Obesity and Pain – How are they Related?

December 2, 2013May 24, 2017 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Many people who have pain are also obese. A common question in these cases is which came first – the obesity or the pain? Additionally, will solving one issue make the other go away?

The answer is not simple, but both of these subjects are much related. Obesity is a severe problem in developed countries like the USA. Obese people stress the body, and develop pain in areas like the back and leg joints. Having pain in the low back, or joints, and being obese does not mean that losing weight will resolve the problem since permanent injury may already be present.

Problems Associated with Obesity

Obesity is a primary problem affecting a large segment of society. Treatment is varied – one single strategy will not work for everyone. Obesity can lead to many health problems that cause pain like:

Diabetes
Vascular Disease
Early Osteoarthritis
Degenerative Arthritis

Treating obesity before these problems occur is important. Once permanent damage to the body is done, reversing the injury is often impossible and treatment can only be aimed at symptom management. If you are obese, work with medical professionals to bring your weight under control to prevent permanent side effects.

Obesity & Low Back Pain

Having low back pain and obesity often makes symptoms worse. Being overweight by 50 pounds is like constantly carrying 5 one-gallon jugs of water with you 24 hours a day without ever having a break. However, low back pain is often related to permanent changes in the lumbar region including the joints, discs, and bones. Losing weight will not reverse the permanent changes present but may allow easier pain management.

Joint pain, especially degeneration of the knees and hips occurs with obesity. Increased weight is a common factor that promotes increased wear and tear on the knees and hips. Once the damage has occurred, the changes are usually permanent. Weight loss will make the symptoms more manageable, but will often not cure degeneration that has occurred.

Obesity is a major health issue. If it were easy to solve, then we would not be facing such challenges in society today. Treating obesity early helps reduce secondary problems such as pain. But solving obesity will often not solve a pain problem. Keeping healthy, strong, and mobile will make many things better, and hopefully decrease obesity and pain.

4 Foods that Decrease Pain (and 3 that Increase Pain)

November 27, 2013June 24, 2014 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Food is an everyday part of our lives. But many people are so busy with work, school, and other things that they don’t think much about what they are eating. With obesity rates at such high levels, Americans are becoming more and more aware of the foods they consume. But food doesn’t just impact your weight – some foods can increase or decrease pain levels and inflammation in the body. Here we will examine a handful of foods on both sides of the aisle – those that can increase pain, and those that help fight pain.

Foods that Increase Pain

Here are some foods to avoid if you are experiencing inflammation or pain:

Soda, or “pop” as it’s known in Minnesota, is loaded with sugar that can increase inflammation, rot your teeth, etc.
Salt. Most processed foods contain a LOT of salt for preservation purposes. But too much salt can lead to joint inflammation and pain. So read the labels carefully, paying attention to the sodium levels of the foods you buy.
Corn Oil. It’s high in omega-6 fatty acids that can spark inflammation.

While it may be difficult to cut out these items from your diet, there are much better, healthier alternatives that can even reduce your pain.

Foods for Pain Relief

Here are some foods that can help relieve pain:

Olive Oil. Compared to corn oil, olive oil has omega-3 fatty acids that can actually help reduce inflammation, and has been shown to help people with arthritis.
Garlic. Several studies have shown that the antioxidants in garlic can help relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.
Salmon is loaded with antioxidants and protein, as well as fatty acids that can decrease joint pain.
Ginger. This root has been used to relieve pain for thousands of years. A recent study found that it might be just as effective as some NSAIDs in relieving pain.

The food you eat has a great impact on your bodily health. So remember to be conscious of your food choices, especially if you are in pain.

Top 4 Pains you Should Never Ignore

November 21, 2013June 24, 2014 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Everyone experiences and deals with pain in their own way. Some people rush to the emergency room every time they get a headache, while others refuse to see a doctor when they are clearly experiencing great pain. Ideally, you should strive to strike a balance between these two extremes. Toughing it out through certain types of pain can be dangerous (and even deadly).

Here are four pains that you should never ignore. If you are experiencing any of these pains, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Chest Pain

Pain in your chest can be a sign of many things, including:

Heart Attack
Heart Disease
And more

It could also just be the worst heartburn of your life, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution considering the deadly possibilities.

Severe Stomach or Abdominal Pain

Intense stomach pain can indicate a bevy of problems such as:

Ulcers
Gallbladder issues
Appendix issues

Pain from an infected appendix is especially dangerous. If you ignore it too long, the appendix is likely to burst, leading to even more intense pain, and even death in the worst-case scenario.

Burning Feet

If you feel a burning sensation in your feet, it could be a sign of diabetes or diabetic neuropathy. If not treated quickly, amputation may be necessary.

Intense Headache

Headaches are a common ailment. They can accompany colds and sinus infections, or be associated with a more serious condition like:

Post-concussion headaches
Brain aneurysm
Brain tumor

A good rule of thumb is that is you feel like you’re having the worst headache you’ve ever had get it checked out, especially if you can’t pinpoint what exactly caused the headache.

These pains can all be signs of serious underlying health issues. Pain is your body’s way of communicating to you that something is wrong. Don’t ignore these signals – listen to your body and address pain as it arises.

4 Pain Myths, Busted

November 6, 2013June 24, 2014 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Pain is a complex beast. Since it’s based on subjective factors, each person experiences pain differently than the next. If two people break their arms under exactly the same circumstances, their perception of pain will undoubtedly be different.

With this subjectivity comes a lot of misconceptions and myths about pain. These myths often lead to societal “rules” and mantras that, in reality, are not based in fact. Here are some common pain myths, and the truths behind them:

No pain, no gain. This is a common mantra amongst athletes who believe that they must push their bodies to the point of pain in order to improve. This is incorrect. If your exercise routine is causing you pain beyond simple muscle soreness, it’s probably not a good thing. Listen to your body, and seek medical help if you hurt yourself during exercise.
Going to the doctor won’t help. Some people who are in pain believe that their pain will never go away no matter what, and this sometimes prevents them from seeking medical assistance. The truth is a physician or pain management specialist can help you craft a plan for managing your pain and getting you on track to a better life.
Pain meds are addictive and I shouldn’t take them. It’s true that pain medication can be addicting. However, that should not deter you from using meds to manage your pain. If used in a responsible manner, pain medication can be a great help in alleviating your pain.
Every type of pain can be cured. This is not necessarily true. There are several forms of chronic pain (such as CRPS) that cannot be completely cured. Instead, the best course of action is to come up with a plan to manage the pain.

When it comes to pain, you can’t always trust what your mother says (unless she’s a pain doctor of course!). She may be wise beyond her years, but the way your body experiences pain is drastically different than anyone else. So don’t stick to these old mantras. If you’re in pain, or have a question about treatment options, reach out to a qualified medical professional who can analyze your unique situation and help relieve your pain.

5 Tips for Sleeping Through Pain

October 24, 2013June 24, 2014 / Thomas Cohn, MD

When you’re in pain as the result of an injury or other condition, oftentimes the best remedy is to get plenty of rest and sleep. But sleeping through pain is easier said than done. Rolling over onto a painful back, leg, or arm can wake you up (and keep you up) in the middle of the night. More pain equals less sleep, and less sleep slows your recovery. It’s a vicious (dare I say painful) cycle.

But there are a steps you can take to help sleep soundly through the pain. Here are a few tips:

Take your pain relief medications as directed, and right before bed if possible.
Reduce your caffeine intake. Coffee, soda, and energy drinks are jam packed with caffeine. They are designed to keep you awake and alert. This is great if you need a pick me up at work, but not when you’re trying to sleep. If you can’t cut out the caffeine completely, try to only drink it in the morning.
Cut down alcohol consumption. Many people find that a “nightcap” helps put them to sleep. While it’s true that alcohol can induce drowsiness, the sugars in alcohol are more likely to wake your body up later in the night.
Get into a sleep cycle. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day. This will help your body get into an internal rhythm or groove.
Relax and avoid physical activity before bed. Exercising is a great way to reduce your pain, but exercising too late in the evening can keep you up and make it difficult to fall asleep.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain from an illness, or acute pain following an injury or surgery, getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health. Follow these tips and you’ll be off to dreamland in no time.