A Weight Loss Journey

I am SO sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and SORE all the time!  How ‘bout you?

I realize that a contributing factor to these complaints must be my weight, and the pressure I put on my muscles and joints with each step I take, compounded by 50-some years of abuse.  I also realize that I have the power to relieve some of this pressure by losing weight.  Losing weight requires more movement, but that hurts.  That pain is a really effective aversion therapy technique which keeps me from exercising and losing weight!  So, once again, I find myself in the midst of a Catch-22 situation.

(wikipedia:  Catch-22 is a general critique of bureaucratic operation and reasoning. Resulting from its specific use in the book, the phrase “Catch-22″ is common idiomatic usage meaning “a no-win situation” or “a double bind” of any type.)

Pain Relief via Drugs

Our culture suggests that any and all pain can (and sometimes should) be relieved with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  These drugs are some of the most widely used medications, but they aren’t very well understood by most of the people who take them. They are reliable and effective when used appropriately for moderate pain relief, but they also have risks and potential side effects.

There are two basic types of over-the-counter pain relievers:

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT).

NSAIDs prevent the body from manufacturing the substances that act as mediators for a variety of physiologic functions, including protecting the stomach lining and regulating blood pressure. They also mediate pain and inflammation.

An NSAID works by blocking all these substances. So while they block those that cause pain, they also block those that protect the stomach lining and can, therefore, cause stomach upset or gastrointestinal bleeding in some people. The risk of problems increases with long-term use of NSAIDs. However, NSAIDs are effective at reducing aches, pain, fever, and inflammation.

Aspirin is classified as an NSAID, and has some unique properties. Aspirin is a pain reliever that reduces inflammation and fever. It also has been shown to help prevent heart attacks, and may well have other long-term benefits, including reducing colon cancer risk. It acts as a blood thinner and, therefore, can prevent blood clots.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and Panadol). Acetaminophen is believed to act on the pain centers in the brain. They are the safest pain relievers because they don’t block the substances that NSAIDS do, and therefore don’t cause any gastrointestinal bleeding. Acetaminophen reduces pain and fever, but not inflammation. It is ideal for treating osteoarthritis, or treating those with high blood pressure.

Pain Relief via Foods

Research has shown that some compounds in foods help relieve pain, especially green leafy vegetables and beans.  Conversely, some foods may increase pain.  Consider these helpful foods as an adjunct to traditional OTC therapies:

Cherries contain anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of aspirin.  The same is true for raspberries and strawberries.  Tart cherries contain melatonin, another pain reliever.

Soy has isoflavones which are suspected to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Sugar can reduce the perception of pain, especially in children.

Broccoli and other cabbage family vegetables contain sulforaphane which blocks the enzyme that triggers inflammation and joint pain.

Fatty fish contain omega-3 fats whose anti-inflammatory properties may help ease back and neck pain, and painful joints.

Olive oil contains an enzyme, oleocanthal, which acts as an anti-inflammatory similar to ibuprofen.

Note that some foods may increase pain.  Avoid or limit these:  alcohol, coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, corn, dairy, eggs, meat, nuts, salt, sugar, wheat, tea, barley, oats, and rye.

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