More people are thought to suffer from chronic pain globally than those diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease and cancer put together. Women are in the majority when it comes to people living with chronic pain.
Hormonal changes, reproductive status and menstrual cycle impact a woman’s pain threshold as well as her perception of pain.
Some of the pain related conditions women experience include:
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)
- Migraines and headaches
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Many women can have several of these pain conditions simultaneously.
Sadly, pain can be misdiagnosed or minimized which can make women suffer unnecessarily. Oftentimes medical tests are done, but the results can be inconclusive. Pain is not always measurable, and many women look “fine” so it can be difficult to get the help they need, but the cycle of pain has damaging effects which can create anxiety or more pain.
Pain management medications can often cause significant side effects and can drastically reduce functionality.
They may alleviate some of the pain, but can result in the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Itchy skin
- Sweating
- Immune suppression
- Drug tolerance – more of the drug is necessary to produce the same effect
- Addiction / withdrawal / rebound pain
To help alleviate pain some natural remedies can be very effective with little to no side effects.
Natural remedies include:
- Willow Bark
- Curcumin
- Devil’s Claw
- Boswelia
- Magnesium oil / Epsom salts baths
- Heat / Ice packs with Tiger Balm
- Bio-Soothe gel with MSM, menthol and camphor
- Essential Oils (Peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary)
Also, following an anti-inflammatory diet can be helpful. Foods that can exacerbate inflammation include:
- The nightshade vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber & peppers
- Citrus fruits
- Sugar
- Refined carbohydrates
- Wheat products
- Dairy products
- Caffeine – especially for headache and migraine sufferers (can cause rebound headaches)
Listen to my interview with Brad Kirsten from Radio Cape Pulpit on 28 October 2021 to learn more. Listen to my next interview on Thursday at 7.45am