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Pain Relief: Complete Guide to Managing Pain Effectively

Pain Relief: Complete Guide to Managing Pain Effectively

Pain can interfere with daily life — whether it’s caused by an injury, chronic condition, or occasional flare-ups. At mygenericpharmacy.com, we believe in providing clear, reliable information to help you make informed choices about pain relief options.

In this guide, you’ll learn about different pain relief approaches, how they work, when they’re used, and how to choose the right solution for you.


What Is Pain?

Pain is your body’s way of signaling injury or stress. It can be:

  • Acute pain — sudden and short-term, such as after an injury
  • Chronic pain — ongoing pain that lasts weeks, months, or even years

For many people, effective pain relief means combining medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.


Types of Pain Relief Medications

Pain relief medications work in different ways. Some reduce inflammation, others target nerve pain, and some relieve muscle tension or headaches. Here are some common options available:

💊 Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relief

Anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce swelling and pain — especially useful for arthritis and muscular pain:


🧠 Nerve Pain & Neuropathic Pain Relief

Some pain medications specifically target nerve-related pain rather than musculoskeletal pain:


🚑 Migraine & Headache Relief

For acute migraine pain, targeted medications can help reduce symptoms quickly:


How Pain Relief Works

Different pain relief medicines work in different ways:

  • NSAIDs such as Bextra, Celebrex, and Naprosyn reduce inflammation and block pain signals.
  • Neuropathic agents like Lyrica calm nerve activity that causes pain.
  • Migraine-specific medications like Imitrex narrow blood vessels and block pain pathways in the brain.

This means choosing the right pain relief depends on the type and source of pain.


Non-Drug Pain Relief Options

Medication isn’t the only option. Many people find relief through:

  • Physical therapy
  • Hot & cold therapy
  • Stretching and exercise
  • Massage

Combining medication with lifestyle therapy often produces the best results.


When to Seek Medical Advice

Persistent, worsening, or unexplained pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Severe symptoms like numbness, weakness, fever, or sudden inability to move may signal something serious.


Safety and Side Effects

All medications come with potential side effects. NSAIDs can sometimes cause:

  • Upset stomach
  • Kidney irritation
  • Increased bleeding risk

Neuropathic pain medicines can cause:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weight changes

Always follow dosage instructions and talk with a healthcare professional before combining medications.


Choosing the Right Pain Relief

Effective pain relief depends on:

  • Type of pain
  • Severity
  • Duration
  • Your overall health

If you’re not sure which option fits your situation, visiting our Pain Relief category is a great place to start.


Conclusion

Pain doesn’t have to control your life. With the right information and options like:

  • Bextra (anti-inflammatory)
  • Celebrex (for chronic pain)
  • Lyrica (nerve pain)
  • Imitrex (migraine relief)
  • Naprosyn (inflammation & pain)

— You’re empowered to find relief that works for you.

Visit their individual pages above to learn more and choose the best option based on your needs.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Although both conditions involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, they differ in location, symptoms, complications, and treatment approach.

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Inflammation may occur in patches and can extend deep into the bowel wall.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum. Unlike Crohn’s disease, inflammation in UC is continuous and limited to the inner lining of the large intestine.

Crohn’s Disease vs Ulcerative Colitis: Comparison Table

FeatureCrohn’s DiseaseUlcerative Colitis
Affected AreaAnywhere in the GI tractColon and rectum only
Pattern of InflammationPatchy (skip lesions)Continuous
Depth of InflammationAll layers of bowel wallInner lining only
Common SymptomsAbdominal pain, diarrhea, weight lossBloody diarrhea, urgency, rectal bleeding
Risk of FistulasHighRare
Surgery OutcomeNot curativeCan be curative

Symptoms: How Do They Differ?

Crohn’s Disease Symptoms

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Weight loss and malnutrition
  • Fatigue
  • Perianal disease

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

  • Bloody or mucus-filled stools
  • Urgent bowel movements
  • Rectal pain
  • Fatigue and anemia
  • Abdominal discomfort

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of both Crohn’s disease and UC remains unknown. However, common contributing factors include:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Immune system dysfunction
  • Environmental triggers
  • Gut microbiome imbalance

These conditions are also linked to other autoimmune disorders.

Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease and UC

Doctors use similar tests to diagnose both conditions, including:

  • Blood tests for inflammation and anemia
  • Stool tests
  • Colonoscopy with biopsy
  • CT scan or MRI imaging

Treatment Options: Crohn’s vs UC

Treatment goals for both conditions focus on reducing inflammation, managing symptoms, and maintaining remission.

Medications Commonly Used

Surgery Differences

Surgery may be required for severe cases. In ulcerative colitis, removal of the colon can eliminate the disease. In Crohn’s disease, surgery can relieve complications but does not cure the condition.

Living With Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis

Both conditions require long-term management through medication, diet adjustments, and regular medical monitoring. Lifestyle changes, stress management, and probiotics for gut health may help reduce flare-ups.

Conclusion

While Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis share similarities, understanding their differences is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Early medical care and personalized treatment plans can significantly improve long-term outcomes for people with IBD.

Effective Coping Techniques for Anxiety

Effective Coping Techniques for Anxiety

Deep breathing practices can help manage immediate feelings of anxiety by slowing your heart rate and bringing calm. The 4-7-8 technique and breathing in for 4 counts and out for 4 counts for 5 minutes total are specific methods recommended.

Physical activity and regular exercise have both immediate and long-term benefits for anxiety management, including improved sleep, balanced appetite, mental clarity, and overall health. Even brief activities like 30-60 seconds of squats, pushups, or jumping jacks can help boost mood and calm the mind. Journaling can help identify anxiety triggers and record effective coping strategies, with research showing that regular emotion-led journaling may help reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of distress.

Stress is the body’s natural response to a real or perceived threat. Anxiety is a symptom of the stress response and a natural process that every person experiences at one time or another. When the stress response is constantly activated, anxiety may go from an occasional symptom to a chronic condition.

Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term for a group of mental health conditions with slightly different manifestations and triggers, but with anxiety as the core symptom. Managing chronic or intense anxiety may require professional support, but developing certain coping skills is also essential.

5 techniques for coping with anxiety in the moment: These tips may help you relieve anxiety symptoms as they arise and before they become more intense. They may require some practice, but can become important tools in managing anxiety.

Practice focused, deep breathing.
Deep breathing practices may help you manage immediate feelings of anxiety.
Try breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts for 5 minutes total.
This type of breathing slows your heart rate, which in turn can help bring calm.
The 4-7-8 technique is another popular breathing pattern for immediate anxiety relief.
Discover eight breathing techniques for anxiety management.

Use aromatherapy
Some research suggests that aromatherapy can help relieve anxiety in some settings. Aromatherapy practitioners and supporters often report the benefits of the practice. You can use essential oil form, incense, or a candle at your workstation or bedroom. Natural scents like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood can be soothing to the senses and help bring calm quickly.

Move more and exercise.
The stress response involves a rise in some hormones, such as cortisol. Physical activity offers many benefits, including hormone balance.
Stepping out of your thoughts by focusing on physical sensations and your body, even if momentarily, may also help with anxiety management.
Low-impact exercises like brisk walking, yoga, and tai chi can help you reduce stress and anxiety symptoms. Even a little bit of physical activity can boost your moodTrusted Source and calm your mind. For example, try doing squats, pushups, or jumping jacks for 30 to 60 seconds.

Use grounding techniques.
Similar to physical activity, grounding techniques help you connect with physical sensations, taking your focus away from the stressor.
The 333 rule is an example of a grounding technique. It involves taking a few minutes to identify three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and three things you can touch. Try to spend at least 1 minute on each thing you see, hear, or touch before moving on to the next.

6 strategies for managing anxiety long-term

  • If you have anxiety that interferes with your life, consider working with a mental health care professional. They can help identify the root cause of your anxiety and work with you in developing a long-term plan based on your needs and lifestyle.
  • A mental health care professional may also suggest some of these anxiety management strategies, which you can use with them or on your own.
  • Identify and learn to manage specific triggers.
  • Some triggers or stressors may be obvious to you, and some may be less so. You may find yourself experiencing anxiety and be unsure about the cause.
  • Common anxiety triggers may include:
  • work deadlines or changes
  • relationship conflict
  • withdrawal from substances or certain medications
  • side effects of some medications
  • association with a past adverse experience
  • past trauma that led to hypervigilance
  • chronic pain and other health symptoms
  • caffeine intake
  • tobacco use
  • Triggers are personal and unique. What may cause anxiety for you may not for the next person. That’s why it’s important to learn to identify those situations that may be triggers for your anxiety.

Learn more about medications.
If you take medications, ask the prescribing healthcare professional if anxiety may be a side effect of those. Even if you’ve stopped taking medications, anxiety may result from withdrawal or similar physiological responses. Having this conversation with a doctor may help you identify the root cause of anxiety and the next steps for relief.

On the other hand, if you have severe symptoms of anxiety and feel they interfere with work, school, relationships, or life in general, consider asking a healthcare professional if medication can help.

The most common anxiety medications include:

  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • benzodiazepines
  • tricyclic antidepressants

Practice daily meditation
Building a daily mindful meditation practice may help train your brain to manage anxious thoughts when they arise. It could also help you prevent anxiety in some situations by reducing the anxiety response to known stressors. If sitting still and concentrating is difficult, you can try walking meditation or yoga. Guided imagery may also help you manage anxiety.

Keep a journal
Writing down your thoughts and emotions in a journal every day can help you identify triggers and record effective coping strategies. The process of writing down thoughts itself can be calming for some people. Journaling can also have long-term benefits. A small 2018 study suggests that regular emotion-led journaling can help reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of distress.

Try to socialize more.
Although everyone is different, and some people experience social anxiety, spending quality time with trusted friends and family may help you prevent and manage anxiety symptoms. Socialization can relieve stress, encourage feelings of laughter and togetherness, and decrease a sense of loneliness. Research has shown that social connectedness can help you become more resilient to stress in the long run.

Stay active
Physical activity can help you manage anxiety. But its effect is not only immediate; regular activity has an accumulative effect that can have a lasting impact. Benefits include improved sleep, balanced appetite, mental clarity, and overall health. Studies show that exercise, in particular, can have a lasting positive impact on managing anxiety.

Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-cope-with-anxiety#long-term-coping-strategies
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/11-tips-for-coping-with-an-anxiety-disorder
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6392-stress-coping-with-lifes-stressors

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on the link below
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/anxiety

Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes swelling, or inflammation, in part of your digestive system. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, but most often it involves your small intestine and colon (large intestine). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are part of a group of conditions called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There’s no cure for Crohn’s, but treatment can ease your symptoms and help you enjoy a full, active life.

Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease 

People with Crohn’s disease can have intense symptoms, followed by periods of no symptoms that may last weeks or years. The symptoms depend on the severity and location of the disease.

What are the first signs of Crohn’s disease?

Early signs of Crohn’s disease can easily be mistaken for other conditions. They may include:

  • Frequent diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and tenderness
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blood in your poop

Other symptoms of Crohn’s disease

When it advances, you might notice:

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Long-lasting diarrhea, often bloody and with mucus or pus
  • Weight loss

Crohn’s disease and mouth sores

Crohn’s disease can cause painful mouth sores, which typically appear on the inner cheeks, lips, or tongue. These sores can be a sign of an active Crohn’s disease flare.

Types of Crohn’s Disease
There are five types of Crohn’s based on which part of your digestive tract is affected.

  • Ileocolitis, the most common form of Crohn’s disease, involves your colon and the last part of your small intestine (called the ileum or terminal ileum).
  • Crohn’s colitis or granulomatous colitis affects only your colon.
  • Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease affects your stomach and the first part of your small intestine (called the duodenum).
  • Ileitis affects your ileum.
  • Jejunoileitis causes small areas of inflammation in the upper half of your small intestine (called the jejunum).

Causes of Crohn’s Disease
Doctors aren’t sure what causes Crohn’s disease. Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can play a role. Some people think of it as an autoimmune disease, causing your body to attack its own tissues. Your body may also be prone to more severe-than-normal responses to harmless viruses, bacteria, or food in your gut. 

Crohn’s Disease Risk Factors

A few things can make you more likely to get Crohn’s:
Genes. Crohn’s disease is often inherited. About 20% of people who have it have a close relative with either Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.
Age. Though it can affect people of all ages, it’s mostly an illness of the young. Most people are diagnosed before age 30, but the disease can affect people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, or even later in life.
Smoking. This is one risk factor that’s easy to control. Smoking can make Crohn’s more serious and raise the odds that you’ll need surgery.
Where do you live? People living in urban areas or industrialized countries are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease epidemiology
The disease is mostly common in North America and Western Europe, where it affects 100-300 out of every 100,000 people. In the U.S., more than half a million people have it. Researchers think cases are increasing in the U.S. and some other nations.
Crohn’s disease seems to affect men and women at similar rates. People of northern European or central European Jewish (Ashkenazi) descent are at the highest risk.

Crohn’s Disease Treatment

There’s no single treatment that’s right for everyone with Crohn’s disease. Your treatment will depend on what’s causing your symptoms and how serious they are. Your doctor will try to reduce the inflammation in your digestive tract and keep you from having complications.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Examples include mesalamine (Asacol, Lialda, Pentasa), olsalazine (Dipentum), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Side effects include upset stomach, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and rash. These medicines are used only in mild cases.

CorticosteroidsThese are a more powerful type of anti-inflammatory drug. Examples include budesonide (Entocort) and prednisone or methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). If you take these for a long time, side effects can be serious and may include bone thinning, muscle loss, skin problems, and a higher risk of infection.

Immune system modifiers (immunomodulators), such as azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan) and methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). It can take up to six months for these drugs to work. They also bring a higher risk of infections that could be life-threatening.

AntibioticsThese drugs, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and metronidazole (Flagyl), are used to fight infections in your digestive system caused by Crohn’s disease. Metronidazole can cause a metallic taste in your mouth, nausea, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet. Ciprofloxacin can cause nausea and tenderness in your Achilles tendon.

Reference:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9357-crohns-disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease/

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on the link below
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/products/disease/inflammation

Walking 100 minutes per day may help lower risk of chronic back pain

Walking 100 minutes per day may help lower risk of chronic back pain

Yes, walking for about 100 minutes per day (roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes) may help lower the risk of chronic back pain, according to research. Here’s why:

How Walking Helps Prevent Back Pain:

  1. Strengthens Core & Back Muscles
    • Walking engages core muscles, improving posture and spinal support.
    • Helps stabilize the lower back, reducing strain on vertebrae and discs.
  2. Improves Spinal Circulation & Nutrient Delivery
    • Movement promotes blood flow to spinal structures, keeping discs healthy.
    • Reduces stiffness and inflammation that can contribute to pain.
  3. Promotes Weight Management
    • Excess weight (especially around the abdomen) increases back strain.
    • Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing pressure on the spine.
  4. Encourages Mobility & Flexibility
    • Sedentary lifestyles weaken muscles and stiffen joints.
    • Regular walking keeps the spine mobile and prevents degenerative issues.
  5. Releases Endorphins (Natural Pain Relievers)
    • Physical activity reduces pain perception and stress-related tension.

Research Supporting This:

  • A 2024 study in The Lancet found that adults who walked 80–100 minutes daily had a 43% lower risk of chronic back pain over 3 years compared to sedentary individuals.
  • Another study in JAMA Network Open (2023) linked 10,000+ steps/day (about 80–100 minutes of walking) to reduced lower back pain episodes.

Tips for Effective Walking:

  • Maintain good posture (stand tall, engage core, avoid slouching).
  • Wear supportive shoes to reduce impact on the spine.
  • Start gradually if new to walking (e.g., 30 mins/day, then increase).
  • Break it up (e.g., two 50-minute walks instead of one long session).

Who Should Be Cautious?

  • Those with existing severe back pain or spinal conditions should consult a doctor before increasing activity.
  • If walking worsens pain, consider low-impact alternatives (swimming, cycling).

Walking 100 minutes per day is a simple, cost-free way to strengthen your back, improve spinal health, and reduce chronic pain risk. If that’s too much, even 30–60 minutes daily can provide benefits. Consistency matters more than speed or distance!

Reference:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/walking-100-minutes-per-day-may-help-lower-risk-chronic-back-pain

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/13/health/walking-back-pain-prevention-wellness

https://www.onlymyhealth.com/100-minutes-of-walking-a-day-may-cut-chronic-back-pain-risks-expert-reacts-to-study-12977833000

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on below link

https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/muscle-weakness

How to understand chronic pain

How to understand chronic pain

In recent years, chronic pain has gained recognition as a medical condition in and of itself. This is because chronic pain is a disease process that is so complicated that we are only now beginning to understand what triggers it. However, what does it feel like to live with chronic pain, and how does the body and brain cope with it? Some of the terms people frequently use to describe their pain include dull, aching, gnawing, burning, sharp, shooting, and piercing.

Imagine having to deal with some of this every day until you have no idea what it’s like to go about your day without this constant pain that gradually saps your physical and mental stamina. For many people who suffer from chronic pain, that is their reality. It could be an internal struggle concealed behind gritted teeth and fake smiles, and some days might be fantastic and some days awful. However, how does chronic pain become, well, chronic? In the most recent episode of our Pain Awareness Month-themed In Conversation podcast, Medical News Today delves into the science of chronic pain with Dr. Tony L. and Hilary Guite. As Joel Nelson, a longtime patient and advocate for psoriatic disease and arthritis talks about his own experience with pain.

Because chronic pain is not life-threatening, it is frequently disregarded as merely a symptom of a more serious issue or not given the attention it deserves. Chronic pain, however, has a social as well as a personal cost. According to studies, individuals who experience chronic pain may find it difficult to carry out daily tasks and activities and may also have worse general health. Chronic pain sufferers may also experience unemployment or unstable employment. Chronic pain was not recognized or diagnosed until 2018 when the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) assigned it a code in the draft version of the new ICD-11 coding system. Chronic primary pain and chronic secondary pain are the two new classifications of chronic pain made by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to this classification, primary pain is defined as pain that cannot be attributed to or explained by another medical condition. Fibromyalgia and persistent primary low back pain are a couple of examples. A widespread pain disorder that affects at least four to five body parts and lasts for at least three months, but typically longer, fibromyalgia varies from person to person. Since there is no other explanation for the pain, Dr. Dot Guite clarified that it is a form of primary chronic pain. Conversely, secondary pain results from or is a result of an underlying medical condition. This would include pain from ulcerative colitis, cancer, or arthritis.

I began experiencing chronic pain when I was ten years old. And ever since, Joel Nelson told MNT’s In Conversation, “Chronic pain has kind of been an intermittent part of my life right up until the present day.”. Joel, who is currently 38 years old, has experienced chronic pain for several decades. My first encounter with pain was when I felt a burning sensation in my hip that resembled gravel. And it just got worse the more I used the joint; eventually, he said, I was losing some of my mobility. At that point, like most people do, he made the decision to ask for assistance. Joel claimed that noise is the best way to characterize his ongoing pain. I have always referred to it as noise because, on the days when the pain is severe, I simply lose the capacity to take in additional information and manage several tasks at once, he said.

In light of my current condition, I believe that the experience’s fluidity is its most significant lesson. In the end, my mobility and limits can vary from anything to the point where I can do more than just walk, and I might be able to run and cycle a little bit like I do now, to possibly needing crutches again the following week. Pain dictates a lot of that. I get a lot of stiffness in the mornings from arthritis, but the pain is what keeps me from doing things. Joel said it’s difficult to predict what will happen next with his chronic pain, likening it to a series of chapters. Researchers have discovered that a gateway receptor known as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may be a governing factor behind the development of chronic pain from acute pain.

We are aware that signaling that is typically linked to what is known as innate immunity can be activated in response to various types of tissue or nerve damage. And the toll-like receptor is one of the mediators of that. It turns out that although those receptors are typically present to detect the presence of foreign bugs, like E. coli, those insects contain a substance known as lipopolysaccharide, or LPS, in their cell membrane. According to Dr. Dot Yaksh, bacteria are the source of that, which is not typically present in our system. You don’t need to acquire it; you are born with it. It is constantly present. Over the past few years, we’ve discovered that your body releases a variety of substances that will activate those same toll-like receptors, he continued.

The central immune system may be primed for elevated pain states by toll-like receptors. The body begins to release products from inflammatory cells in response to damaging stimuli, stressors, or tissue damage, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract or microbiome. According to him, when this occurs, the products that are expelled from our bodies can activate toll-like receptors. One such receptor is called TLR4, and it is found on both sensory neurons and inflammatory cells. Dr. According to Yaksh, TLR4 activation makes the nervous system more reactive but doesn’t actually cause as much pain. In addition to this priming, Dr. Dot Guite noted that if additional stressors are present at the time, such as poor diet or psychological distress, this can trigger a series of events that can accelerate the transition to chronic pain.

TLR4 activation initiates a cascade, a series of events that will result in increased expression of numerous receptors and channels capable of enhancing the system’s response. When this occurs, the initial tissue damage is followed by this improved response. It only makes the system more reactive; it doesn’t really cause the pain condition. According to him, Joel’s circumstances are consistent with the idea that people can experience different kinds of pain. That can be made worse by “psychological” stressors, which can intensify a pain state that may actually have a physiological component that we don’t fully comprehend, he continued.

Dr. Yaksh, for instance, proposed that Joel’s condition was likely made worse by the stress (and joy) of becoming a father and all the other factors involved, making it more difficult to manage the pain. He emphasized that this did not lessen the reality of the pain. The transition from one state to another, which we refer to as an acute to chronic transition or the chronification of the pain state, was established by Joel’s pain condition, the events that were connected to the psoriatic diagnosis, and other factors, he explained. I believe that there was likely a very strong, emotional component to his situation.