In these more modern times of sexual equality, it may not be politically correct to talk about differences between men and women. Unfortunately, the medical profession cannot ignore the increasing volume of scientific evidence that there are important differences, particularly when it comes to pain management. In this, it is important to distinguish between biological sex and gender. There are visual tests for the presence or absence of reproductive organs, and lab tests for chromosomes that help to say whether this is a man or woman. gender, on the other hand, is a list of the social roles society defines for people. This can be complicated when people choose to act or behave in ways considered more appropriate for the opposite sex. As an example of the problem, you only have to look at the complaints that Caster Semenya is not a woman. How can this muscular person from South Africa suddenly beat the word record for the 800m by one second and be a woman? Continue reading ‘Are men and women the same when it comes to pain?’ »
Posts tagged ‘pain management’
Throughout our lives we often have to deal with pain in its various forms. It can be a small injury or a serious trauma, it can be a light headache or a strong back pain, it can wear off in minutes and last for years. Pain follows us throughout our lives and never leaves us to be careless about what we are doing. Of course, there’s nothing pleasant about pain but if we were unable to feel pain the world would be much more of a stranger place for us where surviving would be much harder for the whole humankind. Pain simply tells us that something is wrong, whether within our body or outside of it that is dangerous and harmful. Imagine world without pain – yes it would be a very good place for a couple of minutes until you are exposed to something harmful, not feeling it, and simply die. Yes, pain is that important. However pain can certainly make you wish you were dead, especially when it’s severe and chronic. That is why people throughout centuries have been developing ways of treating pain. From herbs to Tramadol, from cold objects to cognitive therapy there are numerous ways you can manage pain. But before trying to overcome pain, you first have to understand what pain really is. It is not a medical condition by itself, pain is only a symptom, a signal that something is wrong in the body. And if in case of an injury the cause is evident, quite often pain signals that there are underlying health problems that have to be treated, which the person was not aware of. And this is one of the most effective ways to overcome pain – treating the condition causing it. Continue reading ‘How to manage pain effectively’ »