Everything You Need To Know About Lidocaine

Lidocaine, also known as lignocaine, is a numbing medication used to numb tissues of body and to treat ventricular tachycardia. Lidocaine can also be used for nerve blocks. 5 percent of lidocaine is approved by FDA to be used a a numbing agent.

Lidocaine mixed with a small amount of epinephrine can be used as larger doses to be used as numbing and to make its effect last longer. When used in the form of injectable, it typically begins working within a few minutes and lasts for about three to four hours. Lidocaine can also be applied directly to the skin for numbing. 

Lidocaine was discovered in 1946 and came in the market for sale in 1948. It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines as the most important medications needed in a basic healthcare system. Lidocaine is available as a generic medication and is not very expensive. 

Complications

Common side effects of lidocaine with intravenous use include dizziness, sleepiness, muscle twitching, changes in vision, confusion, tingling, and vomiting. Excessive usage can cause low blood pressure and an irregular heart rate. 

Concerns are also there when it comes to injecting it into a joint. This can cause problems with the cartilage. A lower dose may be required in those with liver problems. Generally, it is safe to use in those allergic to tetra Caine or benzocaine. It works by blocking sodium channels and decreasing the rate of contractions of the heart. When used locally as a numbing agent, local neurons cannot signal the brain. 

Indications and Usage for Lidocaine

Lidocaine hydrochloride injection is indicated for production of local or regional anesthesia by infiltration techniques such as percutaneous injection and intravenous regional anesthesia by peripheral nerve block techniques such as brachial plexus and intercostal and by central neural techniques such as lumbar and caudal epidural blocks, when the accepted procedures for these techniques as described in standard textbooks are observed.

Use in the Head and Neck Area

Small doses of local anesthetics injected into the head and neck area that includes retrobulbar, dental and stellate ganglion blocks can produce adverse reactions similar to systemic toxicity seen with unintentional intravascular injections of greater doses. Convulsions, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, confusion, and cardiovascular stimulation or depression have been stated. These reactions may be due to the intra-arterial injection of the local anesthetic with retrograde flow to the cerebral circulation. Patients who receive these blocks should have their respiration and circulation examined and constantly observed. Resuscitative equipment for treating adverse reactions should be immediately available. It is highly recommended to take only the prescribed amount of dosage and not more. 

Labor and Delivery

Local anesthetics rapidly flow into the placenta and when used for epidural, pudendal or caudal block anesthesia, can lead to various degrees of maternal, fetal and neonatal toxicity. The potential for its toxicity greatly depends upon the procedure performed, the amount and type of drug used, and the technique of drug administration. Adverse reactions in the parturient, fetus and neonate involve alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone and cardiac function.

Regional anesthesia has been resulted in maternal hypotension. Local anesthetics produce vasodilation by blocking sympathetic nerves. Raising the patient’s legs and positioning her on her left side will help prevent decreases in blood pressure. The fetal heart rate also should be monitored continuously, and electronic fetal monitoring is highly advisable.

Epidural, spinal, paracervical, or pudendal anesthesia may change the forces of parturition through changes in uterine contractility or maternal expulsive efforts. In one study, paracervical block anesthesia was associated with a decrease in the mean duration of first stage labor and facilitation of cervical dilation. But, spinal and epidural anesthesia have also been stated to extend the second stage of labor by removing the parturient reflex urge to tolerate or by interfering with motor function. The use of obstetrical anesthesia may increase the need for forceps assistance.

The conclusion is lidocaine is a great numbing agent if taken in right quantity as recommended by the doctor to avoid complications. 

Headache - Do I Need An Eye Check-Up?

If you have been experiencing a consistent headache for long then certainly you need a close examination for your eye. You need to get your eyes, eye nerves and the optic discs checked if you experience headache or pain in the eye. The pain can be a result of increased eye pressure in the head but there can be multiple reasons for it. 

The following blog explains the reasons of eye pain and the possible complications that can be resulted due to it.

Initially, most of us refer to a normal medical care in case of headache or eye pain. We prefer to visit the ophthalmologist or optometrist for seeking medical attention for the eye pain. But it’s not always that the eye pain is a result of an eye problem. Pain in the eye region can also be a result of headache which may give rise to a number of eye-related problems. 

Let’s first understand what causes eye strain and then we will get into the complications that can be resulted due to it. 

What is Eye Strain?

"Eyestrain" can result into eye discomfort and even headaches. Eye strain is a result of improper focusing or alignment of the eye. Headache due to eyestrain is experienced after straining eyes by working on for long periods of time on computer, reading, or doing things that need close eye attention such as sewing.

In short, doing anything using your eyes for continuous and long periods of time can certainly lead to a headache. Therefore, it becomes must to use appropriate eyeglasses to avoid the discomfort. 

 Eye-complications that can result into severe headache 

Cornea-related problems: Cornea has a rich nerve supply and that’s what makes it sensitive. That’s why a small speck of dirt in the eye causes pain. So, anything that affects the front portion of the cornea can cause pain and redness of the eye. 

Sometimes dry eyes can also result into corneal pain. So, it is must to provide proper lubrication to cornea with tears released from glands near the eye. If the lubrication is inadequate then the front part of the cornea gets directly exposed to the air which causes pain. Dry eyes often lead to redness, itchiness, burning sensations, fluctuating blurred vision. 

Eye Inflammation: Inflammation inside the eyes or in the surrounding region can also lead to pain which also results into redness and swelling of the eye. This eye condition is generally examined with the help of a microscope (slit lamp). Tumors behind the eye are more painful than the ones inside the eyes. The pain is constant and leads to forward bulging of the eye. It can also lead to loss of vision or problems with peripheral vision.

Glaucoma: Although open angle glaucoma which is common is painless but an acute attack of angle closure glaucoma causes pain, blurry vision and a firm red eye. This attack may be a result of change of light conditions for example: going from dark environment to the one with excess of light- while leaving a movie theatre. This creates pressure over the eye and requires immediate attention to lower down the pressure. Mostly a laser technique is adopted to prevent future attacks.

Optic Nerve Conditions: The optic nerves are affected with the pressure variations over the brain. They can become swollen due to high pressure over the brain and also produce double vision in case of brain tumor. Pseudotumor cerebri (also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension) is a disorder that results into high pressure in the brain where there is no tumor developed. It is found in young, overweight women causing headaches inside or behind the eyes. It may also cause temporary visual loss lasting for few seconds, blurred vision, double vision or a whooshing sound in the ears. This is examined with the help of an ophthalmoscope. 

Giant Cell Arteritis:  This headache disorder affects people above 65 years of age leading to permanent blindness if left untreated. There is no particular reason for this but inflammation of blood vessels blocks the blood flow. Generally, the primary symptom of temporal arteritis is visual loss which is sudden and painless. Other symptoms seen are headaches, tenderness of the scalp, pain or weakness of the jaw while chewing, fever, and weight loss, loss of appetite, muscle soreness, night sweats, depression etc. and feeling poorly overall. It can be diagnosed through blood tests known as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a biopsy of the artery under the skin of the temple. But once it occurs, it gets difficult to get back the normal vision. 

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Botox

Whether it is makeover of your home or your body, it is a MUST for you to know a few important things to avoid various harms. And when it comes to BOTOX…. Check out here what all you should know….

Does that phase have arrived in your life when seeing your face in the mirror you get worried about those wrinkles around your eyes and lips? So, have you tried BOTOX or are you preparing to?
If you’re willing to go for jabbing your poor face full of petrifying needles to look baby-faced again, WAIT! It might surprise you to know that often people who undergo botox treatment say, “I wish I had known…” It’s not that botox is harmful, but before undergo such life-turning phase, you must know the below given crucial things about Botox.
Dig all your senses here to know more…

1) There are so many options… Whom Should I Trust?

People who take botox lightly are dumb, they should not! Giving proper botox isn’t simply playing with the face. One should be well experienced about how to use the needle on the skin. There is a huge difference between “who can inject” and “who should inject.” As such, research well about the nurse or doctor doing your injection. Don’t just judge by the price. You should get botox by only an actively board certified (ABMS, ASPS, ASAPS, AAD) dermatologist or plastic surgeon at a medical facility. Take expert opinion to make the final selection. Talk to people and check out the doctor before you visit them.

2) Know Well What Botox Can And Can’t Do

Before undergoing any medical process, you should know its benefits and loses. Botox is actually a neurotoxin that eases the muscles beneath the skin, which triggers the occurrence of wrinkles. Botox is FDA approved to treat only the “11s” – the lines that form between your brows. Other than this, Botox can also be used to treat forehead lines, tiny bunny lines, crow’s feet, and to give a mild lift to the brows. Do a little homework and research at home about various injection techniques and ‘off the label’ methods so that you know what your doctor will do and ask your doubts accordingly. Remember, an informed patient is a happy patient.


3) How It feels While Getting Botox?

Botox is a very quick procedure. It just takes about 10 minutes to complete one session. The needle is very small and so you need not to worry about anything. However, people with low pain tolerance can feel pain and discomfort, which can be avoided using a topical anesthetic cream. The cool part is that it doesn’t require you to take rest for a day or two; you can go to work even an hour later. Isn’t it amazing!!!

4) What About The Outcomes?

The results of the botox are not immediate. It can take a few days or weeks or even one or two sessions for the changes to appear. But, once it starts affecting, it is visibly smooth. The results of Botox are just amazing, they’ll kick in all at sudden, and you will love to see the changes in you…the results will surely drive you crazy! It doesn’t give you an artificial look, instead-- it's just youthful.
Those who are experienced to Botox strongly recommend avoiding Botox over the areas other than those mentioned in the point 2. It may lead to some unexpected results that probably make you look no less than a JOKER!

5) And What About The Side-Effects? 

A few doctors tell you about these, and the others may not. No medication or procedure is side-effect less and so does BOTOX. The experience of certain people with Botox reveals that it can cause headache for a few days after the procedure. Some complained that it causes tingling in the eyes in the sunlight. However, it’s just a myth that Botox causes bruising or swelling. Botox results are really stunning, but it might make you feel a little weird for some time!
Botox can really make you look younger again…however you need to take do some preparations before undergoing this amazing process to relive your youth again!!!

Which is Less Painful: Laser Hair Removal or Waxing?

Hair Removal…and a great confusion of girls today! What to opt for… laser or waxing. Without wasting any time, let’s check out.

Waxing - the ‘pull-tight-and-hold-your-breath’ procedure. Although, it is quite straightforward, the technique literally pulls the hair follicle out of the root. Waxing is popular primarily for two reasons:

It gives you a hairless and a ‘fertile’, greasy skin and lasts longer than shaving.

Everyone does it. It's a smooth ordeal unless you have an extremely high pain tolerance.

But, what about Laser Hair Removal!

While absolutely not novel, it seems that more females are opting for this long-lasting method. Within a few short sessions, it frees you from worrying about recurring hair on your upper lip, hands, armpits, legs, or bikini area ever again. 

The procedure involves a certain wavelength of light to create heat energy at the hair root or follicle. By targeting the hair color, it warms up the follicle to a temperature which ends up destroying the stem cells, preventing the hairs to regrow.

So, Which Is The BEST????

Laser hair removal does not eliminate hair right away; its removes only about 10 percent in every session, and you can’t wax while you get it. This means, if you start now, you’ll be done entirely by next summer. So, a summer without waxing!!!!

Laser hair treatment is not as painful as waxing and is way faster. It feels like tiny pin pricks, depending on the area being treated. And…. waxing just hurts a lot. I’ve seen girls screaming and shouting in pain… with tears flooding from their eyes. It does not matter how good your beautician is or how long you’ve been doing it.

Laser Hair Removal is much expensive than waxing. A full series of Brazilian laser hair removal sessions is $2,000 as it involves multiple sessions. This is nowhere around the charges of waxing.

Whether you have a darker skin tone, or a pal skin, you can get it done.  There are many new lasers today that work on darker skin also. It hurts a little more with the darker skin, but works just as well.

The conclusion is still perplexing. It is something like 50-50. But, the common thing between both the procedures is that they are really painful. Whether it is Laser or waxing, you’ll have to experience them with pain.

For those who are worried about bearing pain.. while undergoing any of these process.. We have a superb solution for you… A topical Numbing Cream.

With the use of numbing cream, you can go for any procedure – whether waxing or laser.

Numbing Creams for Waxing and Laser Hair Removal

Clinicians, doctors and dermatologists today recommend people to apply numbing cream before undergoing these painful procedures. Since, the numbing creams contain Lidocaine– an effective anesthetic chemical… numbing creams are very effective.

Out of the many options available in the market, Dr. Numb is known to be the best. This is because of the following reasons:

• 100% effective – Dr. Numb is known as the most effective and reliable numbing cream for warding off the pain. Since, it contains Lidocaine in the most required amount (5%) and is even approved by FDA, it leaves you complete numbness in just an hour.  
• One-for-Many Solution – Whether it’s the pain of a hair removal treatment like laser, or threading or waxing, or it’s a body styling procedure like tattooing or piercing, Dr. numb is a one for all solution to the various pain. Not only this, it can also be used to get rid of the common body pain like back pain, or joint pain. Isn’t it amazing!!!
• No-side Effects – Unlike other numbing solutions, Dr. Numb tropical cream has no side-effects. If applied in the right quantity following the proper procedure, there is no chance for it to affect you in any wrong way. Also, it doesn’t harm your tattoo ink, unlike others.
• No Prescription Required - Dr. Numb is clinically tested and approved. As such, it is considered as an over-the-counter medication, means you do not need any medical prescription to buy it.  
• Easy Availability and Affordable – Dr. Numb can be purchased from medical stores and can also be ordered online. Its easy availability makes it the first choice of the people everywhere.
• Suitable for all – Dr. Numb is so safe that it can be used for all ages and all skin types. Even, it can be used among the infants or children.. but in the amount as prescribed by the doctors.

Note – Although, Lidocaine is 100% safe, care should be taken while using it over pregnant or lactating women or people with sensitive skin or allergies.

With Dr. Numb, you can opt for any option, whether it’s Laser or Wax..

Is Tattoo Pain Unbearable?

With the increase in the number of people getting tattoos, the fear of tattoo pain and infection has also greatly increased. People often ask, “Did That Pain, or how much does it pain?” And the answers are somewhat like:

“It depends where you get it. The one on my lower back only got close to unbearable when they were directly over my vertebrae. The one on top of my foot was constant, pleading pain. The guy actually had to lean on my foot to keep it still because the needle was hitting so many nerves that were causing my foot to twitch with pain. I actually left that tattoo as black and white because I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting through the shading!” – crayfish (courtesy:weddingbee.com)

“They hurt more or less in different areas for sure. Healing is painful in itself too… they itch so bad it hurts and you can’t scratch so it makes me crazy.”

“The back was not that bad, I was able to finish all the way through no problem. But the chest one was almost unbearable. The chest is a bad spot.” (Courtesy: yahooanswers.com)

How it Feels?

It hurts of course, it does! For some, it’s really hard to even describe. There are areas where tattoos hurt the most. The reason is obvious. There’s a thick needle that goes faster and pierces into your skin.

It also depends on the amount of pain one can bear. What one person considers painless could be devastating to another. If you have immense patience, you won’t feel it much. It’d feel like a pin scratch to you! But, if you cannot bear even a little, getting a tattoo would be like dying for you! It could make you feel like a getting a hit at the scrotum from the bull’s horn. :D

How to get a ‘PAINLESS’ tattoo session?

Numbing Cream – the best remedy to get a painless tattoo! Yes, by using a numbing solution one can reduce the tattoo pain. And, among the myriads of numbing options, Dr. Numb is the most popular one today.  

Dr. Numb is known as the SAFEST numbing cream to be used with tattooing. It is very quick and effective in numbing the skin area undergoing tattooing. Above all, it does not interfere with the tattoo ink, so you need not to worry about the distortion of the tattoo art. Also, there are no side-effects of the cream, and will have a numbing effect of UP TO 4 HOURS!

With Dr. Numb, you need not to tolerate long hours for conquering the tattoo pain. Dr. Numb is contains Lidocaine– an effective anesthetic, that too in sufficient quantity, (about 5%) as approved by the FDA. It also contains Vitamin E which makes it to work quickly.

No matter, what skin tone or type you have – sensitive, dry, oily, black, white, etc.,  Dr. Numb cream is widely accepted. It contains the right amount of chemicals which can work on all skin types without experiencing any pain.

Dr. Numb is water resistant and does not leave its numbing effect in water. Getting a tattoo without applying Dr. Numb Cream would be really painful. Apply it well on the surface after cleaning the area with water and tapping it dry. The cream should be applied at least an hour prior to the tattoo procedure. This is what all you need to do to get numbness and painless tattoo art.

Also read: How to Get Wrinkle Free Skin At Home?

Tips to Control Tattoo Pain

·         NEVER have a tattoo during a hangover. You’ll feel more pain because the body will be a little delicate.

·         DON'T have a tattoo when you are not physically well or your tattoo pain could be a lot more painful.

·         Choose an area of your body that is less bony and has more flesh.

·         The pain tolerance is highest in the morning because of the peak levels of adrenaline. Therefore, schedule your tattoo for the morning.

USE numbing gel to get an ‘ouch less’ tattoo. If you are going to have tattoos in a sensitive place, use some of it to calm your tattoo pain.