Articles tagged with Pain
A large-scale registry study found that high-sensitivity troponin T assay is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with unspecified chest pain. The percentage of serious events dropped from 0.9% to 0.6% after introducing the new method.
A new Finnish research reveals how brain's opioids modulate responses to others' pain. The less opioid receptors the participants had, the stronger their emotion and pain circuits' response to seeing others in distress.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that ketamine does not prevent delirium and does not reduce post-surgical pain, contradicting widespread medical practices. However, higher doses of ketamine were associated with increased negative effects such as hallucinations and nightmares.
Researchers have developed a new tool called SEAT to measure software-induced ergonomic risks, which can help prevent debilitating hand and wrist problems in office workers. The tool uses self-reported surveys to identify stressors and strain, allowing developers to remove stressors from software and prevent injuries.
A study from Karolinska Institutet shows that observing others' pain or anxiety activates the same regions in the brain involved in self-perceived pain. This sensitivity can lead to anxiety syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals.
A study from researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison and UCSF found that mindfulness training during pregnancy can reduce depression symptoms in new mothers. The study showed a decrease in opioid-based pain medication use during labor among the mindfulness group, suggesting a potential benefit for infant health.
Two large US studies found a significant association between high fiber intake and reduced risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. High cereal fiber intake was also linked to lower worsening knee pain.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that patients who previously took prescription opioids had a higher average pain score six months after knee replacement surgery. This suggests that preoperative opioid use may be problematic due to its negative effects on subsequent total knee arthroplasty outcomes.
A study published in JAMA found that steroid injections did not improve symptoms or reduce cartilage damage in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The treatment resulted in significant cartilage volume loss, but no significant difference in knee pain compared to a placebo injection.
A study found that using smartphones to deliver lab results to attending physicians reduced discharge time by 26 minutes for chest pain patients. This innovation could improve emergency department flow and reduce waiting times.
A growing number of cases in Western countries have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, specifically sushi. Anisakiasis is caused by eating infected fish and can lead to symptoms such as upper gut pain, vomiting, fever, bowel obstruction, and bleeding.
A panel of international experts recommends against knee arthroscopy for almost all patients with degenerative knee disease, citing limited evidence of long-term pain relief and function improvement. Non-use of knee arthroscopy can be used as a performance measure to reduce unnecessary surgery.
Researchers found that severe foot pain and flat feet were associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls. The study suggests that targeting foot pain may help reduce hospitalizations and loss of independence for older adults.
A new Canadian clinical guideline recommends reducing opioid medication use for patients with chronic non-cancer pain, prioritizing harm reduction and optimizing non-opioid treatment. The guideline also proposes strict dose limits and trial tapers to minimize risks associated with opioids.
A study found that incidental findings from routine imaging scans generated longer hospital stays in over half of patients, with only 7% being medically significant. Researchers urge hospitals to better assess these findings and explore ways to safely reduce added costly days.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assessment is accurate, timely, and associated with low pain levels and high caregiver satisfaction. POCUS was compared to X-ray for diagnosing distal forearm fractures in children, yielding a sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 93.5%.
A new study found that simple calf muscle stretching can improve blood flow and reduce leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease. After four weeks of daily stretches, participants were able to walk half a city block farther and their leg discomfort was prolonged.
A new study by Dr. Elizabeth Losin suggests that clinician-patient similarity and trust can significantly reduce pain during medical procedures. Patients who trusted their doctor and felt similar to them reported less pain, with those experiencing higher anxiety levels showing greater reductions in pain.
Research by Dr Richard Stephens found that swearing aloud improves anaerobic power and isometric handgrip strength in participants. The study suggests that swearing stimulates the body's sympathetic nervous system, but further investigation is needed to understand its effects.
A new study links knee osteoarthritis to noisy knees in high-risk individuals. Approximately 75% of those who developed OA within a year had x-ray signs but no frequent pain.
A UCL-led study found that the brain responds weaker to money gained through immoral actions compared to those earned morally. The research identified a neural process that dampens the appeal of profiting at others' expense.
Two papers challenge the UK's National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) guidelines for excluding acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis of the knee and low-back pain. The authors argue that NICE applies a higher evidentiary standard to acupuncture than other modalities, which may diminish its effectiveness.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that methadone significantly reduces the need for opioids after spinal fusion surgery. Patients treated with methadone required less intravenous and oral opioids to manage postoperative pain, reported lower pain scores, and had improved global satisfaction.
A recent CU Boulder study found that the placebo effect can significantly reduce emotional pain and brain activity associated with social rejection. The study used fMRI to track brain responses in volunteers who had recently experienced a breakup, finding that placebos reduced physical pain and emotional distress.
A new study reveals a rising trend in hospitalizations for hypertensive emergency but a decrease in hospital mortality rates over the last decade. The presence of acute cardiorespiratory failure, chest pain, stroke, and aortic dissection were key predictors of higher hospital mortality.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that women are more likely to experience hypersensitivity to metals used in joint replacements, leading to increased pain and complications. Women accounted for 60% of patients with unexplained pain after joint replacement, with higher average pain scores than men.
Researchers have found that pain relief medication can ease the discomfort of zebrafish larvae, offering a potential replacement for adult fish used in scientific research. This breakthrough reduces animal suffering and paves the way for more humane testing methods.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that approximately 6% of patients continued to use opioids more than three months after surgery. Risk factors for persistent opioid use included preoperative tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and preoperative pain disorders.
Researchers developed the Behavior Pain Assessment Tool (BPAT) to evaluate pain in critically ill patients unable to communicate verbally. The tool, based on eight observable behaviors, was validated in 28 countries and found to be reliable and valid for use in clinical practice.
Researchers found that fang blenny venom contains a neuropeptide, lipase, and opioid peptide, which cause a sudden drop in blood pressure in predators. This leads to disorientation and can help the fish escape. The venom's unique components have also inspired mimicry among other fish.
A new study published in JMIR Mental Health found that virtual reality therapy significantly reduced pain scores in hospitalized patients. Patients who wore VR goggles experienced a 24% drop in pain, while those who viewed standard video content saw a 13.2% decrease.
A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers will pay big money for painful experiences like obstacle races and ultra-marathons. Through extensive interviews with Mudders, researchers learned that pain helps individuals cope with reduced physicality and create a story of a fulfilled life.
Researchers used cold pressor tests to assess the relationship between pain threshold and tolerance, and the associated hemodynamic response in the cerebral cortex. The study found no gender difference in hemodynamic responses to pain but sheds light on hidden differences in biological variables in the human brain.
A Chicagoan has become the first adult patient to be cured of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia with a novel stem cell transplant protocol. The patient, David Levy, underwent the procedure in 2014 and is now free from pain and independent.
A recent study suggests that surgical approaches to treating tennis elbow may not provide additional benefits compared to a placebo procedure. Patients who underwent surgery experienced significant improvements in pain measures within 26 weeks, with no significant difference between the two groups at any point.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism driving the emotional response to painful inflammation, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for managing chronic pain. Prostaglandins in brainstem serotonin-producing neurons play a crucial role in this process.
Researchers successfully created a synthetic receptor that recognizes signals involved in pain relief and can be switched on and off using chemical messengers. The breakthrough could hold the key to altering the way cells respond to pain and other sensations by adding or bypassing natural communication pathways.
A recent analysis found that only 31.8% of newborns were assessed for prolonged, continuous pain in European neonatal intensive care units. Intensive care units with specific support systems performed assessments more frequently, highlighting the need for better pain monitoring in newborns.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a new mechanism of action for painkillers that produces substantial pain relief in inflamed tissues without causing severe side effects. The prototype, NFEPP-prototype, binds to opioid receptors only in acidic environments, avoiding respiratory depression and dependency.
A new study analyzed 558 individuals with foot pain and identified five clusters with unique patterns based on age, sex, and comorbidities. The findings provide insights into foot pain patterns in the community and highlight opportunities for targeted interventions.
Researchers found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation prevented nerve pain in rats treated with chemotherapy, which could lead to improved outcomes for patients. The supplement increased levels of NAD+, a cell metabolite that protects against nerve damage.
A new online tool uses data from the PROMISE trial to predict patients at minimal risk for heart trouble, allowing primary care doctors to safely defer non-invasive cardiac tests. The tool considers 10 clinical variables and can help clinicians quantify minimal risk, opening a conversation with patients on whether a test is worthwhile.
The updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) underscores the safety and effectiveness of palliative radiation therapy (RT) for treating painful bone metastases. The guideline recommends optimal RT dosing schedules, including options for re-treatment, to provide pain relief, with a single 8-Gy ...
Children's National urologist Michael Hsieh is awarded a $1 million grant to generate mutant forms of IPSE, a parasite-derived protein that may alleviate bladder pain. The goal is to develop IPSE as an alternative to opioids for treating pain in general.
Long-term bisphosphonate therapy for Paget's disease of bone found no significant clinical benefits, increasing fracture risk instead.
Researchers have discovered a new epigenetic marker, pS10H3, that regulates pain processing in the spinal cord. Blocking this marker may lead to new pain relief therapies for burn victims.
A new clinical decision rule developed in Ottawa has been validated to safely take a third of chest pain patients off of heart monitors, freeing up beds for sicker patients. The rule was tested on 1,125 patients and found to accurately predict those who needed to stay on heart monitors with 100% accuracy.
A study of over 100,000 surgical cases at UVA Health System found patients' pain scores improved even as opioids were given fewer times. The average amount of opioids given per surgery declined 37%, while non-opioid pain medications increased by 120%.
A new study found that chair yoga significantly reduced pain and improved functional ability in older adults with osteoarthritis. The 8-week program also showed long-term benefits, with reductions in pain interference lasting three months after completion.
Researchers found that measuring TMAO levels in blood could predict risk of death and other major heart problems in patients with chest pains. Higher TMAO levels were associated with increased risks of serious heart problems, death, and thrombosis in both short-term and long-term periods.
A new study finds that individuals with symptoms at increased risk for heart disease are more likely to have shoulder problems, including joint pain and rotator cuff injury. The research suggests that controlling blood pressure and other heart risk factors may alleviate shoulder discomfort.
A new study found that opioid prescribing rates in Canada decreased by 13.7% following the release of national guidelines for chronic non-cancer pain management in 2010. However, rates of opioid-related hospital visits rose 13% between 2010 and 2013, possibly due to high-dose prescriptions increasing overdose risk.
Researchers found that liposomal lidocaine combined with parental video instruction and oral sucrose significantly reduces acute pain during vaccinations. The study involved 352 healthy infants who received scheduled vaccinations, with the best results seen for those using lidocaine cream consistently.
Researchers identify molecule that inhibits protein responsible for converting touch to pain receptors in skin, paving way for new drug development to treat diabetic neuropathy and other nerve damage-related pain. The study shows promising results with minimal impact on non-pain related touch sensitivity.
Supportive care, including pain relief and medication to prevent side effects, remains insufficient for many cancer patients, especially those on government-funded schemes in India. This can lead to delayed treatment cycles and poor quality of life. Researchers emphasize the need for better policies and access to effective treatments.
Using a one-minute shared decision-making aid can reduce unnecessary hospitalization and advanced cardiac testing for patients with low-risk chest pain. The study found that the aid resulted in greater patient knowledge, increased patient involvement in decision-making, and reduced admissions for observation.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel treatment for phantom limb pain, reducing symptoms by 50% in over a dozen amputees. The new approach uses augmented reality and machine learning to control virtual environments with muscle signals from the missing limb.
A study published in Oncology Nursing Forum found that acupuncture improved recovery after mastectomy surgery by reducing pain, nausea, and anxiety. Patients who received acupuncture had a greater reduction in symptoms compared to those with traditional care.
A recent study found that approximately one-third of Alzheimer's patients use prescription pain relievers, comparable to those without the disease. However, the type and frequency of analgesics used differed significantly between groups. Paracetamol was most commonly used, while anti-inflammatory medications were less frequent.