Articles tagged with Pain
A new study identifies three molecules in the blood that can distinguish between heart attack and chest pain caused by other conditions. The researchers hope to develop a simple blood test for early diagnosis, which could help doctors quickly confirm or rule out a heart attack.
The UVA Center for Engineering in Medicine has developed a robust process to help researchers win funding from institutions like the National Institutes of Health. The center's first seed grant cohorts have achieved astonishing results, including $12 million in follow-on funding with just a $2 million initial investment.
Researchers found body mass index and age impact neck strength and endurance, while time of day also plays a role. The study's results can inform strategies to prevent neck pain and improve musculoskeletal biomechanical models.
A population-based study of Canadian children found no link between epidural pain relief during labor and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. The study analyzed multiple databases and concluded that epidural use did not increase the likelihood of autism.
Research reveals that family financial stress in midlife is associated with a depleted sense of control, related to increased physical pain in later years. Financial strain can lead to health conditions like physical pain, physical limitations, loneliness and cardiovascular disease.
A study of 940 children found nearly a quarter wanted stronger pain treatment after appendectomies and tonsillectomies, associated with sleep impairments and movement pain. Precautionary administration of non-opioid analgesics may reduce opioid use after surgery.
A new model in physical therapy education aims to address opioid use disorder by incorporating topics such as women's health, pediatric care, and sports therapy. By understanding the complex interplay between physical activity, pain perception, and addiction, physical therapists can provide holistic care to patients across the lifespan.
A new study from Aarhus University shows that eight weeks of training in compassion can significantly improve the well-being of relatives. The training helps them deal with difficult emotions and life events, reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology has published a new clinical practice guideline to reduce opioid use disorder risks. The guideline focuses on multimodal analgesia and judicious use of opioids, aiming to improve postoperative pain control while minimizing the risk of chronic opioid use.
A new study published in the Journal of Pain found that when male and female patients express the same amount of pain, women's pain is perceived as less intense. The researchers analyzed facial expressions and self-reported pain levels to measure bias, concluding that gender stereotypes play a role in these disparities.
A study in red-haired mice reveals that a variant of the melanocortin 1 receptor affects pain sensitivity. The researchers found that lower levels of certain hormones lead to more opioid signals, elevating the pain threshold.
A new tool called GRASP (Guidelines for Ruling out and Assessing Pain) has been developed to simplify diagnoses for children with complex chronic medical conditions. The tool helps healthcare providers evaluate pain among non-verbal children, reducing hospitalizations and improving treatment outcomes.
Scientists have found that odontoblasts, cells forming dentin beneath the enamel, sense cold and trigger pain. By blocking this function, researchers can inhibit dental pain and create novel applications for eugenol-based treatments.
Research reveals that teeth contain cold-sensitive proteins called odontoblasts, which detect temperature changes and trigger pain signals to the brain. This discovery explains how clove oil eases toothaches and may lead to new treatments for tooth sensitivity.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that more than 60% of opioid tablets prescribed for patients undergoing orthopaedic or urologic procedures went unused. The study used an automated text messaging system to track patient pain and opioid use, revealing that most opioids are taken withi...
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) significantly reduces inflammation, improving quality of life for people with moderate to severe knee pain. The procedure provides long-term, safe pain relief, with benefits seen as early as three days post-treatment and lasting up to one year.
Feeling psychologically powerful can make leaders feel their job is more demanding, yet this can also be beneficial for goal pursuit and meaningful work. However, it can cause pain and discomfort, particularly in those high in neuroticism.
A study found that women are more likely to experience delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of chest pain, which is a key symptom of reduced blood flow to the heart. Women were also less likely to be suspected of having a heart attack than men, with lower rates of probable acute coronary syndrome in females.
A new study shows that machine-learning strategies can be applied to routinely collected physiological data to provide clues about pain levels in people with sickle cell disease. The researchers found that these vital signs give clues into the patients' reported pain levels, outperforming baseline models.
A recent Loyola Medicine study found that reducing the standard dose of IV-administered ketamine in half is as effective as the larger dose in reducing pain in adults. The study involved 98 patients and showed similar results at 30 minutes, with lower adverse event rates in the low-dose group.
Researchers have discovered that catnip's active ingredient, Nepetalactone, activates the mosquito irritant receptor TRPA1, making it an effective repellent. This finding has significant implications for developing new, plant-based insect repellents.
A meta-analysis of 20 neuroimaging studies finds that placebo treatments reduce pain-related activity in multiple brain areas, including the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. The study, led by Tor Wager, demonstrates that the brain constructs pain experiences through a mix of processing stations and motivational circuits.
A single letter difference in a gene leads to sickle cell disease affecting 20 million worldwide, with varying life expectancy depending on social and environmental factors. A new review calls for integrative studies to better understand the disease globally and develop locally-appropriate interventions.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that methoxyflurane administration resulted in lower pain scores compared to standard care. However, it did not achieve the desired substantial reduction in pain as prescribed.
A new guideline for reducing opioid use post-surgery has led to a high pain management satisfaction rate of over 90%, with 83% of patients properly disposing of unused pills. The guideline takes into account individual patients' perception of pain, setting expectations and prescribing non-opioid analgesics to minimize opioid use.
A new randomized controlled trial shows that digital treatment for knee osteoarthritis is more effective than traditional self-management care in reducing pain by 41 percent compared to 6 percent. The digital treatment also offers benefits such as lower costs and increased accessibility for patients living in rural areas.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute developed a phone-based therapy to combat insomnia in older adults with osteoarthritis. The study found that this treatment can be delivered in just a few short calls, improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue and pain symptoms.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that 61% of opioids prescribed to patients after orthopedic procedures went unused. The text message system showed high patient uptake, with 88% responding on the fourth day and 95% on the 21st day. Patients reported a decrease in pain levels without using most of the prescribed opioids.
Researchers developed an agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) that restored physiological feedback, enabling greater precision of movement and reducing pain in amputees. Studies showed improved muscle activity coordination and lower pain levels compared to traditional amputation procedures.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered modified compounds called epo-NA5HT and epo-NADA that target multiple cannabinoid receptors, interrupting pain and inflammation pathways. These lipid epoxides are much more potent than their precursor molecules and offer a promising alternative to opioid-based painkillers.
A new study by Oregon State University suggests that marching band members in leadership roles experience more neck and upper back discomfort, while less experienced bandmates are more prone to left-hand pain and cognitive strain. The findings also show that gender has no impact on discomfort levels or perception of workload.
A new study published in EPJ B reveals that inhibitory interneurons make up 20% of the brain's circuitry required for pain processing. The researchers used graph theory to model the brain's complex networks, uncovering a specific configuration of interneurons crucial for modulating information transmission.
A new study published in CMAJ found that high tibial osteotomy is successful in reducing the need for total knee replacement in younger patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis. The procedure delays or prevents knee replacement in up to 79% of patients within 10 years.
Researchers Seiichi Yamano and Brian Schmidt aim to develop a new class of medicines using gene therapy to effectively treat oral cancer pain. They will test whether co-delivery of DNA and RNA can safely alleviate oral cancer pain, offering an alternative to opioids.
A study of 620 patients who had surgery found that those counseled to use opioids only as backup experienced less pain and similar patient satisfaction compared to standard care. The approach took a middle ground between controlling pain and reducing the risk of long-term opioid use or addiction.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that advanced practice providers (APPs) and emergency physicians deliver similar care to ED patients presenting with chest and abdominal pain. The authors recommend further research on the optimal use of APPs in the emergency department.
A pooled data analysis of available evidence suggests that listening to music can reduce anxiety and pain after major heart surgery. The study found that the first postoperative music session was associated with significant reductions in anxiety (4 points) and pain (1.26 points).
Research suggests that radiologists' diagnoses of lumbar spine pain generators are highly accurate when using patient-reported symptom information from brief questionnaires. The study found almost perfect agreement between radiologists' diagnoses using symptom information and those without it, improving diagnostic certainty levels.
A new study by physician-researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that a modified pain management strategy reduced opioid exposure in trauma patients while maintaining equal levels of pain control. The MAST regimen, a multi-modal analgesic approach using over-the-counter medications, achieved this o...
Researchers found that spitting cobra venoms are more effective in causing pain than non-spitting counterparts. The unique trait is attributed to molecular adaptations that enhance the action of pre-existing venom cytotoxins.
The study found that a multimodal pain regimen (MMPR) reduced opioid exposure and pain scores in trauma patients. The MMPR, which includes generic medications such as acetaminophen and tramadol, was shown to be an effective alternative to traditional opioid treatments.
KU Leuven researchers discovered a biological mechanism connecting food antigens to mast cell activation and digestive intolerance in people with IBS. The study found that certain foods like gluten, wheat, and soy can trigger local immune reactions in the gut, leading to abdominal pain.
A study aims to reduce return visits to ED by low-risk patients with anxiety-caused chest pain. Researchers will explore online and telehealth care delivery options for anxious patients.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a comprehensive framework to address disparities and discrimination in healthcare, proposing policy recommendations to enhance quality and effectiveness for all patients. The framework also discusses specific contributors to health disparities and steps to improve them.
Researchers discover pain and fear are transmitted through different brain regions in mice, with pain mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex to the nucleus accumbens and fear mediated by the ACC to the basolateral amygdala. This study provides insights into empathy and may offer a model for socially-induced pain relief among humans.
Researchers analyzed over 6 million video clips from 144 countries to discover universal human emotional expression across cultures. The study found that people share about 70% of facial expressions in response to different social and emotional situations.
A study found that under-recognition of symptoms is common among breast cancer patients receiving radiation, with younger patients and Black patients being more likely to experience this. The researchers identified several factors associated with symptom under-recognition, including age, race, and treatment regimen.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that older adults in NYC are more likely to report fatigue and pain when encountering stressful social environments. The study used smartphone-based data collection to track participants' movements, activities, and emotions.
A new research study found a connection between repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism. The study also found that increased severity of other autism symptoms was associated with more severe constipation, stomach pain and other gut difficulties.
A recent study by Morgan Gianola and colleagues found that bilingual Hispanic/Latino participants experienced more intense pain when speaking the language of their stronger cultural identity. Physiological responses to pain also played a larger role in determining pain ratings among more Hispanic-oriented bilinguals.
A study found that pediatric CT use for abdominal pain decreased from 1.2% to 0.6% between 1997 and 2016, while adult CT use increased from 3.9% to 37.8% during the same period., Children evaluated in pediatric EDs were at lower odds of receiving CT than those in general EDs for abdominal pain with appendicitis diagnosis.
A new outpatient procedure has been shown to provide significant pain relief for patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their hip and shoulder joints. Treatment involves the placement of needles where sensory nerves exist, followed by a low-grade current that 'stuns' them, slowing pain transmission to the brain.
A Tel Aviv University study found that 50% of Israeli women experience excessive teeth grinding and/or facial muscle pain due to coronavirus stress and anxiety. The study also revealed a higher prevalence of these symptoms among middle-aged women, with 35-55-year-olds suffering most.
A diet high in ultra-processed fats and sugars is associated with increased inflammatory molecules, excitability of muscle nerves, and musculoskeletal neurotransmission. This study found that a six-week hypercaloric diet in mice increased neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle pain.
A new study published in BMJ Quality & Safety shows significant reductions in opioid prescribing and consumption after surgery, with no increase in patient pain or satisfaction. The study's findings suggest that team-based approaches to reducing opioid use can lead to sustained success and improved patient outcomes.
A study published in CMAJ found that while life expectancy for people with IBD has increased, those with the condition generally die sooner than those without it. This disparity is largely due to pain and its impact on daily functioning and overall health-adjusted life expectancy.
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) from less affluent families were twice as likely to report over an hour of morning joint stiffness. This may indicate early disease symptoms and the importance of timely referrals for expert diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers analyzed data from 665 older adults to find trends in end-of-life symptoms. The study found that rates decreased for certain symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping and shortness of breath, while others increased or remained stable.
Researchers will investigate acupuncture's effectiveness in managing pain in emergency departments across the US, with a goal of reducing opioid prescriptions. The three-year study involves 150 participants and aims to provide evidence for non-pharmacologic pain management methods.
Researchers used a novel MRI-based approach to study the interaction between patients and clinicians, finding that mirroring in facial expressions and brain activity can affect the patient-clinician bond and treatment. This study suggests that the clinical encounter has a measurable impact on the brain, emotions, and clinical outcomes.