Q. My doctor suggested I take a long-acting opioid like oxycodone to manage my pain, but I have heard so much frightening news about opioids recently that I am anxious about trying it. Are opioids a safe option for chronic pain?

A. There has been a lot of news coverage lately about opioid misuse, overdose, and addiction. You are justified in feeling apprehensive about starting on a long-acting opioid, but these drugs are appropriate for managing chronic pain. In fact, the long-acting formulations of medications like morphine and oxycodone were designed specifically for that purpose. Ask your doctor about another drug called fentanyl (Duragesic), which is applied as a patch once every three days. Before you take any of these medicines, it's really important to have a detailed conversation with your doctor about your treatment goals, how to take the medication safely, and what side effects you can expect. See your doctor for a follow-up visit within a few weeks after you start taking the opioid to make sure it's working and that the side effects aren't too burdensome.

Q. I'm 68 and I've jogged regularly for decades, but I've developed a touch of arthritis in my knees. Will continuing to run make my knees wear out faster?

A. Having mild arthritis in the knees should not stop you from running, and the running probably did not create the problem in the first place.

Ask the doctor

How can I prevent leg cramps at night?

Q. I have been having frequent foot and calf cramps at night that are quite painful. They come on when I first get into bed. What causes them? Can I do anything to prevent them?

A. Nocturnal leg cramps are common as people get older. Almost half of people over age 50 report some kind of leg cramps. Among those who have them, about 40% experience symptoms three times a week, and 5% to 10% report symptoms every night. Cramps occur when muscles in your feet, calves, or thighs tense so much that they cause pain. For reasons that aren't clear, most people experience cramps only at night. Often the only thing that brings relief is to stretch the muscles or get up and walk.

More men are having spinal fusion, but make sure this is the appropriate solution before considering it.

The decision to consider back surgery should always come after trying nonsurgical or "conservative" options. However, when the pain is persistent and clearly related to a mechanical problem in the spine, you might talk to your doctor about surgery.

Q. I have suffered from sinus headaches for years and have tried over-the-counter allergy medications without any improvement. Is there something else I can do?

A. Seasonal allergies can cause sinus congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose, but when you experience pain and pressure in your head it may be time to consider other causes. Headache is an unusual symptom for pure sinus problems, unless you also have an acute infection with yellow-green nasal discharge and fever. A daily headache over the eyes and cheeks, along with nasal congestion, is often labeled a "sinus headache," but it is much more likely to be a migraine headache.

Q. I'm planning a cross-state bike trip. Can long rides hurt my prostate? I have an enlarged prostate and take medication for it.

A. A bicycle seat is perfectly positioned to place pressure on the perineum, the area behind your scrotum. The prostate is also in this same area, which has raised questions about prostate issues with bicycling.

The top three causes are sprains and strains, herniated discs, and stenosis.

Scientists are testing a new class of drugs to treat migraine headaches. The drugs would block (inhibit) a brain protein called CGRP that sends pain messages to the body.

Some common painkillers may boost the odds of a heart problem. Use them wisely to lessen your risk.

In 2004, the drug maker Merck pulled rofecoxib (Vioxx) off the market, following revelations that the popular prescription painkiller increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes. That action triggered a closer look at drugs in the same class, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs, which are widely used to ease pain, quell inflammation, and cool fevers, include over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex).

If neck pain is keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, don't worry — there are ways to get you back to your normal routine. The ultimate goals of neck pain treatment are to relieve pain, restore function, and reduce the risk of re-injury.

A physical therapy program that emphasizes strength and stretching exercises, combined as needed with medication and relaxation therapies, often relieves neck pain over the long term. But when neck pain first strikes, here's what you can do: