Bush Beats Vol-5, No-1, 2019

Dysmenorrhea – also known as painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin − is an extremely common gynecological complaint among women of reproductive age. In fact, it represents one of the most common causes of pelvic pain in young women and adolescents. It negatively affects women’s quality-of-life, and is the leading cause of absence from school and work among women in the reproductive age.1-4 Painful abdominal cramps, occurring with menstruation, are frequently accompanied by general premenstrual symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, and headache. Importantly, dysmenorrhea is also associated with other pain conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. It has been found that women with dysmenorrhea, compared to those without, have enhanced pain sensitivity, which may render them more vulnerable to develop other chronic pain conditions later in life.

Cough is an essential defensive reflex that aids in clearance of secretions and particulate matter from the airways and ensures protection from aspiration of foreign materials that might occur subsequent to aspiration or inhalation of particulates, pathogens, accumulated secretions, postnasal drip, inflammation and its associated mediators. Under usual conditions, cough serves a vital protective role in the airways and lungs, but it is also one of the most common symptoms that lead patients to consult a primary care practitioner.1,2 Currently, cough is a growing medical, economic and social problem. The incidence of this symptom in adult population ranges from 5 to 40%, depending on environmental characteristics, seasonal variations and habit of smoking.

Based on the duration of symptoms, cough can be classified into acute, sub-acute and chronic cough. Acute cough is the one that resolves usually within 3 weeks, while sub-acute lasts for 4-7 weeks. Chronic cough is defined as an episode of cough that persists for more than 8 weeks. Finding the etiology for chronic cough is a diagnostic challenge for most of the primary care physicians.4 In spite of adherence to an established protocol in the diagnosis and management of chronic cough, majority of patients find insignificant improvements in symptoms.