Pain is grouped into two categories, chronic pain which is also know as long-term, and acute pain which is also known as short-term.  The severity of pain depends on the severity of the injury and also on how a certain person copes with pain.  Fear of something can increase the amount of pain experienced.

There are two main types of painkiller and these are aspirin drugs and narcotic drugs.  Types of aspirin drugs are ibuprofen or paracetamol whereas types of narcotic drugs are codeine and morphine.  These forms of pain relief work in different ways.  Aspirin drugs block the body’s ability to produce the feeling of pain or swelling while narcotic drugs block the messages of pain the body sends to the brain and the spinal cord.

Aspirin drugs are used as pain relief for mild pain and narcotic drugs are used as pain relief for severe pain.  Both types of pain relief work in different ways but can be combined to produce greater effects under the supervision of a qualified doctor.

Pain

There are also a number of alternative methods of pain relief such as mind and body exercises which can help to relieve symptoms.  Techniques such as distraction, relaxation and hypnosis can all help to divert the mind away from the pain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical condition that affects the brain and is the most common form of dementia worldwide. A German neurologist by the name of Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in the early 1900’s and was he who the condition was named after.

Alzheimer

When the disease is present in the brain, types of “tangles” develop in the brains structure which kills brain cells. Disease sufferers also have a shortage of a chemical in the brain which is responsible for the transmission of messages. As the disease progresses over time, more areas of the brain are damaged and any symptoms then become more severe.

Early stage symptoms include memory lapses and difficulty in finding the right words to speak or describe something. The progression of the disease brings confusion, forgetfulness, mood swings and frustration and withdrawal due to communication and confidence issues.

Up to the present time, no one has been able to pinpoint one particular factor that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease but it is widely agreed that it is probably a combination of factors including age, genetic makeup, diet, environmental factors and general health. Some people may even have the disease for years before any symptoms appear.

Unfortunately, presently there is no known cure for the condition, but certain drugs have been produced that can help alleviate some of the symptoms or slow down the diseases progression.

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. It is more prevalent in Asia and Africa and can be either acute (more common), resolving itself relatively quickly with no long term liver damage, or chronic (in about 20% of cases) lasting six months or more, and sometimes even for life with symptoms coming and going randomly.

Hepatitis B is normally transmitted via contact with infected bodily fluids or blood and only a very small amount of blood is required to transmit the disease because it is that infectious. In the developed world the virus is normally spread via sharing of contaminated needles, unprotected sex and the sharing such things as razor blades. In less developed countries where blood products are not screened properly or medical equipment is not sterilized adequately, this can also lead to the spread of the virus.

Hepatitis B viruses have an incubation period of between six weeks and six months, but approximately one third of all cases show no symptoms of the disease at all. In another third of cases, symptoms appear flu-like in nature and can include aches, pains and weakness; fever; headaches; loss of appetite; jaundice; diarrhea; and, vomiting and nausea. In the last third of cases, the virus can cause severe illness that can last for a long time (many months in some cases).

Vaccines are available nowadays against hepatitis B, but treatment for those infected normally includes nothing more than rest and recuperation. Drug treatments may be required for chronic types of the disease, to prevent damage to the liver and other parts of the body.