Articles tagged with Pain
A new algorithm using a highly sensitive troponin I assay can reduce mortality and cut triage times to one hour for patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. The algorithm allows for safe discharge or rapid treatment initiation, enabling better resource utilization.
A recent study at Washington University School of Medicine found that quitting smoking after a heart attack leads to immediate improvements in chest pain, daily life, and mental health. The benefits became apparent as little as one month after quitting, with more pronounced effects after a year.
Researchers found that quitting smoking within a year after a heart attack can lead to similar levels of chest pain and mental health as non-smokers. Smokers who continued to smoke after a heart attack had the worst health status of the four groups, with increased odds of having chest pain.
A new Canadian guideline has been published to help manage pain during vaccination in both children and adults. The guideline includes recommendations for various age groups and settings, such as physician's offices and public health settings.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a technique using tiny gold rods to target pain receptors and activate TRPV1, leading to desensitization and pain relief. The gold nanorods have been shown to be more efficient than magnetic nanoparticles in heat generation and activating TRPV1 receptors.
A comprehensive review of available evidence confirmed that listening to music before, during, and after surgery reduces postoperative pain, anxiety, and the need for painkillers. The study involved nearly 7,000 patients and found music to be effective even when patients were under general anaesthetic.
A new study from Binghamton University reveals that women experience more emotional pain following a breakup, with an average rating of 6.84, compared to men's 6.58. However, women tend to recover more fully and come out emotionally stronger than men, who never fully recover but simply move on.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of meniscal transplants remain viable at 10 years, relieving pain and improving knee function. However, many patients required additional surgery within 15 years.
Researchers at NYU's Bluestone Center are working on a novel non-viral gene delivery method to treat oral cancer pain, which is consistently ranked as one of the most painful cancers. The method aims to reverse epigenetic changes using gene therapy and selectively disrupt nociceptive signaling with limited off-target effects.
Researchers found that breast cancer survivors who used liquid lidocaine on the vulvar vestibule experienced reduced pain and improved sexual function. The study's results suggest that this non-invasive treatment could alleviate physical and emotional pain associated with sex, making it more enjoyable for both individuals.
A study found that patients who experienced significant reductions in pain and disability after spine surgery were more likely to be satisfied with their outcomes. Factors such as initial severity scores, insurance status, and mental health played a role in patient satisfaction rates.
Researchers found that US health care providers perceive South Asians as being more reluctant to report pain and seek medications. This is partly due to cultural differences in medical practice in South Asia, where patients are often not asked about their pain and may be given low-dose pain medications after surgeries.
A University of Delaware-led study found that an intensive regimen of regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the short-term onset of knee pain for overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Arthritis Care and Research, shows a 15% decrease in knee pain development among those who underwent the intensive pro...
SLU pain researcher Daniela Salvemini has been awarded the NIH's Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award to develop new painkillers that can quell terrible pain while minimizing debilitating side effects. The two-year grant will support her search for innovative ways to mitigate opioid side effects and preserve their pain-relieving ability.
Researchers at McGill University found that treadmill workstations lower neck and shoulder muscle activity, leading to less discomfort. The study suggests that minor movements and adjustments can help prevent muscle pain in office workers.
Two randomised controlled trials found patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to be statistically and clinically superior for patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain, with users reporting lower total pain scores. However, results were more equivocal for patients with traumatic injury, leaving room for further investigation.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that knee surgery for middle-aged and older adults with persistent knee pain offers a small but significant effect on pain, but no benefits for physical function. The research also identified potential harms, including deep vein thrombosis and infection.
A new trial found that hydroxychloroquine does not reduce pain, disability, or joint stiffness in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis. The study suggests that this medication should no longer be prescribed for this condition, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options.
A new evidence-based protocol to treat acute, severe pain in emergency department patients has been shown to be effective and safe. The study found that simply asking patients if they want more pain medication resulted in satisfactory pain control for 99% of participants.
A new iPad app, 'This Feeling!', has been shown to be preferred by 95% of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) over conventional tools. The app uses interactive technology to help children describe their pain experiences, improving communication and support for long-term management.
More than a third of patients experience phantom eye symptoms every day, with some feeling pain in the non-existent eye and others perceiving visual patterns or colors. The study provides insights into the prevalence and characteristics of phantom eye syndrome in patients with intraocular melanoma.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego developed a novel facial pattern recognition software to assess pediatric pain levels. The software achieved good-to-excellent accuracy in assessing pain conditions and performed equivalent to parents but better than nurses.
A study of US and international orthopaedic surgery patients found that despite receiving more pain medication, American patients reported higher worst pain scores than international patients. This suggests that the relationship between pain medication and pain perception may be complex.
Research reviews suggest that individuals with cognitive impairment, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, exhibit altered pain processing. This is often accompanied by increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, making effective diagnosis and treatment challenging due to communication difficulties.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center identified brain regions activated during mismatches between expected and experienced pain. The parietal lobe and insular cortex were found to be involved in processing real-time mismatches.
Researchers from the University of Sydney have found a humane way to kill cane toads by placing them in a refrigerator for a few hours before transferring them to a freezer. This method induces unconsciousness without causing pain, solving a long-standing dilemma for communities affected by the invasive species.
Researchers identified the PRDM12 gene essential for pain-sensing neurons in humans, which could lead to the development of new pain treatments. The study found that genetic variants of PRDM12 block the production of pain-sensing neurons, leading to conditions like congenital insensitivity to pain.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that people can be conditioned to associate images with specific pain responses without conscious awareness. This study suggests that unconscious learning may have a significant impact on higher cognitive processes, including pain perception.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that short-course oral steroids resulted in only modest improvement in function and no significant reduction in pain for patients with acute sciatica. The research suggests that oral steroid treatment may not be an effective option for this common condition.
A study published in JAMA found that oral steroids did not significantly improve pain in patients with acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk. However, the treatment showed small improvements in function, suggesting potential benefits for some patients.
A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found a low risk of life-threatening cardiac events among patients with chest pain who have normal test results. The researchers suggest discharging these patients to outpatient settings for further testing, which could significantly reduce hospital admissions.
A large study found that routine hospital admission for patients with chest pain and negative emergency department evaluations is rarely associated with adverse cardiac events. The study suggests that judicious follow-up in the outpatient setting may be more effective, improving patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary hospitalization.
A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and inflammation in pediatric patients with acute appendicitis. The treatment also showed a modest drop in white blood cell count, suggesting a biophysiological basis for its effectiveness.
Researchers analyzed 2,765 adults who underwent angioplasty and found that quitting smoking significantly improved quality of life and reduced chest pain. Smoking cessation was associated with a lower risk of chest pain at one year after the procedure.
A new study suggests that exercise training to strengthen hip flexor muscles can increase walking distance and reduce calf pain in patients with clogged leg arteries. Researchers found that PAD patients use their ankle flexors more during walking due to weakness in hip muscles.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new compound called boronicaine that offers longer-lasting painkilling effects compared to lidocaine. The compound provides about five times longer relief, making it a potential alternative for treating sports injuries and joint replacement procedures.
Research from Cornell University finds that texting during minor surgery under local anesthesia can significantly reduce pain demand, with stranger interactions more effective than companion conversations. Patients who texted with strangers received up to six times less narcotic pain relief compared to those without phone access.
A study on adolescent bariatric surgery found that severely obese teens experience musculoskeletal pain and functional difficulties. Lower extremity pain was a key predictor of functional impairment and low health-related quality of life scores.
Researchers discover TMPRSS2 gene as key player in triggering severe forms of cancer pain. The discovery could lead to targeted therapies shutting down the expression of this gene or its ability to infiltrate pain receptors.
A pioneering Oxford University study using MRI scans found that babies experience pain much like adults, with 18 of 20 brain regions active in adults also active in babies. The study suggests that infants may be more sensitive to pain than adults and highlights the need for improved pain relief guidelines.
Researchers found that acetaminophen blunts positive emotions in users, reducing the intensity of both pleasant and disturbing photos. This study provides new insights into the broader consequences of using common pain relievers like Tylenol.
A new Penn Medicine study found that patients seen in emergency departments have misperceptions about opioid dependence and want more information about their pain management options. Patients desire better communication from physicians about their pain management options, along with discussion of the risks of opioid dependence.
Researchers found that capsaicin-evoked burning pain sensation is caused by sequential activation of TRPV1 and anoctamin 1, leading to further depolarization. Anoctamin 1 activation increases pain sensation in mice, while chemical blockade provides relief from pain induced by TRPV1 activation.
Many nursing home residents experience high mortality rates and functional decline after lower extremity revascularization. The study found that ambulatory function may not be the primary objective of treatment for these patients.
Patients with stage IV cancer prioritize pain management, home deaths, and quality of healthcare over life extension, while caregivers are willing to pay more for these services. The study suggests that patients' preferences should be directly elicited during treatment decision-making.
A new study by Dr. Faraj Adballah found that single-shot nerve blocks provide limited pain relief after shoulder surgery, lasting only six to eight hours. After this initial period, patients who received the shot experienced a phenomenon known as rebound pain, which worsened their symptoms.
Researchers found that pain relief from diagnostic injections did not correlate with patient outcomes after surgery. The study suggests that careful evaluation of symptoms and imaging findings is crucial in considering patients for surgery. Future investigations into improving success rates are needed.
A recent study published in Osteoporosis International found that painful knee osteoarthritis in women is associated with a higher risk of early death compared to unaffected women. The study, which followed middle-aged women for 24 years, also found no link between hand osteoarthritis and excess mortality risk.
A new study found that 53% of parents/caregivers of youth baseball pitchers are unaware of safe pitching practices designed to prevent overuse injuries. Sixty-four percent of parents or caregivers recalled their child having upper extremity pain as a direct result of pitching.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that hip replacement is an excellent option to alleviate pain and improve function in juvenile arthritis patients under age 35 when conservative treatments fail. The procedure lasted at least 10 years in 85 percent of patients, with some implants lasting up to 20 years.
Researchers created an algorithm to determine factors contributing to arthritis pain in a national representative sample of adults. The study found that physical health status, diabetes, and previous joint pain were the greatest predictors of pain, with an accuracy rate of 98.6%.
Patients with Parkinson's disease experienced improved or eliminated preoperative pain after eight years following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. However, new musculoskeletal pain developed in 75% of patients during the follow-up period.
Institutions like King's College London are reviewing military medical advancements to improve civilian healthcare, focusing on low-resource regions where life-saving treatments can be adapted and implemented. The review calls for research and policy changes to transfer these innovations.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that dental pain relief is accompanied by reduced activity in the posterior insula and enhanced connectivity to the midbrain. This discovery provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying dental pain.
The HEART Pathway, a new protocol, helps emergency departments evaluate patients with acute chest pain more efficiently. It has been shown to reduce cardiac tests, early discharges, and hospital stays while maintaining patient safety.
Research shows that muscle metabolites released during exercise activate neural pathways in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, leading to excessive feelings of fatigue. The study suggests that peripheral tissues like muscles contribute to fatigue, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms and potential treatment targets.
A new brain imaging study has identified a specific brain area, the dorsal posterior insula, directly related to pain intensity. This discovery could help detect pain in people with limited communication abilities.
Researchers found PET/MR to be superior in diagnosing foot pain causes, providing more diagnostic information and higher certainty than PET/CT. This non-invasive method offers an important tool for sensitive diagnosis of foot pathologies.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.
A study published in CMAJ found that nearly a quarter of patients with chest pain who visited an emergency department did not receive follow-up care. Patients with multiple health issues and rural residency were less likely to see a physician after discharge.