How to Care and Maintain Your Curls

How to Care and Maintain Your Curls

Using the Right Products Can Give You Gorgeous Ringlets

If you have curly hair, chances are your hair tends to be dry, coarse and brittle. It also may be prone to frizz, particularly in humid conditions. With these tips, however, you can combat the frizz and get lush curls all year long.

Products Every Curly-Haired Girl Needs

Unlike your straight-tressed sisters who should stay away from products that weigh down their hair, you need a few products to keep frizz and dryness in check:

The right kind of shampoo A new craze in shampooing curly hair is the "No Poo" movement. This means not shampooing hair but instead conditioning it daily. My curly-haired friends also swear by Deva Curl's No Poo and Lo Poo shampoos. If you must you a shampoo, creamy shampoos are a better bet than clarifying shampoos.

Two types of conditioners You simply cannot over-condition frizzy hair. You need a heavy conditioner for use every time you wash your hair, and a deep conditioner for use once a week.

Smoothing cream and alcohol-free gel From the minute you step out of the shower, you need to coat the cuticle so it locks out moisture. In the book "Confessions of a Beauty Editor", author Linda Wells suggests a one-two-punch: 2 parts cream for 1 part gel (yes, you have to buy the products separately). A walnut-sized amount will do you. Simply rub together then palm the mixture from mid-shaft down. Comb the product throughout all of your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

Styling cream Enhance your curls with a cream created for curly hair. Rub it in and let hair airdry.

Style serum Warm up a couple drops of this in your hands and palm over dry, frizzy curls. The serum will solve your frizz problems.

Straightening balm or gel If you want to blow-dry hair straight, rub a quarter-size amount of this on hair before drying curly hair (always in sections, working from the lower layers on up).

For a full list, see Best products for curly hair.

For even more tips on how to keep frizzy hair at bay see Frizzy Hair Fixes: 7 Rules to Live By.

Put Away the Blow Dryer

To combat the frizzies, refrain from blow dryer overuse. Adding heat to air only increases the problem. Instead, finger-comb hair, letting curls air-dry for as long as possible (luckily, because your hair tends to be dry, so you may not need to wash hair more than a couple times a week). Never rub hair dry with a towel, instead squeeze moisture out with paper towels.

If you must use a blow dryer, use a diffuser like Deva's, which is specially formulated for curly hair. Hold the blow dryer under hair, and dry by cupping and squeezing hair in your palms from below (never scrunch curls, you'll invite frizz).

If you don't use a diffuser, aim the blow dryer nozzle downward, in the direction hair grows.

The Less You Mess, the Better

The more you play with your curls, blow drying them, scrunching them, etc, the better chances you'll get frizz. You can style hair by twisting curls around your finger, letting them lay to air dry.

How to Straighten Curly Hair

First apply straightening balm (see above). Divide hair into four or five sections and blow dry each section using a flat paddle brush. Once your hair is COMPLETELY dry, flat-iron 2-inch sections at a time. Rub a silicon-based gloss between hands and palm over your straightened sections. It will help hold the hair in place.

Want Straight Hair for Good? Consider a Permanent Treatment

If you find you flat-iron your hair almost every time you wash it, you might consider investing in a permanent hair-relaxing session. The hottest trends right now are the Brazilian keratin treatment and the Japanese straightening treatment. However, both are rather controversial because they involve chemicals that could prove very bad for your health.

Gentle relaxers are a safer option and can last up to 6 months. They take only about an hour to do. But these are best on single-processed hair (hair that's not been colored). Thermal reconditioning is another option. The process takes about four hours but lasts 6 to 10 months.

Get the Right Haircut

Curly hair needs length to weigh curls down. Your best cut will be medium to long, with layers cut in to alleviate some of the fullness, although with the right cut, curly hair can look good short (check out these short, curly hairstyles).

What you don't want is a blunt cut, which means a ton of fullness on the bottom -- a very dated look. Instead, ask for layers starting at your upper lip, gradually angled back.

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The Best Skin Care Tips For Your 40s

The Best Skin Care Tips For Your 40s

How to Have Great Skin in Your 40s

When it comes to our skin care needs, every decade brings new challenges for how to best care for your skin. When you are in your 40s you can be dealing with dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne all at the same time! Just what products and skin care routine is best for your skin during this decade? Keep reading to find out how to keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and glowing in your 40s and beyond.

Your Skin Care Routine 

In your 40s, your ideal skin care routine does not have to complicate or long. The right skin care routine and the correct skin care products will ensure that your skin will look and feel great.

Have a gentle cleanser on hand to use morning and evening in order to thoroughly clean your face. Your skin is actually getting drier as you age so don't use the same cleanser that you did in your 20s when you are now in your 40s. Try Aveeno Active Naturals for Foaming Cleanser.

Use a sunscreen daily and reapply throughout the day. Incidental sun exposure, which you can get while sitting next to the window in your office or while driving, accounts for a very large percentage of the sun damage to your skin. Be sure to protect your skin throughout the day with a sunscreen like Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 110. Easily re-apply your sunscreen throughout the day with Supergoop! SPF 50 Defense Refresh Setting Mist Sunscreen.

Be sure to apply an antioxidant serum each morning. Apply this product directly to your skin after cleansing. A little bit goes a long way. An antioxidant serum will protect your skin from the sun and pollution while also helping to repair and revive your skin. It's that extra level of help that your skin needs on a daily basis in order to look youthful. Serums with Vitamin C are great because Vitamin C not only helps to rebuild collagen in the skin but also brightens the skin as well. Try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which is pricey but worth the investment in order to keep your skin looking young.

Invest in a moisturizer that has anti-aging benefits. In your 40s you need products that multi-task so look for a moisturizer that has extras, like antioxidants or peptides, in order to help your skin look younger. Try Visio Elan Anti-Aging Peptide Rich Moisturizing Cream.

Exfoliate at least once a week in order to reveal soft, smooth skin and keep your skin from looking dull and lifeless. Try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel which comes in easy to use single packets.

Must Have Product

By the time you are in your 40s you need to be using a retinol daily. Why? Retinol is your secret weapon against skin aging. This fabulous skin care ingredient prevents skin sagging by boosting the collagen and elastin in your skin. It smooths your skin so fine lines and wrinkles are reduced. In addition, it repairs sun damage and fades dark spots. Lastly, it can clear up the occasional breakout and prevent new ones from appearing. This skin care ingredient is a true multi-tasker and a must have for every woman in her 40s. If you add just one new product to your skin care routine while you are in your 40s, make sure it's a product with retinol in it. Try La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Face Cream with Retinol or Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer.

Don't Neglect Your ...

Many times people invest a lot of time and effort into caring for the skin on their face that they forget the skin on the rest of their body. When this happens your face may look young but the skin elsewhere on your body shows your real age. This is particularly true about the skin on your hands and neck.  So be sure to give those areas of your body lots of TLC too. Don't forget - all the skin care products you use on your face can be used on your neck and hands as well.

Lead A Healthy Lifestyle

Our skin reflects the general health of our entire body.  By leading a healthy lifestyle you will keep your skin looking youthful for longer. Don't smoke, eat healthy foods, and practice self-caring techniques like meditation. The more you care for your body and soul, the better your skin will look.

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Skin Care Rules for Your 20s

Skin Care Rules for Your 20s

What To Do Now To Look Youthful Forever

Creating and then maintaining a daily skin care routine is must when you hit your 20s.  Even though your skin now looks bright and dewy you need to be thinking about anti-aging.  Really!  In order to ensure that your skin looks great now and in the future, even the distant future, start taking your skin care seriously.

Just because we don’t see signs of aging when we are in our 20s, doesn’t mean dark spots and wrinkles are not starting to form. We might be more than likely unknowingly damaging our skin because we can’t see the dark spots, wrinkles or dullness that are beginning to develop under the surface of the skin. 

To keep your skin looking radiant in the future, follow these simple tips and tricks.  We were lucky enough to have Beverly Hills dermatologist Ava Shamban, author of the book Heal Your Skin and Allure contributor, explain how to treat your skin while you are in your 20s so you can have beautiful skin now and forever:

Find a Regular Dermatologist— it’s important to establish a relationship with a board certified dermatologist so that you can have an annual mole check (the doctor is looking for skin abnormalities) and to clear up any persistent or difficult skin care issues like acne scars. For example, a dermatologist has options like Bellafill, the only FDA-approved dermal filler approved for the correction of atrophic acne scars, to help you fill in deeper acne scars.

Add a Daily SPF—No matter your age you need to use sun protection every day.  SPF is your first line of protection from the sun damage.  If you are going to follow only one piece of advice in this article make sure it's this one.  Using sunscreen daily will keep your skin looking young. As Dr. Shamban points out we usually don't start to see sun damage until we are in our 30s but those wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots are forming already in our 20s.  By using a sunscreen on your face (don't forget the back of your hands, neck, and chest too) you are stopping that sun damage before it starts.  Also keep in mind, just because it doesn’t look warm and sunny outside doesn’t mean you don’t need sun protection. No matter the weather, start each day with a moisturizer or sunscreen containing at least SPF 30. Always pack sunscreen for days at the beach or Saturday hikes so you can reapply your sunscreen every few hours. Our favorite sunscreens include La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Tinted Sunscreen Fluid for Face and Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Think about getting an eye cream with SPF in it in order to keep the delicate skin around the eye area looking soft and dewy for as long as possible. Try Supergoop! Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Oat Peptide SPF 37.

Invest in a Serum— though your skin needs a moisturizer daily (yes, even if you have oily skin) you should also start using a serum daily.  Why?  A serum will give your skin that extra boost it needs to glow.  Choose which serum is best for you according to your skin care concerns.  Does your skin need more hydration?  Then try Eau Thermale Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum.  Dr. Shamban recommends Regenica® Rejuvenating Dual Serum since just this one product can minimize the appearance of large pores and give you smooth skin.  If you don't have a specific skin care concern that needs to be addressed add a serum with antioxidants in it to your routine in order to protect and nourish your skin.  We like La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum which even has SPF in it.  

Begin a Nighttime Skin Care Routine—Dr. Shamban points out that your 20s can be very hectic between school, work, and family obligations which can leave your skin dry, tired and less bright.  Making sure you take off your skin properly at night ensures that your skin will look its best even if you aren't sleeping or eating properly during the day.  Set up your nighttime skin care routine so that you thoroughly clean, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin on a regular basis.  Making sure you have all the right skin care products for day and night doesn't have to cost a lot of money, but you do need to make sure that you use the products you purchased regularly. 

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Are Your Food Allergies Causing Your Hair Loss?

Are Your Food Allergies Causing Your Hair Loss?

As you look into the shower you notice strands of your hair around the drain and wonder if this is normal. Or maybe your mother mentions that your hair looks thinner than normal, and while it makes you feel bad you noticed it yourself days earlier. So, what is it that is causing your hair to fall out and what can be done about it?

It is normal for a person to lose between 60 to 100 strands of hair a day and most people may not even notice.

However, when hair loss becomes more noticeable or excessive it can be frightening. This is true especially when you are not sure what might be causing the problem.

Before thinking that there is nothing you can do about the loss or thin of your hair, it is important to consider some of the common causes. It is also important to understand that, in many cases, there are remedies and the hair loss may not be permanent. It is important to share any changes in your hair loss with your doctor to be certain of its cause and treatment.  

Common Reasons for Hair Loss or Thinning

Traumatic/Stressful Event

When people go through a serious traumatic event, such as an accident or sudden loss of a loved one, their body can go through extreme shock. Trauma can trigger the body to have an autoimmune reaction, where white blood cells attack the bulb of the hair. Then the hair goes into a resting state of sorts and falls out.

This usually happens in particular spots rather than all over. For most people, over time and often with medication, this situation can be resolved and the hair loss will come to a stop, as new hair grows in.

Rashes

Similar to scabs on your skin that result from a scratch or rash, scabs can form on your scalp.

When a scab forms after you have been scratching the area, the scab will prevent a follicle from opening. The result is that area hair can not grow and the hair will fall off in that spot. It is important to talk to a doctor to get a prescription shampoo to help regenerate growth and stop the itching.

Food Poisoning

There are some studies that indicate that food poisoning, not in the typical sense but from metals in the waters, may affect your blood circulation and cause your hair to prematurely shed. This situation can last as long as three months when the current follicles are replaced by the new ones, making this is a temporary situation.  Studies supported through the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (www.healthandenvironment.org) indicate that chemicals when ingested, through the environment or food chain, are related to disease processes.  For example, there is "strong" evidence that ingesting thallium can be linked to alopecia, which is the loss of hair.  The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry also has similar findings.

 Again this is not typical food poisoning but can occur as a result of the bacteria or toxins.  It is important to note that this association is not scientifically conclusive. 

Food Allergies

For some people with allergies to dairy, wheat, soy or other foods, hair loss can be a complication, although this has not been 100% scientifically confirmed. When your body has an allergic reaction, your immune system can send signals throughout the body to ward off attacks. This can result in hair loss and should be addressed by avoiding those foods to avoid further damage. Also, having a food allergy may affect your diet. A diet that lacks certain vitamins and nutrients can affect different processes of the body, including hair growth.  In fact studies, such as those from the American Academy of Dermatology, suggest that too much vitamin A or too little protein can affect hair loss.  For those with allergies, there is sometimes an imbalance in their diet, which may be the real cause of the hair loss.  Keep in mind that the food allergy or poor diet may be occurring at the same time as the hair loss, but may not have a causal effect.  More studies are needed to prove this relationship. 

Hormonal Imbalances

For some people, medical conditions that affect hormones can result in hair loss. Many people with food allergies also have related illnesses that can alter hormones, so this can further exacerbate the hair loss.  It is important to address this with the doctor, in terms of options to help maintain healthy hair. 

Gluten Allergies

For some people with a gluten allergy, there is a connection between the autoimmune disease and hair loss. According to the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, there is a link between hair loss and an autoimmune disease and many with the celiac report this as a symptom of their disease. In celiac,  the body reacts when certain grains are eaten and the immune system creates antibodies to ward of the foods it can’t break down. This reaction affects the bowels and destroys the walls of protection, allowing more pathogens into the gut. Hair loss often is a result of malabsorption of nutrients and inflammation in the intestines and bowels. Some people’s bodies not only attack gluten but their hair follicles and other parts of the body as well.  

Poor Diet

While hair loss can be genetic, there are others whose hair loss is a result of a poor diet. For some, it can be the lack of proper nutrients, while for others it can be a result of excessive weight loss or minimal caloric intake. It is important that one looks at their overall diet and weight history to determine what might be causing them to experience hair loss. 

Once the reason for your hair loss is better understood, treatment options can be explored. It is important to consider that there are many foods that have been found to actually enhance hair growth, and they may be helpful in regenerating hair growth. 

A balanced diet is critical to help your body processes, including hair growth, to be at its optimal health.   While we wait for conclusive scientific studies to report on the best options for the prevention of hair loss, these foods have been touted to play a role.  Keep in mind that this is a recommendation but more evidence is needed to support these theories: 

Salmon loaded with vitamin D, protein, and omega-3s to promote hair growth.  Note: While a study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids was beneficial to stimulating hair growth in its participants, more research is still needed in this area)

Yellow peppers contain vitamin C which is an antioxidant that strengthens the hair shaft and hair follicles.  Additionally, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center,  a deficiency in vitamin c has been linked to dry and splitting hair, which can then lead to hair loss.   Thus choosing to have a diet rich in vitamin C can be helpful for healthy hair. 

Oysters are rich in zinc and it is a zinc deficiency that is often linked to hair loss.  The Mayo Clinic reports there is strong evidence that a zinc deficiency results in hair loss among other side effects, such as skin conditions, diarrhea, and skin issues.

Eggs are rich in biotin which has been shown to enhance hair growth and regeneration of new hairs.  The University of Maryland Medical Center supports that fact that biotin deficiency, although rare, can result in hair loss. 

So the next time you pull out some extra strands of hair, take a deep breath and don’t assume the worst.  Take the time to rule out the common causes, seek professional opinions and even consider changing your diet. Perhaps there are things you can do after all to help control the loss and help your hair to replenish healthfully.

Sources:

Glynis, Ablon MD FAAD. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supple, went in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair.  J Clin Aesthete Dermatol. 2012 Nov; 5(11): 28-34

University of Maryland Medical Center. Hair Disorders. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-h-biotin 2016.

University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin H (Biotin). http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/hair-disorders. 2016. 

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Properly Caring For Your Sensitive Skin

Properly Caring For Your Sensitive Skin

Tips For Which Products To Use and How To Treat Your Skin

Sensitive skin can be tricky to deal with.  You never know what products will cause your skin to become red or irritated (or both).  Sometimes you can figure out what skin care ingredient is causing your problems and sometimes it is just a matter of guessing.  Keep reading to find out which products work well for sensitive skin and how to care for your skin so it stays calm and feels good all the time.

What Is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is not actually a skin type; it is a skin condition.  Anyone can have sensitive skin.  For example, you could have oily, acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.  You can actually cause your skin to become sensitive.  When you have sensitive skin your skin will easily burn, sting, turn red, be tight and dry, and become bumpy upon contact with certain skin care products and ingredients or even household products such as fabric softeners or cleaning products.  

Sensitive skin can come from a skin condition like eczema, atopic dermatitis, or rosacea.

 It can also happen because your skin becomes dry and/or injured and cannot properly protect itself from other elements.  A very cold or even a very hot environment can damage skin and cause it to become sensitive.  If you exfoliate your skin too often or with very strong products you can damage your skin barrier, the very top layer of your skin that protects what is underneath, and cause your skin to become sensitive.  Once your skin barrier is damaged your skin will remain sensitive until you manage to restore and renew your skin.   

Tips for Caring for Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin can find it hard to figure out which products will soothe and hydrate their skin instead of make it become red, tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.  Before you put a product all over your face test it in a small area first.  A good place to test a new skin care product is on the skin behind your ear.  Avoid fragrance in all your products including laundry detergent. Fragrance in the number one skin irritant so is sure to avoid it as much as possible in both your skin care and household products.

Be sure to wash your face and body with lukewarm water since hot water can strip your skin of moisture and make it even more sensitive and dry.  Do not go overboard when it comes to the number of products you are using.  If you have sensitive skin less in more when it comes to your skin care routine.  You can still exfoliate, but only use very gentle products and don't exfoliate too often.  Always use sunscreen even on overcast days and during the winter.  The sun can dry out skin and that is the opposite of what you want to happen to your skin if it is already sensitive.   

Also, keep in mind that the words "for sensitive skin" or "hypoallergenic" actually don't really mean anything.  These terms are not subject to government regulation so there are no standards that need to be met when a company uses these terms on their product labels.  You are better off looking at the ingredients in the product to figure out if it is right for you than going by the words on the front of the label. 

Great Products for Sensitive Skin 

As mentioned above, when your skin is sensitive you want to keep the products you are using to a minimum.  Here's what to look for in the essential products you should have on hand if your skin is sensitive and product recommendations as well:

Facial cleanser: 

Look for a cleanser that does not contain SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate which can be very irritating for people with sensitive skin.  Look for a cleanser that includes added soothing ingredients like Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Cleanser with licorice root or Garnier Clean+ Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser Sensitive Skin with moringa.

Facial Mists:  

Facial mists are a great way to hydrate, soothe, and revive skin throughout the day since you can use them over your make-up.  Try Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater or even make your own.

Exfoliants and Anti-Aging:  

While it is true you should be gentle when exfoliating or using anti-aging products if you have sensitive skin, you still do need to exfoliate and you don't have to give up on anti-aging.  Try RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream for anti-aging and use your favorite cleanser with Eve Lom Muslin Cloth once or twice a week to gently exfoliate.

Moisturizers: 

 If your skin is sensitive it is essential to find a moisturizer that works for you, one for the face and one for the body, and to use it at least twice daily.  For the body think about using Vanicream Skin Cream and for the face consider Eau Thermale Avène Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream or First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.

Sunscreen:  

Finding a sunscreen that doesn't irritate sensitive skin can be a challenge.  Products to try to include Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion or La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Tone-Correcting Facial Primer with Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 for Sensitive Skin.

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Caring For Your Skin While You Have A Cold

Caring For Your Skin While You Have A Cold
  
How To Look Good While Sick

When you have a cold your skin can really take a beating.  While you are suffering from a cold your nose can get red and flaky, your lips can get chapped, and your skin can look dull and lifeless. Here's how to keep your skin looking great even when you are not feeling your best.
Take Care of Your Nose
Because of frequent nose blowing the skin around our nose starts flaking and becomes red when we have a cold.  First things first, be sure to purchase tissues that have lotion in them or even use a product such as Boogie Wipes Gentle Saline for Stuffy Noses that is both soothing and moisturizing. 

These wipes are also gentle enough to use on children as well.
Be sure to constantly moisturize your nose.  You don't necessarily have to apply a heavy or thick moisturizer to your nose but rather find one that you like and just keep using it.  Over the moisturizer, you can apply an oil or even mix the oil into your moisturizer in order to give your moisturizer some extra moisturizing and healing properties.
 You could use Vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, or even coconut oil in order to help the flaky skin around your nose.  Make sure you always have a moisturizer within arms' reach or even in your purse so that moisturizing is easy.   A moisturizing stick such as Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lil' Face Butter Stick makes reapplying moisturizer a snap. When our noses are stuffed our lips can get chapped too so be sure to constantly moisturize your lips as well.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
When you are sick you need to make sure you get proper hydration both internally and externally. So make sure you drink plenty of water while you have a cold.  Be sure to eat foods rich in Omega-3s such as walnuts, tuna, and salmon.  By hydrating your body from the inside out you can help your skin stay soft.
Also, use a humidifier in your home so that there is enough moisture in the air around you.  Using a humidifier while sick or during the winter, in general, can make a very positive difference in how your skin feels.  Your skin will definitely be less dry if you maintain a high moisture level in the air around you inside your home.
Not only should you constantly be moisturizing your nose be sure to moisturize your face often too. Use a moisturizing mask at night in order to give your skin a well-needed boost of moisturizer before or while you sleep.  You can use a moisturizing mask for about 20 minutes or so and wash it off.  Or you can use a mask that is not meant to be washed off.  These new kinds of masks, such as Olay's Regenerist Luminous Overnight Facial Mask Gel Moisturizer, are meant to be applied before bed so that in the morning you can wake up to the soft and smooth skin.
This isn't the time to bust out your strongest skin care products.  There is no need now for harsh soaps or exfoliants.  Instead, baby your skin while you have a cold.
Finally, don't take long, hot showers.  Yes, when you are sick it feels great to stand under hot water. Unfortunately, that hot water can dry out your skin significantly.  Instead take short showers, 5 to 10 minutes long, in warm water.

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Does Colon Cancer Hurt?

Does Colon Cancer Hurt?

What Causes Cancer Pain and How Can it Be Relieved?

Does colon cancer hurt? 

Worrying that something is going to cause you pain is a completely normal reaction to learning that you have colon cancer. Unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as the question. Every person is the individual, which means that what you experience during treatment and recovery may not be the same as what I would experience.

Cancer Pain Sources

Cancer pain comes in many different forms, but the most important thing to remember is not every person fighting cancer has pain.

Feeling any type of discomfort is actually fairly rare in the early stages of colon cancer, and usually reserved for people fighting metastatic or advanced cancers. If you do become uncomfortable, the most likely culprits might include:

A deep, aching pain from compression of your organs or tissues (metastatic tumors can cause this pressure).

Skin or nerve ending pain -- usually in your feet or hands -- is a common side effect of some of the plant-based chemotherapy agents.

Discomfort from skin burns, which are a side effect of some powerful radiation treatments.

Surgical pain following a bowel resection.

Generalized discomfort -- you might be exhausted, nauseous, or just feeling poorly as your body fights cancer.

It is important to report any pain or uncomfortable sensations to your doctor. Don't make the common mistake of trying to "wait it out" or worse yet, self-medicating. Non-prescription drugs and alcohol can compound your pain problem and won't give you the relief you need.

Describing Your Pain

Your doctor will obtain a complete history of your pain. Although it may seem intrusive, your doctor has to ask these questions. Your honest answers can help him or she deciphers the cause of the pain, which must be treated to find relief. Be prepared to discuss:

When the pain started.

Does it feel worse with movement or rest?

How long does it last? Seconds? Minutes? Is it constant?

Where do you most commonly feel it? In your abdomen? Back? Be specific.

On a zero to 10 scale, zero meaning no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable, what number would you assign to your pain most frequently?

What does it feel like? Is it an ache? Burning? Use descriptive words.

How have you been treating the pain? Do you take over the counter pain relievers? Lie down and rest?

Did you ever experience this pain prior to your cancer diagnosis or is it a new pain?

Pain can impact your quality and zest for life. If you are having pain that impacts your movement or ability to carry out normal activities it is definitely time to talk to your doctor. If warranted, your doctor can provide a prescription for pain medications to keep you more comfortable. Read the insert on your new medication and don't be afraid to ask questions. 

Short Acting Versus Long Acting Medications for Pain

There are two types of narcotics for pain control: Short-acting and long-acting.

The short-acting medications are usually taken only as needed and stay in your system for four to six hours depending on the drug.

Long-acting medications are usually prescribed on a routine basis to develop steady, constant pain relief. If you've never taken narcotics for pain control your doctor might start you on a short acting pain medication to see how often you need them and how well they work for you.

It is important to keep a pain diary -- write down when and why you took the medication and bring this diary to each appointment. It will help your doctor determine if the medication is the right choice for you.

Do's and Don't of Narcotics for Cancer Pain

Do not share your new medication with anyone. Be sure to take your first dose when you will be able to stay safe at home and see how it affects you. Many medications can cause dizziness or sleepiness (somnolence) and it would be unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how your medication affects you.

Do take the pain medication if you need it. If you are suffering pain and use the medication correctly you will not become addicted to it. Take the pain medication before the pain becomes debilitating. It is much easier to get the mild pain under control. If you wait until the pain is unbearable, the pain medication may not fully relieve the discomfort. Also, be sure to let your doctor know if you are suffering any side effects.

Reporting Side Effects of Pain Medications

Every pain medication has a list of possible side effects, which should be provided on the leaflet you get with the medication. Common side effects include:

Nausea and vomiting

Fatigue

Dizziness

Constipation

It is usually easy to relieve these side effects, so do not delay in reporting them. If you are still suffering pain or the medication is not helping, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you develop a pain control plan that might also include non-pharmacological interventions such as rest, cold or heat therapy, or adjuvant alternative pain control methods such as massage.

Sources:

American Cancer Society. Caring for the Cancer Patient at Home: Pain. 06/08/2015.

American Cancer Society. Managing Cancer Pain. 9/23/2015.

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