5 Mental Tricks and 5 Mantras for Chronic Pain

There are many different ailments that can result in pain, such as infections, arthritis, and joint and nerve problems, among many others. Living with chronic pain that causes suffering year-round can feel like a living nightmare. Things can feel almost hopeless, but your suffering can be mitigated and managed using a steady combination of medications, as prescribed and advised by your doctor, as well as positive thinking and self-affirmation. To this end, we’ve gathered 10 mental tricks you can perform to keep your pain at bay, as well as 5 mantras you can recite to keep your strength and spirits up!
1. Visualization
Visualization is a method that focuses on the use of the power and strength of your mind to create scenarios that can reduce your pain. One method of visualization requires you to picture your pain in a physical form, e.g. as a giant red throbbing mass. Focusing on the physical form of your pain, you can shrink it or reduce it to a smaller pink mass in your imagination, which should help with the actual pain you're experiencing.

Another use of visualization aims at relaxing and soothing your mind. Picture yourself in a relaxing place, like on a beach with a drink in your hand, or in a warm Jacuzzi with all your joints being warmed and massaged by the water, and experience the pain slowly melting away as you relax. 

2. Meditation
Meditation is a great way to manage not only stress and discomfort but also pain. A study conducted in 2011 looked into the effect of mindfulness meditation on pain management. This study conclusively showed that mindfulness meditation can have extremely positive effects on pain management. The combination of meditation and application of heat probes to affected areas reduced pain intensity by approximately 60%, and pain unpleasantness by approximately 70%.

3. Writing
Believe it or not, writing is a great way of channeling any strong emotion. American Social Psychologist, James W. Pennebaker, recommends writing for at least 15 minutes a day before sleeping when struggling with chronic pain and stress. You can write about everything - from what your current struggle is, to things that are worrying you and frustrations you’re dealing with, to dreams of the future, places you want to visit, and other thoughts that give you joy. 

4. Controlled Breathing
If meditation is not the thing for you, have no fear. Controlled breathing can help immensely. Diaphragmatic breathing can be helpful, as it requires deep breathing from the stomach rather than the more shallow breathing from the chest. Dr. Janice M. Singles, Psy.D. of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, a distinguished psychologist in orthopedics and rehabilitation, states that this sort of breathing from the belly can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which allows for a more quiet response to pain.

5. Laughing
Laughter truly can be the best medicine, and there have been a few studies to prove it. A study conducted by researchers at UCLA determined that kids and adolescents who had their hands immersed in ice water were able to tolerate the pain longer while watching humorous video clips.

A similar study carried out in 2010 showed that humor therapy can be an excellent way of reducing pain and loneliness for elder persons, recommending humor as supportive therapy to nurses and healthcare professionals. At times of intensified pain, ensure to add a dash of comedy to your life!

6. Apples all around
Surprisingly, apples can be effective at pain relief. A study by the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago showed that sniffing test tubes with the green apple scent improved the condition and reduced the pain of patients suffering from migraine attacks.

A controlled study in 2016 further showed that use of apple vinegar could have numerous positive effects in reducing pain and anxiety, particularly in patients suffering from varicose veins. Even eating green apples can help keep the pain at bay. An apple a day really can help keep the doctor away!  

7. Turn up the Volume
Most people suffering from joint and nerve issues, like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis will know that doctors often prescribe more exercise as a means of treating joint pain, but it can be difficult to carry out such activities with the persisting pain.
Music can serve as a great way to keep your mind off the pain while exercising. A 2013 study determined that music can help control pain levels and act as an effective therapeutic intervention. A 2012 study on the effects of music for people with osteoarthritis of the knee suffering from joint lavage similarly showed lower levels of anxiety and pain after the use of music intervention. Music is an effective tool for distracting patients from the pain, which aids in pain relief.  

8. Look through a photo album (or the pictures on your phone)
Believe it or not, but rummaging through your phone or old family photo albums and surrounding yourself with pictures of familiar faces and loved ones can be immensely good for the brain and the body. Especially in times of heightened pain, looking at the face of a loved one or a reminder of treasured memories can result in the release of chemicals in the brain that can reduce the sensations of pain one may be suffering from.
Much like music, it also serves to act as a distraction from the pain as well, making it easier to reduce pain levels.  

9. Enjoy some lovely artwork
Staring at masterpieces may not be something you’d ordinarily do in your free time, but looking at beautiful works of art and being surrounded by the color and majesty of these pieces can go a long way in easing your pain. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bari found that looking at beautiful art actually helped reduce the pain levels of a number of hospital patients.
Art created by famous creators like Picasso, Botticelli, and even Da Vinci were selected and viewed by the 24 participants of the study. It was found that by focusing on these paintings and what these works of art made them feel and think significantly reduced the intensity of the pain they were experiencing. 

10. Recite these 5 pain-relieving mantras
One of the best things you can do for your body, particularly when suffering from an ailment of which chronic pain is a major symptom, is to keep thinking positively. That can be extremely difficult when daily tasks seem like an impossibility and basic movements cause you immense pain.
However, reminding yourself of your own true strength and remembering that you can get through anything will keep you steady and dull the pain on the worst of days. Here are some mantras you can recite to yourself on days when the pain is especially unbearable. 

(i) I am strong, no matter what
We often feel like the pain makes us weaker, particularly because it impairs our ability to function in our day to day lives. It’s important to remember that your strength lies in not what you can’t do but what you can. And every day that you are bearing through the pain is another show of your strength and courage. 

(ii) One step at a time
This mantra is for those days where a task or event is bearing down on you, and the pain is making it seem like an impossibility to complete. Even things like exercise and physiotherapy can seem like a daunting event, but taking it slowly and appreciating every step of your progress along the way can help immensely. 

(iii) I will get better
A big part of pain management is reminding yourself that your current suffering isn’t going to last forever. Even if you are struggling with a chronic ailment, the intensity of the pain will ebb and flow, and once you find a system that works for you, you will have more good days than bad ones. 

(iv) I am not alone. I am safe and loved
These are 2 very important things to keep as a constant reminder. You are not alone in your suffering, and as many before you have recovered and survived the same struggle you bear with now, so shall you. And as you make your way through your journey, place value in all those that support you and give you a safe space to heal. 

(v) This too shall come to pass
This is perhaps one of these most powerful mantras that can help you cope not only with chronic pain but almost any difficult situation. The knowledge that nothing is truly permanent can go a long way in helping you cope with your pain. Focusing on the good to come in the future can make these periods of pain and suffering pass quicker.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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What are the signs of early-onset Alzheimer's? Diagnosis, treatment

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia typically associated with older adults. However, early-onset Alzheimer's disease occurs before the age of 65.

Alzheimer's causes memory problems and a variety of related symptoms. It is a degenerative disease, which means the symptoms will get worse over time.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all known dementia cases.
Though there is no cure, there are some treatments available to ease symptoms and slow the disease's progression.

Signs and symptoms
There are several distinct signs and symptoms of memory loss that may indicate Alzheimer's. If a person experiences one or more of the following signs or symptoms, they should speak to their doctor.
1. Memory loss that impedes daily activities
The most common symptom of Alzheimer's is memory loss. A person experiencing memory loss may:
    forget recently learned information
    ask for same information repeatedly
    have a higher reliance on memory aids, such as calendars and notes
    forget important events or dates
As a person ages, it is not uncommon to forget things from time to time. Typical, non-Alzheimer's memory loss may include forgetting an acquaintance's name but remembering it later on.
A person with early-onset Alzheimer's will have more noticeable memory loss and may repeatedly forget the same information.
2. Trouble completing everyday tasks
Another common early sign of Alzheimer's is when a person has difficulty completing an otherwise familiar task.
A person with early-onset Alzheimer's may:
    forget how to get to a grocery store, restaurant, or place of employment
    have problems balancing a home or work budget
    forget the rules of a familiar game
Sometimes, natural aging may cause a person to need help with new or unfamiliar things. For example, helping an older loved one figure out the settings on their new phone is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate a problem.
By contrast, if a person has used the same phone for years and suddenly cannot remember how to make a phone call, they may be experiencing Alzheimer's-related memory loss.
3. Problem-solving or planning difficulties
Some people with early-onset Alzheimer's find they have trouble following directions, solving problems, and focusing.
It may be hard for a person to follow a recipe or directions written on a product. They may also have trouble keeping track of monthly bills or expenses.
4. Problems with vision and spatial awareness
Alzheimer's can sometimes cause vision problems, which may make it difficult for a person to judge distances between objects.

It may also cause a person to have difficulty distinguishing contrast and colors. These vision problems combined can make it difficult or impossible to drive.

Normal aging also affects eyesight, so it is essential to have regular checkups with an eye doctor.
5. Confusion about location and time
Another common sign of early-onset Alzheimer's is getting confused about places or time. A person may have trouble keeping track of seasons, months, or time of day.
A person may occasionally be unable to recognize where they are or have no memory of how they got there.
6. Frequently misplacing items and not being able to retrace steps
Most people will lose items at some time but are usually able to locate them again by searching in logical locations and retracing their steps.
A person with Alzheimer's may forget where they placed an item, especially if they put it in an unusual place.
Alzheimer's also makes it difficult for a person to retrace their steps to find the missing item. This can be distressing and may cause the person to believe someone is stealing from them.
7. Problems writing or speaking
A person may have trouble keeping up in a conversation or may repeat themselves. A person may also have trouble writing down their thoughts.
The person may stop in the middle of a conversation, unable to figure out what to say next. They may struggle to find the right word or label things incorrectly.
It is not uncommon for a person to occasionally struggle to find the right word. Typically, they eventually remember it and do not experience the problem frequently.
8. Showing signs of poor judgment
Everyone makes bad decisions at times. People with early-onset Alzheimer's, however, may display a marked change in their ability to make good decisions.
Signs of poor judgment include:
    spending too much on unnecessary items
    showing inattention to personal grooming
    not showering or cleaning themselves regularly
9. Mood or personality changes
A person with Alzheimer's may start to become confused, anxious, suspicious, or depressed. They may show these signs in a variety of settings, including at work, at home, and in unfamiliar places.
They may become frustrated with their symptoms or feel unable to understand the changes taking place. This may present as aggression or irritability towards others.
10. Stepping away from social or work activities
As Alzheimer's develops, a person may stop participating in the social or work activities they used to enjoy.

Risk factors
According to the Alzheimer's Association, age is the primary risk factor for developing Alzheimer's.
From the age of 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles every 5 years. By age 85, a person has a 50 percent chance of developing Alzheimer's.
Another risk factor is family history or genetics. A person is more likely to develop Alzheimer's if they have an immediate family member with the disease. If more than one person in the family has had Alzheimer's, the genetic risk increases.
Researchers are still unsure why Alzheimer's develops at an early age in some people. However, they have identified rare genes in some people who experience Alzheimer's in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Diagnosis
If a person experiences one or more of the symptoms listed above, they should speak to their doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis might help slow the progression of the disease.
There is no standard test to diagnose Alzheimer's, so a doctor will make a diagnosis based on several factors.
A doctor will ask a person about the symptoms and concerns. The doctor will also review a person's family history, specifically looking for a history of Alzheimer's and dementia. It may help to bring a loved one to the doctor's office for support.
After an initial review of the person's symptoms and family history, a doctor may order medical tests, including a neurological exam and brain imaging.

Treatment
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, as there is still no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
There are some medications available that may help with memory loss. These are most effective if started early on in the disease's progression.
Doctors can also provide recommendations and medications to help a person who is experiencing related health issues, such as insomnia, which may be contributing to memory problems.
A person may also benefit from talking to a counselor about any behavioral changes they experience. Also, some medications are available to help with symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Researchers are still looking for better treatment options.

Supporting a loved one
A person can support a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's in many different ways. Some recommendations include:
    Learning about Alzheimer's disease to understand the symptoms better.
    Participating in activities with the person as often as possible.
    Discussing the changing relationship with a counselor or other trusted person.
    Talking to the person about concrete ways to help, such as by preparing meals or driving them to appointments.
    Connecting with other people through support networks.

Outlook
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but treatment can help in some ways.

Early detection may help slow the progression of the disease but will not prevent it.

A person is most at risk of developing Alzheimer's as they age, especially if they have a family history of the disease.

If a person suspects they or a loved one is developing Alzheimer's, they should speak to a doctor.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
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Poor motor skills might predict if autistic child is at language disability risk

The fine motor skills autistic children exhibit while eating, writing or even buttoning their shirt, might seem trivial but can act as a strong predictor to identify if they're at risk of developing lasting language disabilities, suggests a new study.

The association between fine motor skills and autistic child's language development was found in a study published  recently.

In an American sample of language-delayed children with autism, researchers found that nearly half had extremely delayed fine motor skills.

Of this group, 77.5% who had extremely delayed motor skills continued to have language disabilities in later childhood or young adulthood. By contrast, 69.6 % of children who demonstrated less impaired fine motor skills overcame their language delays by late childhood or young adulthood.

In a 2nd study of Canadian children with autism, researchers found that those with extremely delayed fine motor skills made fewer gains in expressive language.

Language development is complex. Many interventions for young children with autism focus on language intervention or social skills, said the lead researcher.

The researchers analysed data from existing studies that used different standardised developmental tests to assess fine motor skills through tasks that require children to manipulate small objects, such as picking up Cheerios or stacking small blocks.

The 1st analyses focused on 86 children with autism recruited to an American study from before their 2nd birthday to age 19. The replication study was conducted using data from a Canadian study that followed 181 children with autism from 2-4 years of age, until age 10.


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6 key facts everyone should know Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia, which is described by a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and behaviour. Read on to know more about this progressive disorder-

Key facts you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease

1. Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic ongoing condition that causes brain cells to waste away and die.
2. Memory loss and confusions are the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Other signs of the disease include trouble with speech or writing, decreased personal hygiene, mood and personality changes, withdrawal from friends and family, etc. Since Alzheimer’s is a progressive disorder, symptoms gradually worsen over time.
3. Anyone can get Alzheimer’s, however, adults over 65 years of age and those with a family history of the condition are at higher risk of developing the condition.
4. It many be noted that Alzheimer’s and dementia are similar but not the same thing. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia.
5. While there’s no one identifiable cause of Alzheimer’s, scientists believe that the disorder is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.
6. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but proper medication and management strategies can help slow the progression of the disorder and temporarily improve the symptoms.

Similarly, there’s no definitive way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, but evidence suggests that changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise and habits – all of which are essential for good health and well-being - may reduce the risk of the condition.

The neuro-psychiatric signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may range from mild to severe and include the following:

• Agitation, aggression  
• Apathy
• Screaming, hostility, verbal/physical abuse
• Mood disturbances (e.g. depression, euphoria)
• Social inappropriateness
• Sexual dis-inhibition
• Wandering
• Sleep disturbance
• Repetitive behaviour
• Psychosis, paranoia - delusions & hallucinations
• Shadowing (following the carer closely)

What can you do as a caregiver for your loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s

These problems can cause a big challenge for the caregivers and those living with the sufferers, making even more difficulties than the memory problems. Dr Era also suggests some tips to help you out on your care-giving journey. 
Understand them: They may be losing out on their memory slowly but they have a lot of unmet needs which require fulfillment. Remember them how they were before the disease, their interests, needs.
Spend time with them: Understand that you can try to engage them in small activities. Play a game like ludo, carom or just watch a movie with them.
Don’t be hurt by their actions: If they are aggressive towards you, don’t get hurt. They are not doing it deliberately.
Make their environment safe: Include handrails wherever you can in the house to ensure that they don’t fall. A simple rail support while getting up from the bed and restroom goes a long way.
Maintain sleep hygiene: Knowing the fact that sleep is important at all stages, make sure that they nap less during the day and are taken outdoors. This will enable them to get a sound sleep at night.
Consult a Neuro-psychiatrist for short-term medication if the issues persist despite your care. This could be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.

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Drawing Better Than Writing for Retaining Memory For Older Adults

Drawing can help you better retain new information than re-writing notes or passively looking at images, a study has found.

Scientists have found that older adults could enhance their memory by taking up drawing, even if they are not good at it.

"We found that drawing enhanced memory in older adults more than other known study techniques. We’re really encouraged by these results and are looking into ways that it can be used to help people with dementia, who experience rapid declines in memory and language function." 

For the study, the researchers asked both young people and older adults to do a variety of memory-encoding techniques and then tested their recall.

They believe that drawing led to better memory when compared with other study techniques because it incorporated multiple ways of representing the information -- visual, spatial, verbal, semantic and motoric.

"Drawing improves memory across a variety of tasks and populations, and the simplicity of the strategy means that it can be used in many settings." said a professor.

As part of the studies, the researchers compared different types of memory techniques in aiding retention of a set of words, in a group of undergraduate students and a group of senior citizens.

Participants would either encode each word by writing it out, by drawing it, or by listing physical attributes related to each item.

Later on after performing each task, memory was assessed. Both groups showed better retention when they used drawing rather than writing to encode the new information, and this effect was especially large in older adults.

Retention of new information typically declines as people age, due to deterioration of critical brain structures involved in memory such as the hippocampus and frontal lobes.

In contrast, we know that visuospatial processing regions of the brain, involved in representing images and pictures, are mostly intact in normal aging, and in dementia.

"We think that drawing is particularly relevant for people with dementia because it makes better use of brain regions that are still preserved, and could help people experiencing cognitive impairment with memory function. Our findings have exciting implications for therapeutic interventions to help dementia patients hold on to valuable episodic memories throughout the progression of their disease." 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Learn to Be Optimistic Around Negative People

Being optimistic helps in many ways, one of it is having better health, as people worry less. When you've less tension, then better blood circulation leading to better health. Being optimistic is quite easy, just like saying the glass is half full than saying half empty !

1. Choose to Be Optimistic

Life is all about choices. You can opt to spend the entire day reading or cleaning. You can make dinner yourself or choose to go out to eat. You can make that call you've been thinking about for a while or you can put it off for another day.
What's more, you can also choose to be positive or you can choose to simply carry on living as you are. Being optimistic in a negative world starts with the decision to be positive and to carry on that way for the rest of your life.

2. Avoid Energy-Draining Vampires

Some people call them 'toxic' while others call them 'whiners', but we can all recognize a pessimist when we see one, and can recognize their horrible ability to suck all of the positive energy out of a room. This is why it's important to establish healthy boundaries with such people, otherwise, they might end up sucking all of the life out of you.

3. Imagine a Positive Future

It might sound a little pathetic right now, but actually writing down your ideas of an optimistic future will make a huge difference when it comes to your overall outlook on life. You may also want to consider a serious challenge you have in life right now, and simply sit back and think about all of the possible positive outcomes.

4. Bestow Positivity on Others

Making others feel good about themselves can have lasting positive effects on your own life. Never forget to praise your family, friends, and colleagues for the good things which they are doing in their lives, even if they don't directly affect you. Of course, you should never forget to praise yourself either, even for what might seem like the most trivial of things.

5. Recognize Your Negative Thought Patterns

It’s fine to acknowledge that bad things in life might happen at any time. After all, ignoring reality isn’t the most helpful tactic either. Being excessively negative though can seriously sabotage your chances of finding happiness in this life.
When you begin to think in a negative manner, take a moment to work out just how realistic your thoughts really are. Reframing your awkwardly negative thoughts into more realistic patterns may be the key to helping you maintain an optimistic outlook.


THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

6. Practice Gratitude

Spending some time thinking about all of the things you have to be thankful for will often provide you with an instant optimism boost. You could even choose to keep a gratitude journal, where you can jot down anything which makes you smile. If nothing else, take a moment every once in a while to stop, smile and be thankful for the positive things in life.