Researchers found that brain structures associated with rewarding experiences are also activated by painful stimuli, leading to a better understanding of pain's emotional component. This study may lead to the development of new approaches to diagnosing and treating chronic pain.
A study by UCSF found that cancer patients often prefer to experience pain over the side effects of opioid analgesics. Effective pain management requires repeated assessment and adjustments in dosage, according to experts.
A new UCSF study found that many cancer patients are not taking around-the-clock and as-needed pain medicines as prescribed by their physicians. This results in inadequate pain relief, with only 29.2% of patients receiving both long-acting and short-acting opioids.
Researchers found that morphine significantly relieved both types of pain, while lidocaine only relieved stump pain. The study suggests different therapeutic sensitivities and mechanisms for stump and phantom pain. Morphine's action on both peripheral and central nervous systems may provide new treatment options.
Studies reveal a connection between neuronal plasticity and chronic neuropathic pain. Gene therapy targeting protein kinase C shows promise in reducing sensitivity to pain. Such findings may lead to innovative treatments for persistent and debilitating pain conditions.
A unique experiment studying chemical activity in human brains while experiencing sustained pain revealed long-suspected connections between pain-dampening changes in brain chemistry and sensory/emotional responses. The findings may help researchers better understand prolonged pain and find more effective ways to relieve it.
A protein called NR2B makes mice more aware of minor pain for longer periods of time, a phenomenon that mimics what happens in people with chronic pain. The researchers suggest that interfering with NR2B in humans might be a strategy for treating chronic pain.
A recent study by OHSU researchers found that 96% of physicians and nurses believe increased family expectations for pain management contributed to the observed increase in family reports of pain among dying patients. Additionally, decreased physician prescribing of pain medications (66%) and reduced nurse administration of pain medica...
The NIH has awarded a grant to MetaPhore Pharmaceuticals to study potential new treatments for acute and chronic pain. The research aims to develop metal-based compounds that mimic the body's natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage, with the goal of creating non-opiate drugs for pain management.
A recent survey in the Netherlands reveals that chronic pain affects approximately 18% of the population, with frequent problems including lower back pain and abdominal pain. The study highlights the need for more research into the effects of treatment methods, as current evidence is often inadequate or contradictory.
Researchers report a case where cluster headache symptoms appeared without head pain, suggesting primary symptoms. The study follows a 22-year-old man who experienced nasal stuffiness and pupil contraction in his left eye daily for weeks, without pain.
Research shows that newborns who experience tissue injury and pain may develop a permanent rewiring of their nervous system, leading to increased sensitivity to pain later in life. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effects of early pain exposure on adult pain pathways.
A new OHSU study shows 54% of family members reported moderate or severe pain for dying patients in the last week of life, a sharp increase from 1997. Researchers attribute possible explanations to changes in pain treatment options and physician prescribing practices.
Dr. Bushnell's laboratory uses human brain imaging techniques to study pain, finding four key brain regions involved in the experience. Activity in these regions is linked to emotional responses to pain, suggesting that psychological state can alter its perception.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that thinking of a favorite sexual fantasy can decrease pain perception. The study suggests that counterbalancing pain with a strong positive emotional response, such as those experienced during sexual fantasies, may be a simple and cost-free way to lessen pain in various situations.
A study of over 5,000 individuals found that anxiety and depression may cause up to one-quarter of all chest pain cases in young adults. The research suggests that individuals with psychiatric disorders or significant symptoms are more likely to experience chest pain.
Scientists have relieved pain in rats by dispatching molecular 'smart bombs' to selectively destroy certain nerve cells in the spinal cord, targeting faulty signaling by a small group of neurons. This approach targets just those nerve cells that send pain messages to the brain without causing side effects like morphine or surgery.
Researchers have discovered a new target for treating chronic pain by disabling specific nerve cells that send pain signals to the brain. The study found that combining substance P with saporin can significantly reduce pain sensitivity, even when administered after neuropathic pain has developed.
Scientists have identified a network of cellular receptors in the spinal cord that transmits sensations of chronic pain. Blocking their activity may provide a new strategy for pain management. The discovery suggests that pain can be caused by pathways normally not painful.
A study by Brown researchers has found that the brain releases a naturally produced cannabinoid called anandamide in response to pain. The substance produces analgesia and may provide a new approach to treating chronic pain, particularly in cases where opiates are ineffective.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a protein enzyme that plays a key role in pain signaling, suggesting a possible target for broad-based pain therapy. The finding applies to inflammatory pain syndromes, such as arthritis and colitis, and has potential implications for post-operative pain relief.
Researchers have developed a new pain observation scale called APocis, allowing healthcare professionals to accurately assess pain levels in young children. The scale records seven types of behavior related to pain, enabling doctors and nurses to determine the level of medication needed for effective pain management.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that activated pain nerve fibers dampen the inflammatory response's first line of attack, preventing chronic diseases. The study suggests that pain acts as a negative feedback control of inflammation, which can help prevent chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers found that premature infants respond to pain and can differentiate between more and less painful procedures. They recommend universal pain management in newborns to mitigate the effects of early procedural pain. Premature babies, even those born very prematurely, become more responsive to pain with age.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University researchers found that relaxation and music can significantly reduce post-operative pain in surgery patients. The study, which tested 500 patients over a 29-month period, showed that these self-care methods reduced pain more than medication alone.
Research found that relaxation and music reduce pain more than pain medication alone, providing complete relief without side effects. These self-care methods can hasten recovery and improve hospital stays for millions of Americans who undergo surgery annually.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found PENS to be significantly more effective in decreasing pain scores after each treatment than other methods, improving quality of life for patients with severe lower back pain. Following 12 treatments, patients reported increased physical activity and improved sleep.
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins discover that nerve signals can originate from nerves not directly injured, leading to abnormal activity in nearby nerves. The study provides a basis for targeting the skin and suggests effective therapy options for neuropathic pain syndromes.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that women with chronic pain report slightly higher levels of pain than men. This difference may be attributed to how society teaches men to handle discomfort, rather than biology alone. The study's findings have long-term implications for treating male and female patients differently.
A recent study by the American Heart Association found that women with heart disease are more likely to experience chest pain during mental stress. The study tested the effects of psychological stress on ischemic heart disease and found that heart rates increased twice as much among participants who reported chest pain.
A study of 117 women with recurrent breast or gynecological cancer found that social functioning and pain levels correlated. Maintaining physical and social abilities can help reverse the downward spiral of increasing pain, psychological symptoms, and spiritual dimensions.
A study of 245 chronic tension headache sufferers found that 66% have headaches nearly every day, and 72% reported missing work due to pain. The research suggests that chronic tension headaches are more debilitating than previously thought, affecting not only physical health but also mental well-being.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that delivering pain medication to patients before surgery reduces post-operative pain long after. The study, which involved 90 men undergoing radical prostatectomies, showed significant pain reduction in patients who received preemptive analgesia.
A new study by Ohio University researchers found that women with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis use various coping mechanisms to deal with pain, including relaxation and emotional support. Women were better at regulating the emotional aspect of pain, while men struggled more with mood changes after high-pain days.
A UCSF research team has made a striking discovery that mild and intense pain are biologically distinct, involving different neurotransmitters. This knowledge could lead to the development of new drugs targeting these molecules to provide effective pain relief with lower morphine doses.
Scientists have identified peptides substance P and neurokinin A as key components in the body's pain responses. The study suggests that these peptides work together to produce moderate-to-severe pain, offering a potential target for new pain treatments.
New research reveals a link between the immune system and neuropathic pain, suggesting potential approaches to treating chronic pain. Investigators discovered that cytokines play a key role in producing pain-associated behaviors.
Researchers discovered a protein sensitive to chemical stimuli and tissue-damaging levels of heat, identifying capsaicin as the key player. The cloned gene enables large-scale production of the protein, paving the way for potential pain-controlling drugs.
University of Florida researchers report that psychological effects of chronic pain are more disruptive to daily life than the pain itself. The study found that nearly 200 patients with TMD experienced depression, anger, and anxiety due to their condition.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that positive messages nearly doubled the pain threshold and tolerance of both groups, while negative messages lowered it. The results suggest that addressing both biological and emotional causes is crucial for pain treatment.