A recent article in the New York Times reports that many drug companies will be upping the prices of medications, due to health care reform. Drug companies are working to maintain profits, according to the article, and have increased their prices an average of 9 percent over the last year alone. The Times estimates this to cost the average household taking medications daily around $200 more per year.

We all know the economy hasn't been great lately. While things are starting to look up, many of us are still recovering from job losses and the housing market collapse. This will affect everyone, including those with health insurance.

This kind of story frustrates me, because it paints a picture of drug manufacturers as nothing more than money-making corporations, interested in profit margins. Me, on the other hand? I am interested in people being able to afford the medications that they need. It's hard enough as is. Now it looks like it will be even more of a challenge. I just don't think anyone should ever have to choose between basic necessities, such as food and shelter, and their prescription medications.

How does everyone else feel about this?

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and you know what that means. Sweet potato pie, pumpkin bread, homemade cookies...not to mention that Thanksgiving feast next week!

Of course, the foods you eat don't necessarily determine how much pain you have. However, there are some foods that can help relieve some types of inflammatory pain. Now is a good time to plan ahead, and to decide what you will splurge on and what you will avoid.

Splurge-worthy foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and water. Fill up on these first, and then you won't be tempted to eat as much of the "other stuff" that is not so good for you. That includes food high in sodium, and other processed ingredients. Rather than cut out all of that delicious holiday food, just eat less.

For more on anti-inflammatory foods, check out this article by about.com's Guide to nutrition.

Some recent research by the American Public Health Association discusses the adverse effects of borrowing prescription medications. I've always known this was an unsafe practice, as you never know how a medication will affect you until you take it. Unfortunately, I think in today's economy this practice is going to become more and more common. When you don't have health insurance, and when you can't afford a prescription, it seems only logical to just "borrow" from someone else. So exactly how unsafe is this?

The APHA provided some startling statistics:

• 25 percent of people who borrow meds experience side effects
• Between 38 and 54 percent of people who borrow do not receive verbal or written instructions about the medication
• 77 percent borrowed medications instead of going to see a doctor
• Of those who borrowed meds, up to one third had to see a doctor anyway, delaying their care

Sadly, this phenomenon could be even worse. I wonder what the statistics are on people who experience severe or potentially dangerous side effects from borrowed medications, such as adverse drug interactions or even a drug overdose. It's dangerous, and pretty scary when you think about it. While prescription medications are expensive, to me it isn't worth risking your health (or your life) over.

Have you ever borrowed medications from a friend or family member? If so, did you regret it?

A reminder came out in the Boston Globe yesterday: flexible spending accounts need to be used by the end of the year. I wonder how many of us actually have a flexible spending account (FSA) to cover doctor visits and painkillers? In case you do not know what an FSA is, here is a brief description.

An FSA is an account that you can funnel pre-tax money into. You can usually contribute to them through your employer. They are designed to cover medical expenses that come out of your pocket every year. The advantage of using an FSA is that the money you would be spending anyway on medical expenses is taken out of your paycheck before it is taxed. Using an FSA is a great way to save money if you have a chronic pain condition. The only downside is, if you don't use it, you lose it. Before you sign up for an FSA, it's a good idea to track your typical monthly spending on health care costs.

Is time on your FSA running out? Drugstore.com has a list of covered items in their FSA store, including painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin. Might be a good time to stock up!

If you don't have an FSA and would like to learn more, check out this overview of FSA's by about.com's Guide to financial planning.

Painkillers may be the mainstay of chronic pain treatment, but there are often other approaches to managing painful conditions as well. These may be used in addition to, or in lieu of, traditional painkillers.

According to the National Pain Foundation, as many as 40 percent of Americans are now turning to methods other than traditional painkillers to manage their chronic pain conditions. That being said, America is still behind the rest of the world, in which as many as two thirds of the populations prefer complimentary or alternative approaches to pain treatment. These approaches include dietary changes, massage and acupuncture, herbal remedies, magnet therapy and relaxation, among others.

Should you turn to alternative medicine? It depends. First, you should never change your treatment approach without first talking to your doctor. Some alternative medicines may pose a risk to your health, as can suddenly stopping your traditional painkillers. Next, you need to examine the approach you are considering. Does it have to replace your painkillers, or could it be used as a supplement for pain control? Finally, what evidence is there that an alternative treatment will work? Is the approach well-researched or are the results based on heresay?

In the past 19 years, Americans have spent approximately $27 billion on alternative treatments for chronic pain. Clearly, using other approaches to pain management has appeal.

Prostatitis is a fairly common form of chronic pelvic pain in men. Prostatitis is caused by inflammation of the prostate gland, and causes symptoms such as pelvic pain or discomfort and urinary problems. It is often difficult to diagnose due to its vague symtoms.

Prostate cancer symptoms are equally vague, and often do not become noticable until prostate cancer has advanced past the initial stages. Prostate cancer symptoms can mimic those of prostatitis, and can cause both urinary problems as well as pain and discomfort during urination. Because prostate cancer symptoms are just as vague as prostatitis symptoms, prostate cancer is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages.

So where does this leave men with chronic pelvic pain? Well, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends regular screenings for men, especially those over 40, for early symptoms of prostate cancer. Catching prostate cancer symptoms early increases the chance of effective treatment. If you have pelvic pain or urinary symptoms, it is a good idea to have another exam just to be safe.

More from About.com's prostate cancer Guide:

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer Statistics

Prostate Cancer Myths

A recent article in the LA Times reported that Tai Chi may not only relieve arthritis pain in seniors, but may also lead to better mobility. Tai Chi has been known to have many health benefits for a long time, such as lowering blood pressure and increasing flexibility. This new finding, however, is specific to seniors with chronic pain.

Tai Chi is thought to ease the pains of arthritis by increasing balance, leg strength and flexibility. In addition, it is thought to decrease depression, which is common for people who have chronic pain. Tai Chi offers a safe, low-impact form of exercise. Don't think you have to be a senior to notice the health benefits: if this study says anything to me, it's that Tai Chi can help anyone who has chronic pain.

More information on Tai Chi:

History and Style Guide of Tai Chi

Tai Chi as Moving Meditation

Tai Chi for Arthritis

Chronic nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, affects millions of people. Unlike somatic pain, which is detected by nociceptors (pain receptor nerves), neuropathic pain is often caused by damage to or dysfunction in sensory nerves. Neuropathic pain can be caused by a number of conditions, such as diabetes. Nerves can also be damaged during a surgery, causing postoperative nerve pain. Sometimes, nerve tissues even thicken, causing a bundle which may become irritated. This is called a neuroma.

Treating chronic nerve pain often requires a different approach than pain caused by muscular or joint problems. While conventional medications may control some pain symptoms, nerve pain is often best treated with adjuvant analgesics such as anticonvulsants or antidepressants.

Do you have chronic nerve pain? What treatments did or did not work for you?

When you are being diagnosed or treated for a chronic pain conditions, one of the most common things you will be asked to do is to rate your pain. There are many different ways to do this, ranging from choosing a number to filling out a pain questionnaire. Healthcare providers use pain rating scales because pain is subjective - only the person in pain knows how it feels. Changes in pain rating scales tell the practitioners whether or not a pain intervention is working.

Something I try to explain to my patients is that a pain rating scale is not a test. I commonly hear patients respond "it's a twelve" when asked to rate their pain on a scale from zero to ten. Yes, twelve tells us you are in severe pain, but it's clearly not an accurate measure, especially as it is outside the realm of possibility!

How can you make a pain scale work for you? Well, first, be honest. Tell you practitioner how you feel. Is your pain better? Worse? Unchanged? Are you having other symptoms, such as anxiety or fear? Do you need a stronger painkiller? Whatever the case, let your doctor or nurse know how you are honestly feeling. Otherwise, all they can do it make a guess.

A recent study by the American Academy of Anesthesiologists reviewed the prevalence and causes of postoperative pain. They found that there were several potential factors that might predispose a person to developing chronic pain following a surgery. These included nerve injury, depression and age, among others.

While the area is being investigated further, one of the possible outcomes of this study is changing surgical approaches in patients who demonstrate one or more of the identified risk factors. Of course, they are not suggesting that surgeries be denies to these individuals. On the contrary, they feel if a person is a high risk for developing chronic postoperative pain, that less invasive surgical procedures be used when possible. This could potentially cut down on many cases of chronic pain that develop after major surgeries.