To help manage your pain, you might consider:

• Planning your day – Make a plan of things to do and places to be to help you keep on top of your pain.
• Pacing yourself – Don’t push through the pain, stop before it gets worse then go back to whatever you were doing later.
• Learning to relax – Relaxing can be hard when you have pain but finding something which relaxes you will reduce the stress of pain.
• Taking regular enjoyable exercise – Even a small amount will make you feel better and ease your pain. It will also keep your muscles and joints strong.
• Taking pain medicine – Pain medicines work better alongside a plan. Patients often say their pain medicines don’t seem to work very well.
• Talking to others – Tell your friends and family about chronic pain and why you need to do things differently at the moment.
• Enjoyment – Doing things you enjoy boosts your own natural painkillers. Think about what you enjoyed before the pain and introduce it back into your routin

Activity and exercise

Being active and taking exercise is a good prescription for managing pain. Knowing where to start can be daunting for some people with chronic pain as they often find it hard to do things on some days more than others. Don’t be put off by the word ‘exercise’ – any type of movement is exercise.

To begin with your muscles might hurt so it’s important that you choose a level of exercise that suits you. Learning how to ‘pace’ your activity and exercise can help. Most of all it should be enjoyable.

Walking

This might start off with walk up and down your path or a walk to the end of the street and back. A local park is also a good option, especially if it has benches for you to rest on along the way.

If you feel able to walk further, joining a local walking group is a good way to keep active and motivated. Some of these groups are run by local councils and offer different levels of difficulty for beginners and upwards. You can also find walking groups through Ramblers Scotland.

Dancing or moving to music

Dancing or moving to music, either sitting down or standing up (or a mixture of both), is a great way to exercise.

Exercising in the pool

You don’t need to know how to swim to be able to exercise in a swimming pool. The buoyancy of the water makes us feel lighter. This can make movement and exercise easier than on dry land.

Spend 10 to 15 minutes in the water to begin with. Slow movements are best. If you don’t swim take someone with you and stay close to the side.

Exercise classes

If you’d prefer to exercise with others, you can find out about exercises classes from your local sports centre. Classes range in difficulty so remember to ask what level of exercise each class offers.

Exercise referral schemes

Many health care professionals can refer patients to exercise programmes that have been designed to help people become more active.

These programmes are often based at local sport centres with specialists available to give advice and help to design an exercise programme that meets your needs.

Ask your GP or any health care professional about programmes available in your area.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

A TENS machine is a simple way of blocking pain signals using self-adhesive pads to pass an electric current through the skin. It’s a bit like rubbing the sore bit better or using a hot water bottle to provide comfort.

You can buy TENS machines from pharmacists, supermarkets or online. Prices start from £8.99 for a simple machine. You shouldn’t need to spend more than £30 to get a machine with 2 sets of pads and a fully adjustable pulse rate and width.

More about TENS for pain relief from Pain Concern

Dealing with stress and depression

When the body feels under threat it produces stress hormones that make us feel anxious and tense. The body sees pain as a threat and when it’s persistent or chronic, it can make us feel unwell.

Relaxation

Finding a way to relax can help to reduce pain. Anything which makes you feel good, you enjoy or gives you pleasure is a form of relaxation.

Hobbies and activities may have taken a backseat due to your pain, but it’s worth thinking about how to get back to doing things you enjoy. Anything that helps you to focus on things other than your pain is a good form of self-management.

Learn some relaxation techniques

Depression

Effective pain management tackles all aspects of your life affected by chronic pain – including your mental wellbeing.

More about low mood and depression

Pain medication

Pain medication can help to reduce your pain and keep you moving. In some cases they won’t be effective at treating your pain and can cause side effects.

If you’re already taking medication or have other health problems, it’s important to check with your pharmacist before taking any non-prescription pain medication.

Pharmacists are a great source of information about chronic pain and medication.

When should I see my doctor?

If you’re still in pain after 12 weeks, speak to your GP if you haven’t already done so. Your GP will be able to tell you the best plan for managing your pain.

What to Do When Work Stress (Literally) Makes You Sick

High-pressure jobs can create psychological stress that is severe enough to have physical effects, from chronic headaches to nausea to insomnia. Severe stress has even been known to cause strokes. If we find ourselves in the kind of job that is resulting in a hit to our health, we must take intentional steps to better our body and mind. First, try to identify the source of your stress. At the onset of your physical symptoms, write down what’s happening to you and around you. Second, make sure you’re getting enough exercise and mental downtime, voicing your concerns to others, and setting healthy boundaries. Finally, if none of these things seem to be working, consider finding a new job.

Alyson was 35 when she had a stroke.

The ambitious attorney awoke one morning unable to move, the left side of her body paralyzed. She was due in court later that day, so before calling for help, she reached for her phone and dialed her assistant.

The stroke was the match in the powder barrel. For days, Alyson had ignored the warning signs, including ringing in her ears, visual impairments, and exhaustion. Her doctors had trouble pinpointing the source of her stroke — after all, the vast majority occur in those over 65 — but they all offered their best guess: stress.

It’s certainly no secret that a high-pressure job can cause inordinate amounts of anxiety and tension, which can manifest themselves in myriad physical ways. Studies show that our brain and body have trouble distinguishing between the kind of stress caused by real danger (our house is on fire) and perceived danger (a boss with too many demands).

In response, they release hormones and chemicals to speed up our heart rate, increase blood pressure and stimulate our muscles. We become more alert and responsive, which is appropriate when we’re in harm’s way. But our bodies can’t sustain that level of readiness for long periods of time. After a while, they begin to break down. That can result in anything from chronic headaches to nausea and insomnia or more serious physical disorders, including heart attacks, hypertension, and, of course, stroke.

So if we find ourselves in the kind of job that is resulting in a hit to our health, we must take intentional steps to better our body and mind.

Identify the source 

If you’ve been suffering from a steady stream of stress-induced sickness, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source. Perhaps you’ve recently been tossing and turning at night or you’ve been fighting off regular migraines, and you can’t determine why.

Jen, a client of mine who works in academia, used to experience nausea and frequent vomiting on her commute. Her body was sending messages and warning signs, but she was misinterpreting them — as many people do. (We eventually pinpointed — and solved — the problem. More on that later.)

You and Your Team Series

Stress

To help identify yours, consider carrying around a small journal or set of index cards. At the onset of your physical symptoms, write down what’s happening to you and around you. Were you writing an email to a difficult client? Were you preparing for a meeting with your boss? What was your train of thought at that time? Do this repeatedly, for at least three to five days, and then observe any perceivable patterns.

Often, our discomfort can’t be attributed to a specific source; it is simply a result of a career mismatch. Such was the case when I was working a grueling pharmaceutical sales job. My flu-like aches and tense muscles led me to book regular massages, which were also painful experiences. It wasn’t a person or project causing this — it was the job itself. But it took a process of elimination for me to realize that.

Ease the pain 

What will make you feel better greatly depends on what’s (literally) ailing you, but here are three good places to start:

Work your body and mind. Researchers have often touted the ability of exercise to improve our response to stress. Working out acts as a stress test run for our physiological systems, according to the American Physiological Association. They communicate to each other, as they do when we’re anxious, becoming more efficient in the process. Meditation is another common stress-reduction technique, allowing us to improve mindfulness and objectivity. Consider trying this 10-minute, conflict-resolution meditation. Your employer may even offer ample opportunities for you to relieve stress through physical and mental activity. Studies show that many companies are investing in wellness programs to combat the cost of illness, especially the stress-induced kind. Do your research, and take advantage.

Set boundaries that serve you. I used to check my email before my feet even hit the ground in the morning. If I had received a disparaging message, it set the tone for my whole day. So I decided to make a rule for myself: No emails before breakfast. Take inventory of your own stress touch points, and set boundaries that feel right to you. Try removing your phone from your bedroom entirely, which can take away the temptation to check in early or late and allows melatonin to work its magic. (The light emitted from your cell phone, often called “blue light” suppresses melatonin and stimulates your brain as if it were daytime.) The National Sleep Foundation recommends no screen time one hour before bed.

Give voice to your thoughts. In my talks with clients who are experiencing significant work stress, I’ve noted that often times, an honest conversation with a boss or colleague can provide immense relief. Jen, the client who used to be nauseous on her commute, pinpointed the reason for her stress: a leader who wasn’t inclined to lead. She and her coworkers banded together and, with respect and clarity, presented their case to human resources for why this person should no longer be their supervisor. Human resources made the necessary changes, including placing that person in a non-managerial role, and now Jen loves going to work.

Is it time to leave?

If stress at work is causing you real, physical pain, and you feel strongly it will continue despite your best efforts, it might be time to go.

I’ve watched many clients seesaw when it comes time to make this decision, especially as it relates to walking away from a high-paying job. So I often run them through this very simple pro/con exercise: Make a list of all of the things work “gives” you, i.e. paycheck, benefits, status, but also headaches, insomnia, panic attacks, etc. Then analyze to determine if the health costs outweigh the benefits.

If the answer is yes, walk away. If the answer is no, remind yourself that staying in a job is a choice, despite its drawbacks, and there’s power in that, too.

Ironically, it wasn’t Alyson’s stroke that allowed her to reflect on what work was doing to her. The law firm let her go — an unwanted but exceptional event that gave her time to examine how work played a role in her stroke and what kind of job might help her avoid that kind of stress in the future. After an extensive rehabilitation, she’s able to walk again, is self-employed with her own law practice and bakes gluten-free breads to sell around town in her spare time.

Don’t wait to awake paralyzed before reevaluating what your job is costing you. You are the architect of your career and your life. Own it.

These Are The Best Nausea Remedies You Can Buy, Based On What’s Making You Feel Sick

Andrew_Rybalko/Getty Images

That queasy “I think I’m about to be sick” feeling is probably one of the most uncomfortable sensations there is. Exactly no one enjoys feeling nauseated. And while some people are more prone to this issue than others, pretty much everyone will have to deal with it at least on occasion.

“The GI tract is always in motion with normal contractions that help food to move in the right direction, and to stay down,” explains Jacqueline Mayo, MD, clinical assistant professor of medicine and assistant attending physician at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. “Nausea is caused by a change in the normal pattern of this motion. For example, you might have faster and more intense contractions of the stomach and esophagus, or a slowdown that doesn’t allow food to empty from the stomach as quickly as it should. “

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As for what causes this change, there are, unfortunately, a number of things that can factor in. Motion sickness, pain, viruses, bacteria, and even emotional stress can all wreak havoc on your stomach. And once nausea kicks in, it often goes hand-in-hand with symptoms like dizziness, headaches, vertigo, heartburn, and vomiting. (Suffer from heartburn? Here are 11 effective solutions.)

Of course, nausea caused by pregnancy and morning sickness requires different care than nausea resulting from, say, food poisoning or the flu (scroll to the bottom if you’re an expectant mother). Regardless of the cause, though, being nauseated can really cramp your lifestyle. Who wants to go to work, board a plane, or meet up with friends while expecting to hurl at any moment? To help curb this nasty feeling and get on with your life, we asked our experts to share the best remedies for nausea by underlying cause.

Best for motion sickness: Dramamine

Amazon.com

“Dramamine is an antihistamine and works partially because it acts as a mild sedative,” explains Mayo. Pop one of these tablets about 20 or so minutes before a boat ride, car trip, or any other situation that may provoke your motion sickness to avoid getting ill.

Buy now: $9, amazon.com; walgreens.com

Best for flu: Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)

Walgreens

You may be used to taking this OTC medicine for headaches, but it can also help with nausea that often comes with the flu. “It’s an anti-inflammatory that interferes with the effects of the virus’ attack on the body,” explains Mayo. “It can control the other symptoms—headache, pain, and fever—all of which may lead to nausea.” (Dealing with the flu? Here are 30 herbs that can help.)

Buy now: $8, walgreens. com

MORE: I Tested 2 Different Sleep Trackers To Unlock The Secret To Perfect Sleep—Here’s What Happened

Best for migraines: Excedrin

Amazon

If you’re prone to bad migraines, it’s smart to keep a bottle of these tabs on hand. Excedrin contains a combo of pain relievers and caffeine, which, Mayo explains, is well-known to be a powerful headache antidote. And if you can stop the head pain, you may be able to stop the accompanying nausea as well.

Buy now: $10-12, amazon.com; walgreens.com

Try these 3 natural headache remedies to ease the symptoms in minutes:

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Best for food poisoning: Pepto Bismol

Amazon

Unfortunately, when you eat something bad, you more or less have to wait out the symptoms—which generally last anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. But these tablets can make the process slightly less painful. “The active ingredient, bismuth, can help ease gas, nausea, and diarrhea as your body gets over the irritant,” says Mia Finkelston, MD, a board-certified family physician who sees patients virtually via the telehealth app, LiveHealth Online. Remember to also keep sipping fluids! (Here are some ways to tell if you’re seriously dehydrated.)

Buy now: $6-7, amazon.com; walgreens.com

MORE: 5 Herbs And Supplements That Can Seriously Improve Your Digestion

Best for anxiety: Tums

Amazon

Because your brain is closely linked to the nerve cells in the GI tract, it’s not unusual for emotional stress to lead to GI symptoms including nausea, says Mayo. Chewing a couple of these tablets can help soothe your stomach on rough days by neutralizing acid.

Buy now: $10, amazon.com; walgreens.com

Best for pain: Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)

Amazon

Pain can affect everyone in different ways, and sometimes it leads to queasiness. When that happens, nixing the pain should settle your stomach. An anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen will help calm down pain receptors, says Finkelston.

Buy now: $8-11, amazon.com; walgreens.com

PREVENTION PREMIUM: Wearable Health Trackers: Do They Work?

Best for pregnancy/morning sickness: Ginger tea

Amazon

Saltines not cutting it? Both Mayo and Finkelston suggest having a cup of ginger tea. It’s a natural way to help ease nausea, and it’s perfectly safe to use while you’re expecting.

Buy now: $4, amazon.com

Amy Schlinger
Amy Schlinger is a health and fitness writer and editor based in New York City whose work has appeared in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, The New York Post, Self, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more; The National Academy for Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) is extremely passionate about healthy living and can often be found strength training at the gym when she isn’t interviewing trainers, doctors, medical professionals, nutritionists, or pro athletes for stories.  

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Cavity Vs. The Common Cold: How To Tell The Difference : Dr. Raminder Singh: General Dentistry

Your teeth can be under a lot of pressure when you’re sick with the common cold or a sinus infection. Pressure from head congestion, infection, and inflammation can cause your upper teeth to ache due to your maxillary sinuses being close neighbors to your upper tooth roots. 

After contracting an illness, it’s not uncommon to begin experiencing tooth pain and sensitivity, which leaves many patients wondering if their teeth are sensitive because they’re ill, or if there is a dental issue that needs attention. Here’s how to tell the difference between a cavity and the common cold. 

How Colds Can Cause Tooth Pain 

When you’re sick, head congestion in your sinuses can put a lot of abnormal pressure on your upper teeth, which can easily translate to tooth pain. Your teeth may also be forced into a slightly off position due to swelling in your sinus cavities, causing misalignment when you bite down or chew. Allergies, colds, congestion, and infections can all cause irritation to your sinus tissue, which has a direct impact on how your teeth feel when you are sick. 

Sinus Pressure

Your body has several sinus cavities, and pain can emanate from any or all of them at once. If you have an infection in more than one sinus cavity, you may have additional pain behind the nose and eyes. Sinus pain typically manifests itself as a dull, continuous pain while the discomfort from an abscessed tooth increases in intensity. If you touch an abscessed tooth, you will likely feel a sharp jolt of pain. In acute cases, swollen sinus tissue can physically move the teeth slightly, changing your bite. The reverse scenario can also transpire if an infection surrounding an abscessed tooth travels to the sinus cavity. It is possible to suffer simultaneously from an abscessed tooth and a sinus infection, so always listen to what your body is telling you.  

Dry Mouth 

Nasal congestion is a common side effect of having a cold. This congestion can cause you to breathe through your mouth more often, which can quickly dry out your teeth, gums, and lips. Frequently coughing can also be a contributing factor. Since saliva is one of your mouth’s most powerful defenses against tooth decay, dry mouth while you’re sick can leave your teeth more vulnerable to plaque build-up and tooth decay. 

Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water when you’re sick to relieve dry mouth and encourage saliva production. Decongestants and over-the-counter pain medications can also cause dry mouth as a common side effect, so be sure to follow all medicines with a glass of water.  

Sore Throat 

A sore throat happens quickly when facing the common cold. Symptoms of a sore throat usually present themselves alongside other indications, including coughing, sneezing, muscle, and joint aches, fatigue, and a runny nose. 

Bad Breath 

Postnasal drip is excess mucus that leaks into the back of your mouth and down your throat. Colds, allergies, and bacterial infections are all causes of postnasal drip. When this type of excessive mucus occurs, it creates an environment ripe for bacteria to multiply, which gives the mucus an odor. If you’re experiencing bad breath during a cold, it is due to the bacteria in your postnasal drip. 

Ear Infections

Pain in the chest or ears can be a sign of an ear infection. The closeness of the ear to the jaw can cause you to feel pain in your teeth if you do have an ear infection and can be treated by a doctor.

If Your Cold Goes Away But Your Tooth Pain Does Not…

If your sinus or tooth pain does not subside and is lasting longer than a week, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away for an examination. Your doctor will be able to prescribe you an antibiotic to help combat any lingering infections. 

If your congestion subsides, but your tooth pain is still present, schedule an appointment with your dentist. A tooth abscess may be the cause of your discomfort, and tooth decay should be treated as soon as possible to save the tooth. Elite Dental & Denture PC is here to help you feel your best by keeping your smile as healthy as possible, so call us today with any questions regarding tooth pain and discomfort.

7 pains you should never ignore

You can’t let every ache, soreness or twinge worry you to the point you have your health care provider or local hospital on speed dial. But there are pains that come on suddenly or accompany fever that you should never ignore. Abby Cuffey of Woman’s Day and pain management specialist Dr. Houman Danesh of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York explain how to recognize when some pains, even if they seem small, need immediate attention.

1. A sharp ache between your shoulder blades

Could be: A heart attack

About 30 percent of people who have heart attacks don’t get the classic chest pressure. Pain between shoulder blades is common in women, as is jaw pain, shortness of breath and nausea. If you have these symptoms (you’ll likely have more than one), you need care ASAP.

A muscle pain is like a dull ache. A heart attack is more like a sharp sudden onset. Call 911. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. It’s better not to have someone drive you to the hospital. Wait for the ambulance because they are set up to do triage immediately.

2. A ‘thunderclap’ headache

Could be: An aneurysm, which is a balloon-like area in an artery

Most of us have experienced mild or moderate headaches — usually an over-the-counter pain medication makes the pain go away. But if you have the worst headache of your life and it comes on suddenly, call 911. Again, do not drive the hospital yourself.

How do you know it isn’t a migraine? With a migraine, you feel nauseous, are sensitive to light and sound and it’s a gradual progression.

Bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured aneurysm isn’t all that common, but when it does happen, swift action is key. Surgeons can save your life by sealing off the weakened spot. If you aren’t treated right away, you could die. The biggest risk is, if it does rupture, and you are bleeding into your brain, it becomes difficult to treat, if it can be treated at all.

Don’t take aspirin for such a sudden, intense headache — it can increase the bleeding.

3. Dull stomach pain to the lower right of abdomen

Could be: Appendicitis

The pain usually starts at the center of your stomach and gradually moves to the right. If the appendix does rupture, that can be a dangerous complication, with bacteria bursting into your bloodstream and infecting your entire body. If you feel this sensation, go straight to the ER. (Usually, it gets more intense over a 24-hour period as it shifts location.)

Usually with appendicitis, when pressing down on your stomach it doesn’t hurt as much as when you let go quickly. Another test is where you use the muscle underlying the gall bladder: Bring your knee to your head and have someone push down with resistance. If that hurts, that’s a sign of an irritated appendix, which would need to be evaluated further.

4. Tooth pain that wakes you up

Could be: Teeth grinding

Frequent clenching can cause the nerve within the tooth to become inflamed and the protective enamel to wear away. You might even end up cracking teeth down to the root, which leads to extraction. Call your dentist so he or she can figure out the problem. The complications from grinding, which is often brought on by stress, can be prevented by wearing a night guard.

There are a lot of people who grind their teeth at night. At your annual checkup, your dentist can tell you if you need a night guard, for example, as an intervention.

5. Mid-back pain with fever

Could be: A kidney infection

Don’t assume that your temperature, nausea and back pain are just a stomach bug. This condition develops when bacteria that infiltrate the urinary tract spread to the kidneys, making the infection much more severe. You might start with urinary tract infection symptoms, like pain during urination, but some people don’t notice anything until later. You’ll likely need antibiotics ASAP, so call your doctor.

Women are more susceptible to getting UTIs, which is precursor to kidney infection. If a kidney infection is untreated, your kidneys can shut down. But it’s usually so painful, people don’t ignore it.

6. Menstrual cramps that don’t get better with medication

Could be: Endometriosis

If over-the-counter meds aren’t helping, this condition — in which the lining of the uterus grows somewhere else — might be to blame. Endometriosis impedes fertility, and it’s common. Forty percent to 60 percent of women whose periods are very painful may have it.

Unless you’re trying to conceive, your doctor can start you on oral contraceptives. If pain persists, you may need to have the tissue surgically removed.

7. A tender spot on your calf

Could be: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

If one small area of your leg is painful, you could have DVT, a blood clot in the deep veins. The spot may also be red and warm to the touch. DVT is more likely if you use birth control pills or recently took a long car or plane ride. Unless your leg is very swollen or the pain is getting worse rapidly, you can probably wait a day to see your doctor instead of going to the ER, but don’t delay any longer. The clot could increase in size or break off, move toward the lungs and stop blood flow.

It can go to your heart and give you a heart attack. It can go to your brain and give you a stroke.

As a preventive measure, if you’re on a long car ride or plane:

• get up every 1 to 2 hours and stretch or move around.
• write out the alphabet with your toes on the floor. Take your toes up and down, left to right. As you write the alphabet you squeeze the muscles, the veins, and pumping the blood back up, so it won’t clot.
• drink fluids and stay hydrated.

RELATED:

Can I take even one pill? Your questions about painkiller heart danger

Related: Burning stomach? How to know when to call the doctor

Can Stress Make You Sick? Yes, Mental Health Affects Physical Health

• Stress can contribute to headaches, stomach pains, and even weaken your immune system.  
• Some research has found that chronic stress is associated with a higher likelihood of getting sick from the common cold virus. 
• Chronic stress, and other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, may also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and long-term physical illnesses. 
• This article was medically reviewed by Zlatin Ivanov, MD, who is certified in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology at Psychiatrist NYC.
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Psychological stress impacts many functions of the body, and it’s possible for your mental health to have an effect on your physical symptoms. 

According to David Cutler, MD, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, stress is known to contribute to headaches, stomach pains, high blood pressure, and even a weakened immune system.

Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between mental health and physical health, and how to manage stress in order to stay healthy. 

Stress can make you more likely to get sick 

When we’re stressed, the immune system doesn’t function as well. That’s because stress causes the body to release hormones, such as adrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, which can decrease the body’s ability to make lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off harmful viruses or bacteria. 

In fact, research has found that chronic stress can make you more susceptible to developing an illness, like the

common cold

. In a 2012 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers conducted stress interviews on 276 healthy adults and then exposed them to a virus that causes the common cold.  

After monitoring them in quarantine for five days, researchers found that chronic stress was associated with an increased likelihood of developing a cold when exposed to the virus.

How your body and immune system respond to stress depends on many factors, including whether the stress is acute or chronic. Acute stress is a normal part of everyday life. It’s how your body responds to threats in the environment, and it’s necessary for survival, Cutler says. 

You might experience acute stress when stuck in a traffic jam or running late for an important meeting. For the most part, this acute stress is manageable and doesn’t cause lasting physical effects. However, if you experience it frequently or are constantly under stress, it can become chronic and impair bodily functions like your immune system.

“If it happens very briefly, then goes away, there probably is no effect on your immune system,” Cutler says. “But if there’s cortisol being released chronically for days and weeks at a time, that very likely could impair your immune system. ” 

How mental health affects physical health 

When we experience a sudden onset of stress, maybe from slamming on the brakes to avoid an accident, our muscles tense up and then release once the tension passes. 

But when we are under stress for prolonged periods of time, those muscles remain tense, which can trigger headaches and muscle pain, according to the American Psychological Association. 

Chronic stress and poor mental health can contribute to a range of long-term physical health problems, including:

• Cardiovascular disease. The release of adrenaline when you’re stressed causes your heart rate to speed up and raises your blood pressure. Over time, this can put extra pressure on your heart and harm your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
• Gastrointestinal problems. Stress can cause a decrease of blood flow to the stomach, which can result in cramping, bloating, inflammation, and lack of appetite.
• Poor sleep quality. Stress can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, and not getting adequate sleep can exacerbate health problems and weaken your immune system. 

How to manage stress and stay healthy 

According to Cutler, prolonged stress is associated with many health complications, like a weakened immune system and an increased risk of

heart disease

, so the better you’re able to manage your stress, the better your overall health will be. 

“In general, people deal much better with these stressful events by staying focused on what is happening right now, rather than dwelling on what might have happened in the past to make things come out differently, or what the consequences are going to be in the future,” Cutler says.

Some proven ways to reduce stress include:

• Regular exercise. Studies have shown that physical activity can boost mood, relieve tension, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Just 30 minutes of low to moderate intensity exercise each day, like walking, can stabilize your mood and improve your sleep — not to mention the added benefits for physical health, especially in preventing or managing cardiovascular disease. 
• Meditate. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation can help decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and can also help alleviate some of the physical effects of stress like headaches and difficulty sleeping. There are many different types of meditation, but taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath can be a good place to start. “Whatever puts you in that mindful state of just accepting what’s going on, letting things go that you can’t control, releasing your expectations, and just being in the present,” Cutler says.
• Seek professional help. Working with a psychologist or therapist can help you develop relaxation or breathing strategies if you aren’t able to manage your stress on your own. Talk therapy with a licensed counselor can reduce symptoms of anxiety and contribute to long-term health improvements, according to a review of research studies by the American Psychological Association. “A psychologist or therapist who is professionally trained can help guide you through the process,” Cutler says. 

90,000 Alarm bells: doctors named early symptoms of stomach cancer | Articles

A number of signs may indicate the development of stomach cancer. These usually include nausea and vomiting after a meal, disruption of the passage of food, and a feeling of coma in the lower esophagus. In addition, a change in taste preferences can also indicate the development of this kind of oncology. According to the WHO, last year stomach cancer ranked sixth in the list of the most common types of oncology, while in general, about 1 million new cases were detected in the world. How not to miss the development of a dangerous disease and what symptoms should be paid special attention to – in the material “Izvestia”.

Perceptible Symptoms

There are several signs by which stomach cancer can be recognized. An assistant at the Department of Hospital Surgery named after V.I. V.A. Oppel North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, surgeon Rustem Topuzov.

According to the expert, with this cancer, nausea and vomiting after eating, disruption of the passage of food and the appearance of a feeling of coma in the lower esophagus may occur.Also, a person’s taste preferences may change.

In cancer, weight loss occurs at an early stage, and in severe conditions, gastric bleeding is possible. “If there are no other reasons for a sharp [weight] loss, for example, there is no malnutrition, anorexia, then we can assume oncology. Weight loss, I must say, is one of the signs, and not in the early stages, ”the doctor said.

Photo: Depositphotos / AndrewLozovyi

Recently, the symptoms of stomach cancer were also listed by British doctors from Cancer Research UK.So, experts noted that everyone who was diagnosed with a similar diagnosis had difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. When swallowing, they felt a painful burning sensation or even pain.

According to doctors, a sign of tumor development may be the feeling that food is constantly getting stuck in the throat or chest. Moreover, the symptom itself can indicate a number of diseases. Also, doctors recommend to see a doctor and with persistent indigestion. In people with stomach cancer, it can last for more than three weeks. In conclusion, representatives of the organization noted that a malignant tumor in the stomach can cause feelings of nausea.

Causes of stomach cancer

The main reason for the appearance of stomach cancer today is damage to the mucous membrane by Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacer pylori), a pathogenic microorganism that triggers a change in the cellular composition of the gastric mucosa, which leads to cancer, said in a conversation with “ Izvestiya “oncologist, doctor of medical sciences Mikhail Byakhov. The second reason is an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy diet, in particular the use of large quantities of canned food, sausages, noted doctor .

– The average peak incidence occurs at the age of about 60 years, young people are very rarely sick with this. Basically, this, like any oncological disease, is the lot of the older age group.

Photo: Global Look Press / Vincent Isore

According to the WHO, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.So, in 2020, almost 10 million people died from this disease. Last year, stomach cancer, according to the World Health Organization, took the sixth place in the list of the most common types of cancer in the world – 1.09 million new cases. At the same time, over the past year, 769 thousand deaths from this type of cancer were recorded.

As for Russia, as the chief oncologist of the Moscow health department Igor Khatkov previously reported, in the structure of cancer incidence, breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men occupies the first place in the structure of cancer incidence both in Russia and in Moscow. colorectal cancer, lung cancer and stomach cancer are quite common.

Regular examinations are the best prevention

At the same time, the first stage of stomach cancer may not have any symptoms, the doctors emphasized in a conversation with Izvestia. “Symptoms most often appear as early as the third or fourth stage. It can be weight loss, heaviness in the stomach, food failure, an increase in the abdomen, aversion to food, to meat products, loss of appetite in general , ”says Konstantin Titov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Surgery and Oncology of the FNMO RUDN University.

The most important thing in the prevention of the development of this kind of oncology is, in principle, not to ignore any pain in the stomach and refer to specialists. “ To begin with, if there are any stomach complaints – some unmotivated nausea, heartburn, stomach pains – you need to go to a gastroenterologist and undergo a gastroscopy. If gastritis or ulcers are found, it is necessary to treat and be under the supervision of a gastroenterologist , ”emphasizes Titov.

– There is no screening for stomach cancer, it was developed only for Japan, when there was a very high incidence of stomach cancer, it was partially used in South Korea, but in general it is not used in European countries, the USA and Russia, because it is very expensive and it is necessary to do an expensive invasive study for a huge number of healthy people in order to find this disease in a small part.Therefore, people should, if they have any chronic diseases, regularly visit a gastroenterologist and do gastroscopy at certain times to control diseases and in order not to miss any initial forms of stomach cancer.

Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexey Sukhorukov

For early diagnosis, the most important task is to examine absolutely healthy people, the simplest test in this sense is the analysis of feces for occult blood, notes, in turn, Mikhail Byakhov.According to him, if the result turns out to be positive, then the second stage of clinical examination will be gastro-colonoscopy, which will reveal at the early stages tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, that is, not only the stomach, but also the colon.

– Here the slogan is: “Do not be afraid to get cancer, be afraid to see a doctor late.” And in order not to be late, you need to undergo regular examinations. And the second very important point: if someone from close relatives has had cancer, then, as a rule, 10 years are taken away and from this age a person should begin detailed examinations. For example, dad or mom, God forbid, had stomach cancer at the age of 55, then their child at the age of 45 needs to have a gastroscopy at least once and see if there is a background for the development of cancer. If not, then you can do yourself an examination every three or five years.

Doctors have named the symptoms for which you should immediately call an ambulance

Patients have different conditions that require an ambulance call. What symptoms should you call an ambulance immediately, and when you need to go to the clinic yourself, said the deputy chief freelance specialist for emergency medical care, head of the emergency advisory ambulance department of the A. S. Puchkova of the Moscow Healthcare Department Alexey Bezymyanny.

“High temperature is one of the most common reasons for calling an ambulance. If we are talking about 38 degrees and there are symptoms such as a cough or a runny nose, then the patient should go to the polyclinic to the local therapist, and not to the ambulance. The fact is that ambulance teams are not entitled to prescribe treatment and write prescriptions. A higher temperature and a longer period of exacerbation are a good reason to call 103, ”Aleksey Bezymyanny said.

He noted that at the same time, people tend not to take some symptoms seriously, but they can signal an illness or a dangerous condition for health and require immediate emergency treatment. These symptoms include chest pain of a pressing nature, an acute violation of the sensitivity of the face or part of the body, speech impairment, sudden acute shortness of breath.

“Often with severe bleeding, loss of consciousness or heart rhythm disturbances, people experience fear, confusion, immediately call an ambulance for themselves or a loved one. And they do it absolutely right. After all, many do not know how to act in such a situation, how they can help, so as not to harm. But, for example, acute pain in the abdomen, accompanied by nausea or vomiting, is usually tried to be treated on their own, which can lead to more serious consequences. With such symptoms, every hour is important, you need to urgently go to an ambulance, ”added Aleksey Bezymyanny.

What is the use of arsenic in dentistry

Doctors in our clinic always provide their patients with a comfortable environment.We try to make the procedures less painful and faster, using various modern techniques and pain relievers. But, if the situation with a bad tooth was badly neglected, doctors have to resort to removing the nerve. This happens if the pulp is severely inflamed and treatment with other methods no longer helps. This procedure is painful and unpleasant, and to make it easier for the patient to endure it, arsenic paste is used in dentistry.

The effect of arsenic on the nerve

Arsenic has a necrotic effect on the nerve, pulp and nerve endings, that is, it essentially kills the nerve within a couple of days.The doctor applies an arsenic paste to the affected area and places a temporary filling on top. After a couple of days of exposure to arsenic on the nerve, the doctor can safely remove the pulp and unclog the canals without discomfort for the patient. Arsenic pastes contain anesthetic agents, so the process of nerve necrosis is also painless. The most common reasons for using arsenic are:

• Inability to use other anesthetics. There are cases when patients show an allergic reaction, or immunity to the effects of anesthetic drugs.
• Urgent treatment by the doctor on duty when it is not possible to postpone the procedure.
• Impossibility of using local anesthesia for health reasons of the patient.

How dangerous is the use of arsenic

Arsenic is indeed a strong poison, but only its derivative is used in dentistry. Thanks to the work of qualified specialists, the effect of the poison occurs exclusively on the nerve.The filling, which the doctor places on top of the applied arsenic paste, reliably protects against the ingress of poison into the blood or stomach. But the remedy is completely not dangerous only if you carefully follow the instructions of your doctor.

If arsenic is in the tooth for too long

Despite the fact that the content of toxic substances in the paste is minimal, the agent must be removed from the tooth within the time period indicated by the doctor. The consequences of long-term use of arsenic for a patient can be very unpleasant, for example, lead to the development of diseases such as periodontitis or periostitis.Exceeding the prescribed period of use of the drug also leads to an expansion of the zone of its effect, as a result, the destruction of the nerve endings of other teeth, burns of the gums. The installed seal can, of course, hold out for six months or a year, but this does not mean that you can postpone a visit to a specialist.