One can hardly get through an evening television newscast without a report of some new medical finding concerning whatever disease or affliction one might have. As the George Carlin “News” routine went:
“Scientists have discovered that saliva causes stomach cancer. — PAUSE — But only after being swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.”
While some use might trickle from the knowledge that a) coffee b) red wine c) sex may possibly a) improve b) worsen c)destroy the a) brain b)pancreas c)testicles more often than not news consumers are left confused and frightened after hearing the “latest” scientific research. Add to the fact that some people tend to take such reports as a done deal then you have yourself a big mess.
My point is that for certain diseases or afflictions scientist may know a) a lot b) a little c) next to nothing even after hundreds of years of a) speculation b) folk medicine c) voodoo d) science and e) scientific drivel. Take my thumb (please) for instance.
Right now my right thumb hurts like a sonofabi**h. The reason behind my thumb hurting stems from osteoarthritis, pushed into a second stage with a bullet because I stupidly fell on a sidewalk and jammed that thumb while trying to stay off the ground. After having my hand in a cast for six weeks, the orthopedic surgeon I see for the injured thumb had me fitted for a thumb cast to wear when my thumb is hurting.
This morning, I noticed my thumb cast was not in the pocket of my laptop case where I left it yesterday. I figured that it probably fell out of that pocket inside my truck. I wish it had been that benign. Upon pulling into the parking lot at work this morning, I looked on the pavement wet with rain only to see my thumb cast just as I got out of the truck. The cast had been run over by a car and was no longer useful. Being Christmas Eve I correctly deduced that I could not score a replacement until Monday. So I guess I will be wearing an old arm and hand splint while my thumb is hurting, at least until Monday. Now, one might wonder what the hell is he talking about? First he goes on about diseases and studies and veers off on his thumb. Okay, fair enough.
Actually, I was going to discuss why my arthritic thumb hurts as badly as it does and how the reason behind it is not certain even after years of science and knowledge about arthritis.
My thumbs are my latest body areas to be beset by excruciating pain from osteoarthritis. I have had severe problems from degenerative arthritis in my cervical spine for more than 15 years. After two surgeries I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with yet more disc problems and developed major chronic pain problems to the extent I have to take methadone to control that pain. I don’t write this for sympathy. I live with my arthritis the best I can and try to take it in stride that s**t happens.
In especially the last five or so years I have noticed certain weather changes bring about more pain than at other times. The pain is most prevalent during times such as now when we are in a constant barrage of weather systems, and a never-ending battle between warm and cold air.
I experienced quite a bit of pain just prior to and after the last two hurricanes — Rita and Ike — that I saw up close and personal. I have narrowed down the prime weather phenomenon associated with my pain as low barometric pressure.
Now for no telling how long science, medicine, folk tales and few nuts thrown in there have debated the ability to “forecast” weather using arthritic joints. A recent article by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the combined entity that includes the university, hospital and health care system, points out how deeply divided the body of opinion runs when it comes to weather and arthritis pain.
“Although some evidence exists that people living in warmer, drier climates experience fewer episodes of arthritis pain, climate does not affect the course of the disease. At most, it may affect symptoms of arthritis pain.
“One theory holds that a drop in air pressure (which often accompanies cold, rainy weather) allows tissues in the body to expand to fill the space, meaning that already inflamed tissue can swell even more and cause increased arthritis pain. Other possibilities: Pain thresholds drop in colder weather; cold, rainy days affect mood; and during colder weather people are less likely to be outside and get the exercise that normally helps keep arthritis pain in check.”
So the more we know the less we really learn or vice versa. Nonetheless, the body of evidence aside I know that my thumb hurts and that the time has come to immobilize it for a little while.
Oh, and have a Merry Christmas!
