Costco Connection - October 2011

health for your
MANAGING YOUR HEALTH
Take charge of your chronic pain
By Dr. Peter Abaci

THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE now estimates that chronic pain afflicts an estimated 116 million Americans, making it one of the major health problems of our time and one of the

biggest reasons people see their doctors or
miss work. Odds are that at least one mem-
ber in every family is dealing with pain at
this very moment. Chronic pain can affect
every aspect of your life, from how you
move your body to what you think and feel.
When you think of pain, you are likely to
think about acute pain, which is a symptom
of tissue damage and inflammation when
you first get injured. This type of pain often
gets better with a little rest and responds
well to medications.

Chronic pain is very different, because it is an experience that can overwhelm you for months and years. Chronic pain is a disease, and if you aren’t careful it can rob you of things you cherish most in life, such as your independence, health, family and career. Common causes of chronic pain

include diseases of the spine, fibromyalgia and arthritis, and it is often accompanied by depression, insomnia and anxiety.

To address chronic pain, you need to start by pursuing two main lines of attack. The first is finding tools you can rely on every day. This might include everything from stretches, special exercises and meditation to taking regular breaks from the computer; with practice and persistence, you will be amazed at what you can do. For example, recent studies have found that both yoga and tai chi are effective in treating the symptoms of muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia, and also that bed rest actually aggravates back pain while walking provides relief.

The second is making the necessary lifestyle changes to create your optimum health. This means reexamining what you do with your time each day. Taking time

out each day to focus on yourself is critical to developing an effective pain-manage-ment strategy.

Give yourself a break from computers and cell phones, and spend that time preparing a healthy meal, getting some fresh air and exercise or just having some quiet moments to filter out all of the nervous

energy running through your brain.

Your body will feel
better when you keep
it active, and your mind will stay
sharper when you lower your
stress. And remember, the better
you are at taking care of yourself,
the more effective you will be at
being there for those you love. C

COMSTOCK

Dr. Peter Abaci is the author of Take Charge of Your Chronic Pain: The Latest Research, Cutting-Edge Tools, and Alternative Treatments for Feeling Better (GPP Life, 2009; http://take chargeofyourchronicpain.com).

October

National
Breast Cancer
Awareness Month

THE BREAST CANCER death rate for women in the U.S. is higher than for any other cancer except lung cancer. Nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Screening exams help to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. The American Cancer Society recommends these guidelines for early breast cancer detection.

Yearly mammograms at age 40

• Give yourself an edge by having an expert read your mammogram. Doctors who specialize in mammography have greater expertise. Seek advice from family, friends and your doctor.

• Newer digital mammography does a better job than traditional film mammography in detecting cancer in dense breast tissue and in women under 50.

• Abnormalities other than cancer may be detected by mammography. If you’re called back for follow-up studies, don’t assume the worst and don’t let fear keep you from getting the right diagnosis.

Clinical breast exams

If you are over 40, an annual mammogram isn’t enough. You also need an annual clinical breast exam by your healthcare provider. If you are age 20 to 40, you should get a clinical breast exam every three years.

Breast self-exam

Know how your breasts feel normally, and learn how to do a breast self-exam. Your healthcare provider can teach you. Don’t hesitate to report changes such as lumps, swelling or dimpling to your healthcare provider.

Know your family history

Be aware of any cases of breast cancer in your family and the age of those relatives when diagnosed with breast cancer. Make your doctor aware of that

information. If your doctor determines that you are at higher risk for breast cancer because of family history, more or different screening exams may be required.

Men are at risk, too

Breast cancer is 100 times less common in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 2,000 new cases will be reported this year. It is typically not caught early in men and is harder to diagnose. Men need to be alert to feeling a mass in the breast area and should not delay seeing a doctor.