Terror Attacks Increase Pain / Decreases Sleep

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Coping with disturbing images, such as the ones these rescue workers saw in downtown New York City, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. (ABCNEWS.com)

More Pain, Less Sleep

Terror Attack Increases Pain SymptomsBy Melinda T. Willis

Oct. 2 — The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have added to the chronic pain of people already suffering debilitating illness, put people at increased risk of heart attack and deprived people of much-needed sleep.

MORE ON THIS STORY

FULL COVERAGE

• America Attacked

• Blair: Victory Will be 'Ours, Not Theirs'

• Logan Airport Gets New Security Chief

• Terrorist 'Code Book' FoundWhen four airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania, the stress of it all was just the beginning of the agony for some. And while there are no concrete numbers, specialists say chronic pain sufferers may have a harder time controlling their symptoms in the wake of the terrorist attacks. "Stress makes pain worse," says Dr. Norman Marcus, director of the Norman Marcus Pain Institute in New York City. Stress has been shown to aggravate pain related to migraines, cancer, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Anxiety, uncertainty, sadness and anger can all take their toll even on bodies free of chronic pain, experts say. Dr. Lee Ann , medical director of Pain Management at Washington Hospital Center, says it's typical for her practice to get about two calls a day concerning pain. She got 10 calls within 24 hours of the attack, and six to eight calls per day over the next couple of days, she says. Chronic pain is often managed with pain medication, and can be of concern to patients who think they're losing their efficacy. But Dr. Melvin C. Gitlin, director of the Pain Management Center at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, says, that when the pain is brought on by traumatic events, "We can provide reassurance and education of patients that there is a reason for the worsening of their symptoms." Depriving the Sleep Deprived Still more people appear to be losing sleep. "Physicians are reporting that there are more people that are having sleep difficulty since Sept. 11," says Walsh, president of the National Sleep Foundation. He says physicians appear to be writing more prescriptions for sleeping pills than usual. "Whenever you have stress in your life, particularly at a traumatic level, sleep disturbance is very common," says Walsh. Walsh says that someone who loses sleep day after day not only is tired, but can find it hard to concentrate as well because memory becomes a problem. Walsh adds, "Falling asleep in dangerous or ill-advised situations [like while driving] becomes a risk." "The effects of sleep loss are cumulative and many of us operate with a sleep debt already," adds Walsh. "When we have the added sleep loss because of anxiety, then people will start having problems." Stress and the Heart Previous studies have established links between mental stress and cardiovascular events, as well. Depression, anxiety and anger have been shown to trigger heart attacks and these powerful emotions are common in the wake of disasters, especially for those already at risk of heart attack. In anticipation of such harmful stress, Dr. Lori Mosca, director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, established a post-disaster heart attack prevention program in midtown Manhattan shortly after the attacks. "We have seen significant elevations in blood pressure, shortness of breath and chest pain, which are typically seen in the wake of natural disasters," says Mosca. "We are seeing what we might have expected." And while, the data is not firm, she expects the risk of heart attack related to trauma to persist for up to six months following the event, not just in Manhattan, but elsewhere, as well. She says people report they are drinking more, exercising less because they are watching TV, and that they are stressed and depressed, all of which may lead to weight loss, or overeating for comfort, which can contribute to weight gain — behaviors that can have potentially harmful long-term impact on the heart. Stress Elimination Tips

To help solve physical problems related to stress, doctors recommend the following: Talk to a physician to address the cause of your stress. To help with sleep, stay alert during the day, and talk to your physician about ways of getting rest at night. Avoid harmful behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking. Maintain positive behaviors like exercise. Even getting up to walk to the TV instead of just using the remote control can help. Continue taking prescribed medications.

Coping with disturbing images, such as the ones these rescue workers saw in downtown New York City, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. (ABCNEWS.com)

More Pain, Less Sleep

Terror Attack Increases Pain SymptomsBy Melinda T. Willis

Oct. 2 — The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have added to the chronic pain of people already suffering debilitating illness, put people at increased risk of heart attack and deprived people of much-needed sleep.

MORE ON THIS STORY

FULL COVERAGE

• America Attacked

• Blair: Victory Will be 'Ours, Not Theirs'

• Logan Airport Gets New Security Chief

• Terrorist 'Code Book' FoundWhen four airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania, the stress of it all was just the beginning of the agony for some. And while there are no concrete numbers, specialists say chronic pain sufferers may have a harder time controlling their symptoms in the wake of the terrorist attacks. "Stress makes pain worse," says Dr. Norman Marcus, director of the Norman Marcus Pain Institute in New York City. Stress has been shown to aggravate pain related to migraines, cancer, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Anxiety, uncertainty, sadness and anger can all take their toll even on bodies free of chronic pain, experts say. Dr. Lee Ann , medical director of Pain Management at Washington Hospital Center, says it's typical for her practice to get about two calls a day concerning pain. She got 10 calls within 24 hours of the attack, and six to eight calls per day over the next couple of days, she says. Chronic pain is often managed with pain medication, and can be of concern to patients who think they're losing their efficacy. But Dr. Melvin C. Gitlin, director of the Pain Management Center at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, says, that when the pain is brought on by traumatic events, "We can provide reassurance and education of patients that there is a reason for the worsening of their symptoms." Depriving the Sleep Deprived Still more people appear to be losing sleep. "Physicians are reporting that there are more people that are having sleep difficulty since Sept. 11," says Walsh, president of the National Sleep Foundation. He says physicians appear to be writing more prescriptions for sleeping pills than usual. "Whenever you have stress in your life, particularly at a traumatic level, sleep disturbance is very common," says Walsh. Walsh says that someone who loses sleep day after day not only is tired, but can find it hard to concentrate as well because memory becomes a problem. Walsh adds, "Falling asleep in dangerous or ill-advised situations [like while driving] becomes a risk." "The effects of sleep loss are cumulative and many of us operate with a sleep debt already," adds Walsh. "When we have the added sleep loss because of anxiety, then people will start having problems." Stress and the Heart Previous studies have established links between mental stress and cardiovascular events, as well. Depression, anxiety and anger have been shown to trigger heart attacks and these powerful emotions are common in the wake of disasters, especially for those already at risk of heart attack. In anticipation of such harmful stress, Dr. Lori Mosca, director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, established a post-disaster heart attack prevention program in midtown Manhattan shortly after the attacks. "We have seen significant elevations in blood pressure, shortness of breath and chest pain, which are typically seen in the wake of natural disasters," says Mosca. "We are seeing what we might have expected." And while, the data is not firm, she expects the risk of heart attack related to trauma to persist for up to six months following the event, not just in Manhattan, but elsewhere, as well. She says people report they are drinking more, exercising less because they are watching TV, and that they are stressed and depressed, all of which may lead to weight loss, or overeating for comfort, which can contribute to weight gain — behaviors that can have potentially harmful long-term impact on the heart. Stress Elimination Tips

To help solve physical problems related to stress, doctors recommend the following: Talk to a physician to address the cause of your stress. To help with sleep, stay alert during the day, and talk to your physician about ways of getting rest at night. Avoid harmful behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking. Maintain positive behaviors like exercise. Even getting up to walk to the TV instead of just using the remote control can help. Continue taking prescribed medications.

Coping with disturbing images, such as the ones these rescue workers saw in downtown New York City, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. (ABCNEWS.com)

More Pain, Less Sleep

Terror Attack Increases Pain SymptomsBy Melinda T. Willis

Oct. 2 — The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have added to the chronic pain of people already suffering debilitating illness, put people at increased risk of heart attack and deprived people of much-needed sleep.

MORE ON THIS STORY

FULL COVERAGE

• America Attacked

• Blair: Victory Will be 'Ours, Not Theirs'

• Logan Airport Gets New Security Chief

• Terrorist 'Code Book' FoundWhen four airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania, the stress of it all was just the beginning of the agony for some. And while there are no concrete numbers, specialists say chronic pain sufferers may have a harder time controlling their symptoms in the wake of the terrorist attacks. "Stress makes pain worse," says Dr. Norman Marcus, director of the Norman Marcus Pain Institute in New York City. Stress has been shown to aggravate pain related to migraines, cancer, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Anxiety, uncertainty, sadness and anger can all take their toll even on bodies free of chronic pain, experts say. Dr. Lee Ann , medical director of Pain Management at Washington Hospital Center, says it's typical for her practice to get about two calls a day concerning pain. She got 10 calls within 24 hours of the attack, and six to eight calls per day over the next couple of days, she says. Chronic pain is often managed with pain medication, and can be of concern to patients who think they're losing their efficacy. But Dr. Melvin C. Gitlin, director of the Pain Management Center at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, says, that when the pain is brought on by traumatic events, "We can provide reassurance and education of patients that there is a reason for the worsening of their symptoms." Depriving the Sleep Deprived Still more people appear to be losing sleep. "Physicians are reporting that there are more people that are having sleep difficulty since Sept. 11," says Walsh, president of the National Sleep Foundation. He says physicians appear to be writing more prescriptions for sleeping pills than usual. "Whenever you have stress in your life, particularly at a traumatic level, sleep disturbance is very common," says Walsh. Walsh says that someone who loses sleep day after day not only is tired, but can find it hard to concentrate as well because memory becomes a problem. Walsh adds, "Falling asleep in dangerous or ill-advised situations [like while driving] becomes a risk." "The effects of sleep loss are cumulative and many of us operate with a sleep debt already," adds Walsh. "When we have the added sleep loss because of anxiety, then people will start having problems." Stress and the Heart Previous studies have established links between mental stress and cardiovascular events, as well. Depression, anxiety and anger have been shown to trigger heart attacks and these powerful emotions are common in the wake of disasters, especially for those already at risk of heart attack. In anticipation of such harmful stress, Dr. Lori Mosca, director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, established a post-disaster heart attack prevention program in midtown Manhattan shortly after the attacks. "We have seen significant elevations in blood pressure, shortness of breath and chest pain, which are typically seen in the wake of natural disasters," says Mosca. "We are seeing what we might have expected." And while, the data is not firm, she expects the risk of heart attack related to trauma to persist for up to six months following the event, not just in Manhattan, but elsewhere, as well. She says people report they are drinking more, exercising less because they are watching TV, and that they are stressed and depressed, all of which may lead to weight loss, or overeating for comfort, which can contribute to weight gain — behaviors that can have potentially harmful long-term impact on the heart. Stress Elimination Tips

To help solve physical problems related to stress, doctors recommend the following: Talk to a physician to address the cause of your stress. To help with sleep, stay alert during the day, and talk to your physician about ways of getting rest at night. Avoid harmful behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking. Maintain positive behaviors like exercise. Even getting up to walk to the TV instead of just using the remote control can help. Continue taking prescribed medications.

Coping with disturbing images, such as the ones these rescue workers saw in downtown New York City, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. (ABCNEWS.com)

More Pain, Less Sleep

Terror Attack Increases Pain SymptomsBy Melinda T. Willis

Oct. 2 — The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have added to the chronic pain of people already suffering debilitating illness, put people at increased risk of heart attack and deprived people of much-needed sleep.

MORE ON THIS STORY

FULL COVERAGE

• America Attacked

• Blair: Victory Will be 'Ours, Not Theirs'

• Logan Airport Gets New Security Chief

• Terrorist 'Code Book' FoundWhen four airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania, the stress of it all was just the beginning of the agony for some. And while there are no concrete numbers, specialists say chronic pain sufferers may have a harder time controlling their symptoms in the wake of the terrorist attacks. "Stress makes pain worse," says Dr. Norman Marcus, director of the Norman Marcus Pain Institute in New York City. Stress has been shown to aggravate pain related to migraines, cancer, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Anxiety, uncertainty, sadness and anger can all take their toll even on bodies free of chronic pain, experts say. Dr. Lee Ann , medical director of Pain Management at Washington Hospital Center, says it's typical for her practice to get about two calls a day concerning pain. She got 10 calls within 24 hours of the attack, and six to eight calls per day over the next couple of days, she says. Chronic pain is often managed with pain medication, and can be of concern to patients who think they're losing their efficacy. But Dr. Melvin C. Gitlin, director of the Pain Management Center at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, says, that when the pain is brought on by traumatic events, "We can provide reassurance and education of patients that there is a reason for the worsening of their symptoms." Depriving the Sleep Deprived Still more people appear to be losing sleep. "Physicians are reporting that there are more people that are having sleep difficulty since Sept. 11," says Walsh, president of the National Sleep Foundation. He says physicians appear to be writing more prescriptions for sleeping pills than usual. "Whenever you have stress in your life, particularly at a traumatic level, sleep disturbance is very common," says Walsh. Walsh says that someone who loses sleep day after day not only is tired, but can find it hard to concentrate as well because memory becomes a problem. Walsh adds, "Falling asleep in dangerous or ill-advised situations [like while driving] becomes a risk." "The effects of sleep loss are cumulative and many of us operate with a sleep debt already," adds Walsh. "When we have the added sleep loss because of anxiety, then people will start having problems." Stress and the Heart Previous studies have established links between mental stress and cardiovascular events, as well. Depression, anxiety and anger have been shown to trigger heart attacks and these powerful emotions are common in the wake of disasters, especially for those already at risk of heart attack. In anticipation of such harmful stress, Dr. Lori Mosca, director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, established a post-disaster heart attack prevention program in midtown Manhattan shortly after the attacks. "We have seen significant elevations in blood pressure, shortness of breath and chest pain, which are typically seen in the wake of natural disasters," says Mosca. "We are seeing what we might have expected." And while, the data is not firm, she expects the risk of heart attack related to trauma to persist for up to six months following the event, not just in Manhattan, but elsewhere, as well. She says people report they are drinking more, exercising less because they are watching TV, and that they are stressed and depressed, all of which may lead to weight loss, or overeating for comfort, which can contribute to weight gain — behaviors that can have potentially harmful long-term impact on the heart. Stress Elimination Tips

To help solve physical problems related to stress, doctors recommend the following: Talk to a physician to address the cause of your stress. To help with sleep, stay alert during the day, and talk to your physician about ways of getting rest at night. Avoid harmful behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking. Maintain positive behaviors like exercise. Even getting up to walk to the TV instead of just using the remote control can help. Continue taking prescribed medications.