What is PMDD? PMDD is short for premenstrual dysphoric disorder and is known as one of the most severe and symptomatic forms of PMS. Approximately ten percent of all women suffer from PMDD.

Both PMS and PMDD are troublesome and bring with them many symptoms that are at times unbearable. Many doctors in the past did not recognize PMDD and in fact asked, what is PMDD, while checking every related symptom up with PMS. Only recently in the last decade have doctors recognized the differences between PMS and PMDD.

Symptoms of PMDD are at times more severe and include extreme feelings of sadness to the extent of suicidal thoughts and contemplations. Sufferers of PMDD feel hopeless and uncertain. They often wonder what is PMDD doing to them. The causes of irregular menstrual cycles vary but the symptoms must be monitored. It is not uncommon for women with PMDD to experience crying bouts that include extreme mood swings, irritability and rage that affects those around them, severe fatigue and even out of whack food cravings and binging.

The causes of irregular menstrual cycles associated with PMDD vary. Some women have received relief from changing their lifestyle at home. By eliminating caffeine and caffeine containing foods like chocolate from their diets they have been able to relieve some of the symptoms of PMDD. Caffeine can actually cause women with PMDD to be more anxious and more fatigued when coming down from a caffeine high. When this happens the symptoms become exacerbated. Natural health food stores offer healthy options in the treatment of PMDD.

Hemorrhoidal bleeding can be a common occurrence if you suffer from severe hemorrhoids. Treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids and proper hemorrhoid care can make a big difference if you want relief from the problem. Hemorrhoids can occur both inside and outside the body and the rectum, and when they bleed, it can be both scary and confusing.

Hemorrhoidal bleeding can be treated at home, or if the bleeding persists and continues for a time, you may need to see your physician. The first step in treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids is home remedies, and there are a number of astringents that can clean and soothe the irritated and swollen area, making you feel much better. Aloe vera juice is a good product to use, and so is apple cider vinegar or witch hazel. The astringent properties will ensure no infection can occur.

Proper hemorrhoid care for hemorrhoidal bleeding can include ice packs applied to the area affected. This treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids will not only help heal and shrink the veins causing the problem and the swollen tissue around these veins, but it will also numb the area and eliminate pain and itching. Neem oil or another skin cream and moisturizing oil can be rubbed into the tissues affected by the hemorrhoids, and this will help keep the skin and tissues soft and flexible.

Hemorrhoid care can also include replacing your toilet paper with soft thick wipes that do not contain soap or fragrances. Always wipe from front to back and never rub or scrub the area roughly.

• Surgical mistakes happen more commonly than people think
• One in every three thousand surgeries will result in something being left in the body of the patient
• Here are the most bizarre stories we have been able to dig out
• To promote overall health, check out products like Echinacea/Goldenseal w/Org. Alcohol and Astragalus Organic so you can possibly avoid terrible surgeries like these..

1. Alex Mitchell of Massachusetts sued his surgeons after an Adept Med Fish was found still in his body after a routine hernia operation. The device is a foot long, and is made to protect the internal organs during the suturing phase. Mitchell suffered from severe pain, nausea, and vomiting, and had to have a second operation to remove the medical equipment. Jurors awarded Mr. Mitchell two hundred and eighty thousand dollars for his pain and suffering.

2. In Texas, a department of corrections inmate named Antonio Garcia had emergency surgery. After the surgery, six years to be exact, the man realized that he had a surgical needle still inside of him when he had a routine x-ray and the needle was visible on the film. A lawsuit was filed against Dr. Presley, who was the surgeon, and the hospital where the surgery took place.

3. In South Carolina, in the year 2004, pair of surgical scissors was left in a thirty eight year old woman after she underwent a hysterectomy. Experiencing pain, the woman went back to the doctor and then to the Emergency Room several times before ER doctors ordered an Ultrasound and CAT scan for her abdomen, and that is when the scissors became apparent. After undergoing surgery to have the object removed, she recovered just fine and the persistent pain stopped.

4. A forty one year old forklift driver named Robert Maxwell underwent bowel surgery at Skyline Medical Center, and kept experiencing severe pain and nausea for three weeks after the surgery. He finally went to the emergency room because the pain became unbearable, and doctors there discovered a piece of medicated gauze that had been left behind during his surgery.

5. A woman in Wisconsin underwent abdominal surgery for her appendix, and had severe discomfort for weeks afterwards. The pain started to dull down, and would come and go over the next few months. It was not until the woman went through an airport metal detector and scanner did anyone realized that she still had a large surgical clamp in her chest.

6. Daryoush Mazarei had lower abdominal surgery and did not recover well afterwards. He complained to the doctors and hospital about severe pain, and was told at one point to see a psychiatrist because his pain was mental. After a CAT scan, a ten inch steel retractor was found lodged in his abdomen and surgically removed.

7. Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland faced a lawsuit because of several items left behind after her surgery. The woman had surgery for a benign tumor, and the surgeon left behind pieces of plastic, sponges, and gauze, which was discovered six years later. The woman’s complaints of pain had been brushed aside by the doctor and hospital in the time since the surgery.

8. One woman in New York had a broken surgical scissor blade left in her abdomen that was not discovered for sixteen months after the surgery. The blade was accidently discovered after a car accident when the woman was given x-rays for a possible broken hip. The lawsuit was settled for one hundred thousand dollars.

9. At Jacobi Hospital in New York, a thirty eight year old woman had a cesarean section and surgeons left a laparotomy pad inside her abdomen. The mistake was discovered two years later when a sonogram was ordered for a pregnancy that the woman had. Surgery was required to remove the pad and this caused even more pain and scarring in her abdomen.

10. One surgical mistake which was settled for one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars involves a seventy two year old woman who had cardiac bypass surgery, and the surgeon left a surgical sponge behind her sternum which had to be surgically removed. This caused her to have an extended nine day hospital stay and extreme pain and suffering.

Sure, there’s nothing you can do about putting yourself at risk of surgeons making any mistakes while operating on you, except maybe not going to these doctors, but you can do your best to take care of your body. To promote overall health, check out products like Echinacea/Goldenseal w/Org. Alcohol and Astragalus Organic.

• A migraine headache is a neurological syndrome characterized by such symptoms as severe pain, nausea, a pounding in the head or skull-splitting feeling, and sensitivity to light.
• Changing your diet to avoid a potential trigger food can be a step toward preventing future migraines.
• If you’re not eating a good diet, Take One Multiple and Trace Minerals can help you get all the nutrients you need.

A migraine headache is a neurological syndrome characterized by such symptoms as severe pain, nausea, a pounding in the head or skull-splitting feeling, and sensitivity to light. These intense headaches have become more common in the last 20 years and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or race. It may be difficult to believe, but some foods can actually trigger a migraine. Changing your diet to avoid a potential trigger food can be a step toward preventing future migraines. Doctors have devised a migraine diet to help patients predisposed to this medical condition avoid trigger foods that may cause migraines.

Foods that should be excluded from a migraine diet will depend on the individual, and understanding some common food triggers can help you pinpoint which triggers could contribute to a migraine headache. Scientists and medical practitioners believe that migraines are the result of a combination of vascular and chemical changes in the brain, and that food triggers may cause these changes to occur.

Some foods that seem to have migraine triggers are those such as cured meats like bacon, ham, pepperoni, and salami. These foods contain high amounts of nitrates, which can cause a reaction in the brain that may cause a migraine.

Another food that may be good to avoid is chocolate. Chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine, and phenylethylamine. It also causes your body to release norepinephrine, which constricts blood flow in the brain by narrowing arteries and veins.

Aged or otherwise strong cheeses can be another common food trigger for migraine headaches, and may need to be removed from your diet.

Caffeine is another trigger, so coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks should be avoided if possible. This leads to a double-edged treatment, however, because caffeine withdrawal can also cause a migraine headache. If you drink large amounts of coffee or other caffeinated beverages, try to cut down slowly over time.

Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, should also be considered for elimination from your diet if you suffer from migraine headaches. Alcoholic drinks contain histamine, which can cause or exacerbate a migraine headache. Other common foods to take out of your migraine headache diet include hot dogs, lunch meats, citrus fruits, pickles, yogurt, sour cream, pork, seafood, and chicken livers, though the list could on and on. It is better to determine which foods affect you, and then eliminate them one by one from your migraine headache diet.

Many common food triggers for migraine sufferers have something in common: they contain large amounts of amines, such as tyramine, histamine, phenylethylamine and octopamine. Many scientists believe that intolerance for these food components are what can act as a cause of the food trigger and a subsequent migraine headache. Changing your diet to exclude any food triggers that are specific to your migraine headache condition can help you minimize both the frequency and the severity of your migraine headaches, overall improving your life function. It is also important to exercise regularly, get restful sleep, and drink plenty of fluids. Not getting adequate exercise, dealing with consistent and high stress and dehydration can all cause migraine headaches.

Perhaps your migraine diet is being caused by a lack of proper nutrients in your diet. Don’t worry, there are ways that you can give your body everything it needs without having to eat the foods you don’t like. Check out products like Take One Multiple and Trace Minerals which are natural supplements to help you get all the nutrients you need.

• Black cherry extract contains a compound – the same one that causes its color – known to reduce inflammation, including inflammation that leads to heart disease
• Research has shown that eating cherries can reduce the risk of developing certain types of arthritis, including gout
• Cherries may also be good source of powerful antioxidant nutrients
• other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium promote joint and bone health while reducing pain and inflammation.

Cherries are one of the most delicious fruits on the planet. They make tasty desserts around the holidays but can also be a tasty snack, as long as you don’t mind getting rid of the pits. While we know cherries are scrumptious in many ways, what many of you may not know is that black cherry extract can have some pretty phenomenal health benefits, particularly for people who need to reduce inflammation or what want arthritis prevention.

Background on the Cherry

Cherries have a long history, although their health benefits were not always part of their appeal. Research believes their cultivation probably began in Rome around 70 BC after the fruits or trees were brought to the area from Turkey. In fact, the word “cherry” comes from the name of a Turkish city – Cerasus. After becoming popular in Rome and in Greece, the cherries were exported to other parts of Europe. They were so beloved by Henry VIII after he tasted one that he ordered an orchard to be created so England could grow its own cherries since they were not being exported into that country any longer. Today, about 2 million tons of cherries are produced and sold every year around the world with the United States being the second largest producer; Turkey is the first.

Reduce Inflammation

One of the health benefits of black cherry extract is that it can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Cherries contain a compound known as anthocyanin which gives them their color. Research has shown that anthocyanins can help stop inflammation, a condition that occurs as a side effect of our immune system’s response. The chemicals used to fight off our body’s attackers end up triggering a series of effects that lead to the warmth, redness, and soreness associated with inflammation. To support the effectiveness of cherries against internal inflammation, a condition some researchers now believe may be a major factor in heart disease, rats were fed whole cherries in the lab at the University of Michigan. When the rats were tested for two markers that suggest inflammation is present, the quantity of those markers had been cut in half.

Arthritis Prevention

As you might imagine, the anthocyanins can play an important role against arthritis, too, which is generally chronic pain around the joints thanks to repeated inflammation in those areas. However, research is also showing that black cherry extract can be beneficial at preventing even the most painful forms of arthritis from developing. With gout, uric acid crystals start building up around the joints and cause a lot of pain to sufferers. The risk for developing gout can be measured by looking at the amount of urates (a form of the uric acid) in the blood. During a study of the effects of black cherry extract on those urate levels, the research showed significantly lower urate levels even hours after participants ate cherries.

Other Findings about Cherries

If you’re looking for a powerful antioxidant, you might not need to look any further than cherries either. Research is showing that the antioxidant levels in cherry juice, for example, was almost five times higher than the levels found in other fruits and vegetables, including melons and carrots. Studies have also found that these antioxidant levels are higher in juices and extracts from the cherry than in the individual cherries themselves.

If you struggle with pain from arthritis, black cherry extract is a great supplement for you to consider. If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium which promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

• Natural migraine treatment can include chiropractic care, which is very effective.
• Biofeedback can be a migraine headache cure when learned properly.
• A natural migraine cure can be eliminating trigger foods from your diet.
• One migraine cure involves changing to a low stress lifestyle.
• Icepacks and dark quiet rooms can be a natural migraine treatment to minimize symptoms.

If you struggle with stress as a cause of migraines, supplements like Ginseng Power Max 4x, Stress Assist and Zincechinacea Lozenges can help.

Using a natural migraine treatment is important to many people who suffer from this disorder. A migraine headache can become unbearable, and make the slightest sound or light excruciatingly painful. These headaches may be caused by stress, visual problems, certain medical conditions and medications, and other things. One frequent cause of migraine headaches is overexertion of the neck muscles. Your menstrual cycle can also cause a migraine headache, and these are usually referred to as a menstrual migraine. There may or may not be a migraine cure, depending on what is causing the headaches, but even if it is a medical condition that can not be cured it is possible to use natural migraine treatment to minimize the severity and frequency of these headaches. There are a number of natural migraine treatments that are safer, cheaper, and more effective than drugs used to treat these conditions.

1. Visit a Chiropractor

Chiropractic manipulations to correctly align the spine, and vertebral adjustments to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, can be a migraine headache cure and preventative. This natural migraine treatment ensures normal blood flow and nerve impulses to the brain and other parts of the area, and can minimize migraine symptoms and the frequency that they occur. Manipulation and adjustment of the spine has been used for centuries as a migraine cure, as well as to treat other conditions. This is especially true in ancient chinese medicine, and is still effectively used today by many to get rid of migraine headaches and keep them away. More than eighty percent of migraine sufferers will get relief with this method.

2. Participate in a Biofeedback Program

Biofeedback training programs are not medical treatments. Instead, training sessions are used to teach you how to control your involuntary nervous system, including your heart rate, skin temperature, blood pressure, and muscles. This allows you to relax tense muscles that contribute to a migraine headache. Biofeedback can be a very effective migraine headache cure that is natural and has no harmful side effects. This natural migraine treatment will help in about seventy percent of the migraine cases, but this method is not ideal for everyone.

3. Change Your Diet

Choosing the right diet is important for a natural migraine headache cure. Certain foods, and chemicals in foods, may cause migraine headaches or make them worse. Find out what foods trigger your symptoms, and eliminate them completely from your diet. There are a large number of foods that can affect this condition, and the foods which bother you may be completely different than what bothers other people with a migraine headache. Common culprits can include caffeine, chocolate, cured and processed foods, and many others.

4. Switch to a Lower Stress Lifestyle

Stress is a common cause of migraine headaches, and stress causes tension in your body which makes your neck muscles tense, and this is another common migraine cause. Getting enough sleep, exercising more, and eliminating stressful things from your life can help you prevent migraines before they even start. This natural migraine treatment adds the benefit of making your entire body fit and healthy.

5. An Icepack, a Bed and a Dark Quiet Room

This migraine cure is very common, and is also an old remedy. Place the icepack at the base of your neck and hairline, making sure to use a cloth between your skin and the ice. Lay down on a bed in a dark quiet room, and try to go to sleep. The icepack will help slow down the throbbing and pain, and the dark quiet room lets your senses rest. If you can nap that is even better, because many migraine sufferers report that sleeping makes the migraine go away.

Stress can play a large role in the development of migraines. For many people stress is an everyday part of life. If you’re interested in natural ways to help combat stress which will help combat migraines, there are some natural supplements that can help. Ginseng Power Max 4x, Stress Assist and Zincechinacea Lozenges can help you remain calm and hopefully help you avoid migraines.

• Cox-2 inhibitors were found to cause an increase in cardiovascular problems for long term users (i.e. heart attacks and strokes), it was reported that the risks for patients using these drugs were 2 to 3 times greater than for those who were given a placebo.
• There remain some very real dilemmas about which medicines may be best for you personally. The best decision can only be found in consultation with your doctor
• CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

After valuating the pros and cons of NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) for the relief of pain and reduction of inflammation lets take a closer look at an alternative type of drugs known as Cox-2 inhibitors. When first introduced they were considered an excellent alternative to NSAIDs since Cox-2 inhibitors did not appear to have the gastrointestinal (stomach) side effects associated with the NSAIDs.

However, in 2005 Cox-2 inhibitors received a serious set-back as reports of considerable risks for long term uses, were announced. The Food and Drug Administration Center (FDA) for Drug Evaluation and Research advised caution whilst prescribing Cox-2 selective agents. Soon after this one of the most popular drugs, Vioxx®, was removed from the market because of its associated health risks, this was followed later by Bextra® which was voluntarily withdrawn. The number of sales of Cox-2 inhibitors decreased by 75% following these announcements, and since then approximately only 7% of doctors continued to prescribe Cox-2 inhibitors for new patients.

Why were Vioxx® and Bextra® removed from the market?

The main reasons for the removal of these Cox-2 inhibitors from the market was that they were found to cause an increase in cardiovascular problems for long term users (i.e. heart attacks and strokes), it was reported that the risks for patients using these drugs were 2 to 3 times greater than for those who were given a placebo. The reason for the delay in identifying the risks with these drugs was that effects only became noticeable after 18 months use.

Are the remaining Cox-2 inhibitors safe?

The FDA decided that Celebrex®, another Cox-2 inhibitor, would be allowed to remain on the market with the proviso that it contained a “black box” warning about cardiovascular risks. However it is worth noting that at much the same time the FDA also recommended that all NSAIDs, (with the exception of aspirin), should carry the same warning to raise awareness of associated cardiovascular risks.

What should I consider when making my decision?

There remain some very real dilemmas about which medicines may be best for you personally. The best decision can only be found in consultation with your doctor. It could well be that there are some groups of people who may be at less risk with Cox-2 inhibitors than the alternative NSAIDs, for example those who are already taking treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Other important things for you to discuss with your doctor should be; the level of pain you are experiencing, what has worked for you in the past, and any history of stomach ulcers or heart disease, either personally or in your family.

So should Cox-2 inhibitors remain an option for me?

One medical practitioner on-line suggested that Cox-2 inhibitors should continue to remain an option for doctors, and that for some it could well be a better choice, for example if the patient was already taking aspirin for cardiovascular reasons.

On-going research into these medicines will continue to provide additional information which will help shed more light on this decision making process. In the meantime the Cox-II class of drug could remain an effective treatment for some diseases. It is important to remember, however, that no prescription in this area is without risk. Even ordinary NSAIDs are approximated to be responsible for considerable numbers of hospital admissions, and deaths each year.

If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium which promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

• Topical pain relievers are gels, creams and lotions that are used for relieving pain, primarily in muscles or joints which are close to the surface of the skin.
• There are three different kinds of topical pain relievers; counter-irritants, salicylates and capsaicin.
• If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium.

Topical pain relievers are gels, creams and lotions that are used for relieving pain, primarily in muscles or joints which are close to the surface of the skin. There is a considerable range of different products and it is best to consult a doctor before using them if you have any particular allergies or are already taking medication. Generally these products are available over the counter without prescription.

This article will seek to explain the range of options available as well as the benefits suggested by the different products.

What do I need to know about topical pain relievers?

Firstly it should be noted that there are three different kinds of topical pain relievers; counter-irritants, salicylates and capsaicin. Your choice of which product to use will depend on your needs as well as your doctors advice. Some products are a mixture of more than one of these.

1. Counter-Irritants

These offer temporary pain relief by mildly irritating the skin to produce a tingly sensation. By doing so they relieve the feeling of pain from your nearby joint or muscle pain. They are good for those people who are worried about side-effects of other medicines. Sometimes people are put off by the strong odor of such products. However if you like the smell of menthol and eucalyptus oil then you are in luck! Examples of such products are Eucalyptamint, Icy Hot, and ArthriCare.

2. Salicylates

These are used for reducing pain as well as inflammation. Salicylates are also a primary ingredient in oral medications such as aspirin. For this reason before using this type of product you should consult your doctor. Examples are Mobisyl, Flexall and Sportscreme.

3. Capsaicin

Capsaicin is an ingredient from cayenne peppers, which with repeated application can reduce the amount of substance P (a neurotransmitter) in your nerve cells. This is turn will reduce your sensation of pain. On use such products will be experienced as a burning sensation on your skin. However, the actual pain relieving effects may take several weeks to become apparent. Importantly this type of medication will only affect the nerve cells responsible for transmitting pain signals, so the sensitivity of your skin to touch will not be affected. Zostrix, Zostrix HP, and Capzasin-P are all example of such products, although Menthacin also includes counter-irritant ingredients.

Conclusions

Many people use such creams from time to time as joint or muscle pains arise. Others see them as an additional weapon in their armoury against the long-term pain experienced from joint problems such as arthritis. For those who suffer from arthritis these products should not be seen as a long term solution and are not intended as a replacement to prescribed pain relief. However, they may be useful for those times when pain seems to flare up. It should also be noted that topical pain relievers are by definition those applied directly to the skin and therefore will not be as effective as reaching hard to reach places, for example joints that are not close to the surface of the skin.

Sometimes topical pain relievers don’t quite give you the relief you’re looking for. If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium which promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

• Generally, painkillers are categorized into two groups: non-narcotic and narcotic.
• Your risk of developing an addiction to painkillers is higher if you have been addicted to substances, such as alcohol or cigarettes, in the past.
• CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

If you’re suffering from ongoing pain thanks to an injury, arthritis, or surgery, you may have taken painkillers to help you deal with the discomfort. However, before you start taking these medications there are a number of things you should know about the risks involved and steps you can take to ensure you are using them safely.

Two Types of Painkillers

Generally, painkillers are categorized into two groups: non-narcotic and narcotic. The non-narcotic variety are those available over-the-counter, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. You don’t need a prescription for any of these drugs. Narcotic painkillers are stronger and are meant to be used only under the close supervision of the physician.

While non-narcotic painkillers can be used in moderation with few serious side effects, they may not work for all types of chronic pain. In fact, if you suffer from pain for more than ten days, you probably need to take a narcotic painkiller instead. Of course, there are risks involved in taking these medications.

Potential Side Effects

Many of these narcotic drugs can cause mild side effects, such as constipation and dry mouth. Most also result in varying degrees of drowsiness so they should never be taken while driving or while operating heavy machinery.

More serious side effects have been discovered in some types of these painkillers. For example, the drugs known as Cox-2 inhibitors fell under fire a couple of years ago because some of the most high profile of these prescriptions were linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in patients. Vioxx was pulled off the market as a result of fears about this increased risk. Studies involving Celebrex have also linked the painkiller to a higher risk of heart disease but only when doses were higher than recommended.

Although Cox-2 inhibitors are now not being recommended for use in patients who have heart disease or who are at great risk of developing heart disease, these painkillers are now being used as a last resort for pain management.

Painkillers & Addiction

Side effects are not the only concern you should have about prescribed painkillers. While non-narcotic painkillers work by reliving the inflammation that is the source of the pain, narcotic painkillers work on the brain and the pain receptors. For this reason, these painkillers are more likely to lead to addiction. Any painkiller can be addictive but those classed in the opioids family are the most dangerous. These include codeine, oxycodone, morphine, meperidine, and hydrocodone.

Your risk of developing an addiction is higher if you have been addicted to substances, such as alcohol or cigarettes, in the past.

Safely Taking Painkillers

While there are risks associated with painkillers, they are sometimes the best or only option available for effective management of chronic pain. Of course, you should always start off with the lowest strength non-narcotic medicine you can then increase the strength of your painkillers as needed.

You should also take only the medication and the dosage that has been prescribed for you. Altering your doctor’s orders can increase your risk of addiction and your chance of developing serious side effects.

If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium which promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

• The bottom line is that alternative and herbal remedies are now being shown to have legitimate uses in the realm of pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are no longer the only options available to pain sufferers.
• While herb remedies are one of the leading sources of alternative pain relief, other alternatives are also believed to help patients cope with pain.
• CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.

More Americans are suffering from chronic pain today than ever before. The reasons are numerous, including increased joint strain caused by obesity and the prolonged sitting and standing postures most of us deal with because of our jobs. Along with this rise in pain comes the desire for more effective treatment methods. Prescription painkillers like Vioxx have been found to be dangerous, while others like Oxycontin are addictive. That’s why it’s no surprise that many people are turning to herb remedies.

The Findings of One Study

A study reported in 2006 in Canada found that certain herbal remedies may actually be just as effective in pain control as prescription medications. The study included a review of 10 randomized controlled patient trials in which patients were given devil’s claw, white willow bark, and cayenne plasters. The control groups were given placebos or Vioxx. The trials involved 1,600 patients who suffered from low back pain, and the trial was intended to only study short-term effectiveness.

While the study clearly indicated that pain sufferers could benefit from herb remedies, the physicians in charge of the review were cautious in recommending them too enthusiastically because so little is known about their side effects and because herb remedies are unregulated, meaning the products’ consistency is always in question; however, the studies do suggest that herb remedies may be just as good a choice as prescription medications.

Other Herb Remedies

Two products currently available include a combination of herbs such as ginger and turmeric, which help reduce inflammation. Turmeric, for instance, contains curcumin, which is believed to reduce pain for people suffering from psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both ginger and holy basil, another common herb remedy, are believed to have their own effectiveness.

Of course, arthritis is not the only source of pain in the human body. If you’re an athlete suffering from an injury, or if you’ve recently had surgery, another herb known as arnica is believed to be helpful. British researchers have found that when arnica was given to patients after a tonsillectomy, their pain levels were reduced. German physicians also found that it helped reduce knee swelling after surgeries or injuries.

Non-Herb Remedies

While herb remedies are one of the leading sources of alternative pain relief, other alternatives are also believed to help patients cope with pain. For example, many osteoarthritis sufferers have found relief from using Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Capsaicin, which is the ingredient that makes chili peppers so hot, has been shown to help reduce the pain and ache associated with muscle injuries and arthritis. Some supplements made from red seaweed have also been found to reduce joint inflammation. Fish oil may be one of the best known examples of these remedies. Recent studies in Scotland found that two-thirds of patients who took fish oil for 10 weeks as a treatment for neck and back pain were able to give up their prescription pain killers altogether.

The bottom line is that alternative and herbal remedies are now being shown to have legitimate uses in the realm of pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are no longer the only options available to pain sufferers.
If you’re interested in natural supplements for pain and inflammation relief, check out other products like CORALadvantage Joint Health and Calcium Magnesium which promote joint and bone health while reducing pain.