COMMON COMPLAINTS AND SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

     Not every medical problem requires an extensive diagnostic workup and complicated treatment.  A middle age mother puzzled her doctor because of chest pains.  One day he realized that she was repeatedly bruising her chest by using it to push a baby carriage uphill while holding the hands of her two other children.  She didn’t require an extensive diagnostic workup and extensive complicated treatment so always seek medical attention when symptoms are severe or don’t improve despite your efforts.

    DRY EYES:  Blurred vision (CVS) can cause itchy burning eyes.  To combat CVS, adjust lighting and position from long computer use.  Use a filter over your screen to avoid glare to keep the surface of your eyes moist.  Then look in the distance for 20 seconds to allow your eyes to refocus and take a 15 minute break.

    CHAPPED LIPS:  Lips can become dry, red and chapped despite use of lip balm.  The product itself could be the problem and makes you feel good short term but it is not uncommon to develop an allergy to one of the ingredients.  Amy Newburger M.D., a dermatologist, at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City says, “You wind up using it more and more to counteract the irritation.  She recommends using petroleum jelly for a few days and use a brand free of glycolic acid which causes irritation. 

    NECK, BACK, SHOULDER PAIN:  “This is likely due to simple muscle strain,’ says Douglas Paauw, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine who points out that with “tincture of time” most cases heal on their own  Paauw recommends taking stock of daily habits, how you sit, sleep, work and what you carry.  It could be as simple as sleeping with your neck propped up too much on an overstuffed pillow,” Paauw says.  Reading or watching TV in bed can also cause neck pain.  Wallets and purses are common culprits.  Back experts recommend that men carry their wallet in their front pocket rather than the back pocket because sitting on it can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve in the buttock causing compression sciatica.  Women should ditch a heavy purse in favor of a smaller version with a wide strap or multiple skinny straps that won’t cut into the shoulder, and consider wearing it across the chest to balance the weight.  A fanny pack is also a good option. In tomorrow’s blog we will evaluate the work environment.