By Donna V. Scaglione
Undergoing certain medical procedures is just a part of life if we want to maintain good health. Advanced technology allows earlier detection of cancerous growths through tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Biopsies give doctors a look at cells that may be forming an unwelcome growth. And simple blood draws offer a glimpse of our heart health by revealing the amount of fat coursing through our blood vessels.
While these screenings can be life-saving and usually are brief, they also are uncomfortable if not downright painful. Consider these ways of easing yourself through some of the more common health exams many of us have to endure.
1. Take a pain reliever
Some screenings can be more painful for certain people because of their body type. For example, mammograms can be particularly uncomfortable for women with smaller breasts. According to Dr. Jennifer Shu of CNN Health, 60 percent of women complain of severe pain during mammograms, and compression of the breasts can leave some women sore for days. She recommends taking over-the-counter pain medicine afterward, as well as applying a cold pack to the sore area. Some physicians advise taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen an hour before the mammogram, she says. According to one report, applying over-the-counter 4 percent lidocaine gel to the skin may be more effective than taking oral pain relievers, she noted.
