THAT SMARTS! 4 Painful Facts About Physical Pain Let’s set the record straight: Pain is normal. Seventy-five million people in the United States face chronic or recurrent pain every year. But despite how common pain is, we still know little about it. Here are five facts you didn’t know about pain. 1. Scientists Don’t Understand Pain While pain is often the direct result of an obvious injury, sometimes pain is caused by damaged nerves, which are more difficult to pinpoint. As Kathryn Weiner, director of the American Academy of Pain Management, explains, “Pain is complex and defies our ability to establish a clear definition. Pain is a complex mixture of emotions,
3. Women Feel More Pain
A 2005 study for the Pain Management Unit at the University of Bath found women have 34 nerve fibers per square centimeter of facial skin. Meanwhile, men average just 17. Basically, women feel pain in more areas of their body for longer periods of time. 4. Back Pain Is the Most Common Pain Condition A survey from the National Institutes of Health found 26 million Americans suffer from back pain. Almost twice as many Americans suffer from back pain than migraines. Annually, we spend around $50 billion on back pain relief. What does all this mean? To start, everyone experiences pain differently. There are paths to overcoming pain, but they require patience, diligence, and the right experts on your side.
culture, experience, spirit, and sensation.” 2. Chronic Pain Shrinks the Brain
Research from Northwestern University found people with chronic backache have brains that are 11 percent smaller than individuals who don’t suffer from pain. What’s worse, experts aren’t sure why. “It is possible it’s just the stress of having to live with the condition. The neurons become overactive or tired of the activity,” suggests A. Vania Apkarian of Northwest University.
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Brussels Sprouts WITH SAUSAGE
Looking for an easy, delicious Thanksgiving side dish? This gem requires only a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 3 1/3 ounces fresh, hot Italian sausage
• 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts • 1/2 cup water • Salt and pepper
Directions:
4. When sprouts are just about done, remove cover and raise heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring just once or twice, for a couple more minutes. The liquid should evaporate, and the sprouts should start to brown. 5. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or warm. Serves 4.
1. Trim sprouts and cut in half.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, 3–5 minutes. 3. Add sprouts to skillet. Add ½ cup water. Add salt and pepper. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until just tender. Check them periodically and add a bit more water, if necessary.
Recipe courtesy of InTheKitchenWithKath.com.
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