Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
A new study found moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels are similarly low in older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and those from the general population without osteoarthritis or knee pain. The findings highlight the need for efforts to increase physical activity for all.
Researchers identified distinct patterns in gene expression in synovial tissue samples, revealing differences in pain mechanisms among rheumatoid arthritis patients. These findings may help clinicians develop targeted treatment strategies for patients with minimal inflammation but high disease activity scores.
A new study published in Circulation found that 8% of women with chest pain have myocardial scar, indicating previous heart muscle damage. The study suggests that women be taken seriously when complaining of chest pain and receive appropriate medical care.
Researchers found hydroxychloroquine no more effective than placebo in relieving moderate to severe hand pain and radiographic osteoarthritis. The study's findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine as an alternative for patients with hand osteoarthritis, suggesting that tendon problems may be a major contributor to hand pain.
A new medical guideline from the University of Alberta suggests that the benefits of medical cannabis for pain treatment may be outweighed by its harms. The guideline recommends considering medical cannabinoids only in specific cases with adequate evidence and after standard therapies have been tried.
An imaging study found altered signaling in the brain and spinal cord after short-term infusion of remifentanil, leading to increased sensitivity to heat pain stimuli. The results indicate that opioid application can alter pain processing in the central nervous system.
A 28-year-old man experienced instant pain relief after undergoing a cold water swim following endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. The procedure was successful but postoperative pain persisted, until the cold water plunge provided lasting relief. Further investigation is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this natural intervention.
Research suggests that over-the-counter pain medication can impact individuals' sensitivity to painful experiences, ability to empathize with others, and processing of information. This could have implications for public health and policymakers should consider potential risks and benefits.
A large observational study found that the duration of opioid treatment is more strongly associated with misuse than the dose. The researchers suggest that giving moderate to higher doses for shorter durations may be a more effective way to manage pain while minimizing the risk of addiction.
Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with their care than those without. However, they often experience increased pain and reduced health outcomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between opioid use and patient satisfaction.
A new UCLA study suggests that mirror neuron activity in the brain can predict a person's willingness to cause harm or help others in moral dilemmas. The research found that those with stronger neural resonance were less likely to choose harming others, while decisions based on greater good were influenced by cognitive processes.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people with rare diseases experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and pain, as well as limited ability to participate in society. The study suggests that psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life for this group.
A University of Pittsburgh team is developing prosthetic devices that use sensory feedback to improve movement and balance in amputees. The researchers aim to reduce phantom limb pain, increase gait stability, and make prosthetic limbs feel more natural.
A recent study found that patients who received gabapentin before and after surgery were more likely to stop using opioids. The nonopioid pain medication may promote opioid cessation and prevent chronic opioid use.
A new study found that stressed newborn babies exhibit a heightened brain response to pain, but their behavior remains unaffected. This dissociation between brain activity and behavior has implications for pain assessment in infants.
New research suggests that stressed newborns may not display typical pain behavior despite increased brain activity in response to pain. The study found a disconnect between brain wave patterns and behavioral responses in stressed babies, highlighting the need for alternative methods to assess infant pain.
Monocytes play a pivotal role in osteoarthritis pain and progression. A study found that activated monocytes increase inflammation and body mass index, leading to worsened knee osteoarthritis. Researchers aim to explore the impact of exercise on older adults with OA.
A study found that individuals with lower education levels experienced worse pain and function after two years if they lived in impoverished communities undergoing total knee replacement. Conversely, educational level was unrelated to outcomes in wealthier areas.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that intranasal ketamine had more minor side effects such as bad taste and dizziness compared to intranasal fentanyl in children with suspected extremity fractures. No significant differences were observed in efficacy or pain relief between the two drugs.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that common shoulder surgery does not provide significant relief from pain for people with shoulder impingement. Despite being slightly more effective than no treatment, the difference was small and unlikely to result in noticeable symptoms.
Researchers discuss conventional versus newly introduced treatment modalities for managing orthodontic pain, highlighting the importance of individualized assessment and case-by-case decision-making.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that most women do not require opioids to manage pain after hospital discharge. Researchers observed a significant reduction in opioid use for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries, with most pain resolving within 14 days.
A new longitudinal study from York University's OUCH Cohort found that parents' behavior during vaccinations significantly impacts their child's pain coping responses. Engaging in positive behaviors like deep breathing and distraction, while avoiding negative ones, can reduce pain-related distress. The study suggests that a preschooler...
Researchers found that CT scans and cardiac stress tests provide no information to determine whether a patient is having a heart attack, leading to unnecessary costs and extended hospital stays. The study suggests over-testing and over-treating patients with chest pain in the ER.
A study of 1,000 patients with chest pain found that adding noninvasive cardiac testing did not improve clinical outcomes, but rather prolonged hospital stays and increased costs. The test also resulted in more radiation exposure and repeated emergency department visits without a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events.
A low-cost rapid blood test can accurately rule out heart attack risk in nearly half of all patients with chest pain, saving millions from further tests and reducing healthcare costs. The test, which measures troponin levels in the blood, can identify a threshold level below which patients are unlikely to have had a heart attack.
A study of 62 rhinoplasty patients found that they used an average of nine hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, with 46 patients using 15 or fewer tablets. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
A randomized clinical trial found no important differences in pain reduction between ibuprofen-acetaminophen and opioid-acetaminophen combinations after 2 hours. The study suggests that ibuprofen-acetaminophen is a reasonable alternative to opioid management of acute extremity pain, but further research is warranted.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that black patients living in economically deprived areas experience worse physical function after hip replacement surgery compared to their white counterparts. The study suggests that community-based outreach and education may help improve outcomes.
A large study reveals retired professional footballers are two to three times more likely to suffer from knee pain and osteoarthritis than the general population. The research found that repetitive microtrauma from playing football is a major cause of increased risk, particularly in younger age groups.
A recent study has found that patients often overestimate their anticipated level of pain following surgery, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Patients receiving regional anesthesia, such as peripheral nerve blocks or epidurals, were more likely to overestimate their postoperative pain.
A Northwestern University research team found a conserved mechanism for nociception in planarian flatworms, fruit flies, and humans. The discovery could lead to new strategies for treating acute pain in humans by designing analgesic drugs targeting the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptor.
A new study from the Salk Institute discovered that the p75 protein plays a crucial role in pain signaling, supporting the survival of sensory neurons that transmit pain signals. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders and developing treatments for conditions such as spinal cord injury.
A new study linked certain genetic changes to an increased risk of developing lumbar spinal stenosis. The research, involving 469 individuals, provides insights into the potential causes and may help identify patients at risk early.
A new report from The Lancet estimates that 61 million people globally need palliative care and pain relief, with most in low- and middle-income countries lacking access to essential medicines. Immediate-release morphine costs just pennies but is inaccessible to over 90% of those who need it.
A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that epidural analgesia does not affect the duration of the second stage of labor, contrary to long-held beliefs. The research compared catheter-infused epidural anesthetic with a saline placebo and found no significant difference in duration or other outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found ibuprofen to be a better choice for postoperative pain relief in children aged 5-17 after minor orthopedic surgery. The study showed that ibuprofen had fewer adverse effects compared to oral morphine, which was associated with significant side effects such as nausea and drowsiness.
Scientists used fMRI to study the neurological causes of the nocebo effect, finding that brain regions can influence primal pain sensing. People who believed they were receiving an expensive cream reported greater sensitivity on a heat-tolerance test and experienced more pronounced nocebo effects over time.
A systematic review of 1169 studies found that exercise therapy alone is as effective as manual treatment combined with exercise for treating grade I-II neck pain. The researchers conclude that prescribing manual treatments in addition to exercise may not provide additional benefits, potentially reducing long queues and costs.
Researchers found a significant association between foot pain and knee or hip pain, suggesting a need for comprehensive orthopedic evaluation. The study highlights the importance of considering the kinetic chain in pain diagnosis and treatment.
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections provide effective short-term pain relief and improved function for patients with low-grade knee OA. Maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity can also help manage symptoms, potentially delaying the need for surgery.
Three people were treated for serious eye injuries after being shot with Nerf guns, including a child who developed swelling in the cornea and retina. Doctors urge parents to consider protective eyewear when allowing children to play with these guns.
Pediatric emergency departments are more likely to use ultrasounds over CT scans to diagnose abdominal pain in children due to reduced radiation exposure. According to the study, general emergency departments still rely heavily on CT scans for this purpose.
A study of over 600 colorectal surgeries found racial and socioeconomic disparities in pain management, with white patients more likely to receive optimal care. The findings highlight the importance of process measures in preventing these disparities, particularly for historically disadvantaged populations.
Researchers found that people who focused on their emotions following a failure put forth more effort when they tried again. Emotionally motivated participants spent nearly 25% more time searching for a low-priced book than those with only cognitive responses.
Australian hospitals have adopted two new protocols for assessing chest pain, which were developed by Professor Louise Cullen and Professor William Parsonage. The Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol (ADP) was found to identify low-risk patients correctly, reducing emergency department length of stay from 292 minutes to 256 minutes. The IMP...
A CWRU researcher has received a five-year, $3.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to explore ways to augment the body's immune system after exposure to toxic chemicals, including mustard gas. The goal is to reduce skin swelling and pain while enhancing tissue repair.
Middle-aged Americans face dental health issues due to lack of care and insurance coverage. Despite the importance of preventive care, many opt for delayed or no care due to cost and fear of the dentist.
A recent study published in Pain Management Nursing found that nurse staffing is a key contributor to patient satisfaction with pain control. The research highlights the need for adequate numbers of nursing staff and effective collaboration among medical trainees, hospitalists, and nurses to achieve optimal patient satisfaction.
According to a recent report, 8.1% of seniors in the US are food insecure, with some states experiencing significantly higher rates. The top 10 states for senior food insecurity rates include those in the South and Northeast, highlighting regional disparities in access to nutritious food.
Researchers at UC Riverside found pallid bats resistant to Arizona bark scorpion venom, with amino acid substitutions in voltage gated sodium ion channels. The study may have implications for understanding and managing human pain.
A new study has confirmed the safety and efficacy of a rapid algorithm to rule-out and rule-in myocardial infarction. The algorithm uses high-sensitivity cardiac troponin blood concentrations to diagnose patients with acute chest pain, allowing for quicker triage and early initiation of evidence-based therapy.
Researchers discuss evolving treatments and future therapies for osteoarthritis pain, highlighting the limitations of existing treatments and introducing new potential treatment targets. Combination therapies and biomarkers are also explored as promising approaches to improve effective pain treatment.
Lesbian and bisexual older women are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, weakened immune systems, and lower back or neck pain. Meanwhile, more LGB adults engage in preventive health measures like HIV testing and blood pressure screening.
A new study reveals that sleep deprivation significantly enhances postoperative pain behaviors and extends recovery time after surgery. Caffeine blocks this effect by blocking adenosine in the brain, suggesting a potential novel intervention for improving postoperative pain management.
A new study from USC Annenberg reveals that TV characters have the power to influence attitudes toward transgender people and policy issues. Viewers who saw a June 2015 episode of Royal Pains featuring a portrayal of a transgender teen had more positive attitudes toward both transgender people and related policies.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a novel system using ultrasound to trigger the release of nerve-blocking agents, providing on-demand pain relief. The system, using ultrasound-triggered liposomes, has potential for replacing addictive opioids and short-lasting local anesthetics.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients used significantly fewer opioid tablets than prescribed after inguinal hernia surgery, with 60% relying on nonopioid medications. The results suggest a need to reassess prescribing practices and consider patient experiences to determine optimal medication amounts.
New research finds that temperature rises and increasing physical activity levels, not weather conditions, drive online searches for knee and hip pain. Temperatures peaked at 73 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit respectively.
A 30-year-old woman had a dental brace wire removed from her bowel after 10 years, revealing a twisted intestine. The wire was surgically removed without complications, and the woman made a full recovery.