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When Every Breath Hurts: What to Do

Breathing is so natural, so automatic. The only time we notice it is if we’re not getting enough oxygen or it’s painful to breathe (or if you start thinking about it, like you are right now).

If breathing is painful, we start holding our breath or breathing less deeply, which makes us want to breathe even more. If this happens to you and you can’t get medical help, you’ll want to know how to stop this cycle.

There are some simple things that can help, but in the end, professional treatment may be the only thing that fixes it. Depending on the cause, you may need quick treatment for more than just painful breathing anyway.

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4 Reasons Your Breast Hurts. (For Men Too!)

by James Hubbard, MD, MPH

In case you’ve wondered why pink has become the latest fashion statement for pro footballers this month, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I think you all know about self-exams, medical exams, and mammograms—and to get to a doctor right away if you feel a new lump. (It doesn’t matter if it’s painful or not; get it checked.) And I hope you men know that you can get breast cancer too.

In my mind, prevention and prompt treatment of any medical problem are some of the best preparedness steps you can take. You’ll have one less thing to worry about in case of a disaster. But sometimes things just happen.

You’re not going to be able to do anything about a breast lump you find during a disaster. You’ll just have to wait to get expert medical help. But there’s another symptom you’ll really want to do something about: pain.

Breast pain can get so bad that it becomes debilitating. Fortunately, it usually heralds something less serious than cancer. And there are things you can do about it.

Here are four causes of breast pain that isn’t from an injury. All can happen in men or women. One is life-threatening.

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Pain Relief Packed in a Pod

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Around here it’s not unusual to see a string of dried peppers hanging on a wall for decoration. These people are preppers and probably don’t know it. Many would be surprised of the pain-relief power packed in each those little pods.

Capsaicin is the chemical that makes the pepper hot. It’s concentrated in that pepper placenta—the light-colored material that keeps the seeds stuck together. Diluted into a cream or spray, the capsaicin can do wonders for certain types of pain. In a disaster setting, when no other pain medicine is available, you could make your own. But be very careful. You’d need gloves, a mask, and airtight goggles. Undiluted capsaicin is beyond hot. More on recipes later.

When I have to give a painful shot, I often kid that at least it’ll take your mind off the pain you came in for. I know, lame on my part, but that’s actually the way I used to think the capsaicin worked. It masked the underlying problem. Now I know it works in far more wondrous ways than that.

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Popular Posts

When Every Breath Hurts: What to Do

4 Reasons Your Breast Hurts. (For Men Too!)

Pain Relief Packed in a Pod

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