Here are Inflammation management strategies things you manahement start doing today to lower your body's inflammation level. Nerve pain explained External LinkNPS MedicineWise. External Link NPS Medicinewise. People who are overweight have more inflammation. Frequently asked questions.

Inflammation management strategies -

Relaxation and stress management techniques — including meditation and yoga. Cognitive behaviour therapy CBT External Link — this form of psychological therapy can help you learn to change how you think and, in turn, how you feel and behave about pain.

This is a valuable strategy for learning to self-manage chronic pain. Acupuncture — a component of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the skin. It aims to restore balance within the body and encourage it to heal by releasing natural pain-relieving compounds endorphins.

Some people find that acupuncture reduces the severity of their pain and enables them to maintain function. However, studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing pain is inconclusive. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS therapy — low voltage electrical currents pass through the skin via electrodes, prompting a pain-relieving response from the body.

There is not enough published evidence to support the use of TENS for the treatment of some chronic pain conditions. However, some people with chronic pain that are unresponsive to other treatments may experience a benefit. Your doctor or other healthcare professional can guide you through the best treatments for you.

Pain medicines Many people will use a pain medicine analgesic at some time in their lives. The main types of pain medicines are: Paracetamol — often recommended as the first medicine to relieve short-term pain. Aspirin — for short-term relief of fever and mild-to-moderate pain such as period pain or headache.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen — these medicines relieve pain and reduce inflammation redness and swelling. Opioid medicines, such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone — these medicines are reserved for severe or cancer pain.

Local anaesthetics drops, sprays, creams or injections — used when nerves can be easily reached. Some antidepressants and anti-epilepsy medicines — used for a specific type of pain, called nerve pain. How pain medicines work Pain medicines work in various ways.

Choosing the right pain medicine The right choice of medicine for you will depend on: the location, intensity, duration and type of pain any activities that ease the pain or make it worse the impact your pain has on your lifestyle, such as how it affects your appetite or quality of sleep your other medical conditions other medicines you take.

Managing your medicines effectively Always follow instructions for taking your medicines safely and effectively. By doing so: your pain is more likely to be well managed you are less likely to need larger doses of medicine you can reduce your risk of side effects.

People can lower the levels of pain they feel by: staying active pacing their daily activity so as to avoid pain flares this involves finding the balance between under- and over-doing it avoiding pain triggers using coping strategies.

Side effects of pain medicines Some of the side effects of common pain medicines include: Paracetamol — side effects are rare when taken at the recommended dose and for a short time. Paracetamol can cause skin rash and liver damage if used in large doses for a long time. Aspirin — the most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, indigestion and stomach ulcer.

Some people may experience more serious side effects such as an asthma attack , tinnitus ringing in the ears , kidney damage and bleeding. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs — can cause headache, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, skin rash, tiredness , dizziness , ringing in the ears and raised blood pressure.

They can also make heart failure or kidney failure worse, and increase the risk of heart attack , angina , stroke and bleeding. NSAIDs should always be used cautiously and for the shortest time possible. Opioid pain medicines such as morphine, oxycodone and codeine — commonly cause drowsiness, confusion, falls, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

They can also reduce physical coordination and balance. Importantly, these medicines can lead to dependence and slow down breathing, resulting in accidental fatal overdose. Precautions when taking pain medicines Treat over-the-counter pain medicines with caution, just like any other medicines.

Take care if you are elderly or caring for an older person. Older people have an increased risk of side effects. For example, taking aspirin regularly for chronic pain such as arthritis can cause a dangerous bleeding stomach ulcer.

When buying over-the-counter pain medicines, speak with a pharmacist about any prescription and complementary medicines you are taking so they can help you choose a pain medicine that is safe for you. It is easier than you think to unintentionally take an overdose.

See your doctor or healthcare professional for proper treatment for sport injuries. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any over-the-counter medicine if you have a chronic ongoing physical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes. Managing pain that cannot be easily relieved Sometimes pain will persist and cannot be easily relieved.

Here are some suggestions for how to handle persistent pain: Focus on improving your day-to-day function, rather than completely stopping the pain. Accept that your pain may not go away and that flare-ups may occur. Talk yourself through these times.

Find out as much as you can about your condition so that you don't fret or worry unnecessarily about the pain. Enlist the support of family and friends. Let them know what support you need; find ways to stay in touch. Take steps to prevent or ease depression by any means that work for you, including talking to friends or professionals.

This is due to its focus on fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, and limits on unhealthy fats, such as red meat, butter and egg yolks as well as processed and refined sugars and carbs.

Inflammatory foods include red meat and anything with trans fats, such as margarine, corn oil, deep fried foods and most processed foods. Limit or avoid simple carbohydrates, such as white flour, white rice, refined sugar and anything with high fructose corn syrup.

One easy rule to follow is to avoid white foods, such as white bread, rice and pasta, as well as foods made with white sugar and flour. Build meals around lean proteins and whole foods high in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread.

Make time for 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise and 10 to 25 minutes of weight or resistance training at least four to five times per week. Chronic stress contributes to inflammation.

Use meditation, yoga, biofeedback, guided imagery or some other method to manage stress throughout the day. Gray says. Your browser is out-of-date! Does your mattress make you toss and turn?

Shmerling says. Regularly missing sleep contributes to obesity, which is also linked to inflammation. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night is associated with reduced risks for many chronic diseases, including dementia.

Brush your teeth regularly. We're all supposed to brush our teeth twice per day, and floss them at least once per day. It's necessary to brush away the bacteria that can inflame the gums, lead to infection, and cause inflammation or infection elsewhere in the body.

Inflammation in the gums also is strongly associated with diabetes," says Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist in the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Go for a walk. Aerobic exercise — the kind that gets your heart and lungs working, like brisk walking — is an important way to fight chronic inflammation.

Exercise may also increase the production of hormones that help keep inflammation in check," Dr. We all need at least minutes of aerobic activity per week to stay healthy.

If you've been inactive for a while, start with a five-minute daily walk and work your way up to 20 or 30 minutes a day. If you have heart disease or are at increased risk for it, check with your doctor about your best exercise program.

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