How Chronic Pain Affects the Brain

 

There are a number of ailments that can cause chronic pain. Sometimes this means you’re in pain for a few months, sometimes a few years, or even a few decades. Everyone has experienced pain, so imagine if something like a headache, stomachache, or pinched nerve just never went away. This kind of pain can wear on someone’s emotions. A lot of chronic pain sufferers even look for a chronic pain sponsor to help them make it through their difficult journey because bearing this particular kind of hardship can actually change the way your brain functions.

Mental Health Conditions

People suffering with chronic pain are more likely to develop mental health problems they didn’t experience before. Things such as dependence on pain killers and anxiety and depression are the most common. In fact, research shows people in chronic pain are four times more likely to develop anxiety and depression. Other factors of being sick and in pain can contribute to these mental ailments as well, such not being able to participate in exercise or activities you used to enjoy, or feeling like you have a reduced quality of life because of how you have to manage your pain. If you know someone who’s in chronic pain, keep an eye out for signs of depression or anxiety and offer your support.

Common Conditions

There are a number of different conditions that can cause chronic pain, but a few are more common than you might think. The first is arthritis, which can wear away cartilage between bones and cause intense pain in the joints. Another is fibromyalgia, which is a misfiring of nerves in the brain and spine so that the two areas process pain differently. Finally, some people are plagued with chronic migraines and things like light or loud sounds can trigger their pain.

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How To Make Family Gatherings More Fun

Whether your extended family meets several times a year or only once every decade or so, family reunions can be stressful. The key to any large gathering is good planning. If it’s your turn to host this year’s event, follow these tips for a relatively easy gathering.

Select Some Activities

With any large group of people, things are bound to get out of control if there isn’t any guidance for activities. If you know kids will be present, try planning a few kid-friendly activities like a scavenger hunt or ball game so the young ones don’t get bored. Plan some less-energetic activities that are easy for older members to participate in too, such as board games or creating a family album.

Arrange For Food

Some families like to have a potluck, while others simply order a bunch of takeout. No matter what you’re eating, make sure there’s a plan that includes where the food will be set up, how people will be served and how cleanup will be handled. If you decide on a buffet, renting items like salad or soup bar equipment can make the plate-filling process easier and more accessible for everyone.

Prepare for the End

Once the games have been played, the conversations chatted up and the food eaten, the time will inevitably come for everyone to go home. If you’re in charge of cleanup, this can leave you with a lot of work before you can relax in peace. Make things easier on yourself by instructing guests on where to put garbage, how to leave the furniture and where to find their coats.

Family gatherings always have their good points. Don’t let your latest family reunion leave you dreading all the work that comes from poor planning when instead you could be relaxing and enjoying some good company.…

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