Articles tagged with Pain
Breakthrough pain in cancer patients incurs $12,000/year in medical services; non-breakthrough patients incur $2,400/year. Study finds link between breakthrough pain and increased need for hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and doctor visits.
Researchers found that hypocretin neurons from the hypothalamus establish direct connections with spinal cord nerve cells involved in pain perception. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pain, particularly in spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found that steroid treatment reduced sore throat pain by four hours and increased relief to twice that of placebo patients. The study also showed significant cost savings due to the pill form, which eliminates the need for a physician or nurse to administer the shot.
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.
A new protein test has been developed to improve heart attack detection, particularly in cases of non-ST segment elevation heart attack. The test shows significant predictive value and could lead to a doubling of identified patients with mild heart attacks.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that nitroglycerin relief does not accurately predict coronary artery disease, challenging the long-held assumption. The study found that only 28% of patients with heart disease experienced chest pain relief from nitroglycerin.
Researchers found that diabetic patients with multiple heart disease risk factors have higher short-term death or heart attack risk. They are more likely to receive aggressive attention and may benefit from direct hospital admission.
Dr. Waddell presents two studies showing viscosupplementation is safe and effective for patients with advanced osteoarthritis, delaying total knee replacements by up to 1 year.
A UC Davis study found that surgical consultations were faster and more accurate than CT scans and ultrasounds in diagnosing appendicitis. Surgeons determined diagnosis within 10 hours, while patients waited 13-19 hours for CT or ultrasound results.
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.
A small study found leech therapy to be effective in reducing pain from osteoarthritis, with rapid relief seen after three days and sustained effects four weeks later. The treatment produced no side effects or infections.
A study of 16 'awareness' patients found that over half had PTSD, while control subjects showed no memory recall. Patients experienced intense emotions, helplessness, and dissociation after surgery.
Young adults experiencing nontraumatic chest pains may have cocaine use, researchers say. Effective treatments include nitroglycerin or calcium blockers for constricted blood vessels.
A large clinical trial found exercise improves emotional health in frail elderly adults by increasing self-efficacy and sense of mastery. However, improvements were modest in size and did not affect physical health parameters such as gait speed.
A study in Calicut, India found no instances of misuse or diversion of oral morphine over 2 years. The research shows that opioids can be dispensed safely for home use with proper controls in place, overcoming regulatory barriers.
Low-dose combined spinal epidural and infusion techniques have been shown to increase the rate of normal vaginal delivery compared to traditional epidurals. However, these methods may also be associated with longer recovery times for newborns and increased risk of breathing difficulties.
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...
A study published in the Lancet found that a catheter laser procedure combined with medication is more effective than medication alone in treating severe chest pain. The procedure, known as PTMR, stimulates new blood vessel growth and increases circulation to relieve angina symptoms.
A long-term study on transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) using a carbon dioxide Heart Laser demonstrates significant pain relief for five years. TMR has been shown to improve the quality of life for severe angina patients with no other treatment options.
A new JAMA series aims to teach doctors and nurses how to manage end-of-life care issues, as physicians are not adequately trained in this area. The series will cover topics such as symptom management, hospice care, and cross-cultural differences in dealing with death.
Researchers have found that transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) laser surgery can provide long-term relief from angina by creating channels for blood flow through the heart. The procedure has been shown to reduce chest pain in 60% of patients for at least five years, with some experiencing relief for up to eight years after treatment.
Researchers discovered that COMP significantly increases in the blood of people with hip or knee osteoarthritis even before X-rays reveal joint damage. Elevated levels of COMP correspond strongly with reports of joint pain and may indicate an early stage of osteoarthritis.
A case study in British Journal of Sports Medicine reports a physical education teacher who suffered from permanent nerve damage after using a frozen chip ice pack for at least 40 minutes. The authors recommend applying ice packs with caution and limiting the application time to 30 minutes or less.
A survey of 3,299 oncologists found a significant decline in support for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, with those trained in end-of-life care less likely to support these options. The study emphasizes the need for education on providing high-quality palliative care to dying patients.
A comprehensive program involving exercise, weight loss, and joint protection principles is necessary for effective osteoarthritis management. Over-the-counter acetaminophen may be the only required medication for mild-to-moderate pain relief.
A new study from Brown University suggests that Rhode Island is a microcosm of the nation's future for end-of-life care. The state ranks sixth in nursing home deaths, adjusted for age and gender, with 20% of Americans expected to die in a nursing home by 2020.
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 study of over 300 heart attack survivors found that only one in four called for help within an hour, while 12% delayed more than 24 hours. Prompt treatment can halve the risk of death from a heart attack, highlighting the importance of swift medical attention.
Researchers aim to identify a faulty switch in the brain controlling pain, which may also contribute to high blood pressure. The study could provide doctors with an additional tool to prevent hypertension and potentially lead to a new drug treatment.
Researchers found that administering low to moderate doses of kappa-opioids in conjunction with naloxone causes profound, prolonged pain relief in both men and women. This discovery provides a significant alternative to morphine with minimal side effects.
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.
A study found that medical students' biases against black female patients with chest pain can affect clinical decisions. White male students rated a black female patient as having less desirable health status but considered the white male patient's coronary condition more severe.
A study of 50 patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta found that rectally administered lidocaine gel significantly reduced pain during transrectal prostate biopsy. Patients who received lidocaine rated their pain as moderate to severe, while those without anesthetic experienced more discomfort.
A large randomized clinical trial shows that self-hypnotic relaxation techniques can decrease pain medication use, reduce operating room time, and improve vital signs during surgery. The study's findings suggest that hypnosis can be a safe and effective method for reducing anxiety and pain in patients undergoing invasive procedures.
A nerve protein known as the capsaicin receptor triggers pain signals when exposed to heat or noxious chemicals, contributing to pain from tissue injury and inflammation. Blocking this receptor may ease some kinds of pain, such as visceral pain conditions.
Researchers are conducting a national study to determine if a vaccine similar to the one given to children to prevent chicken pox will prevent shingles in older adults. The study hopes to enroll 37,000 people over 60 with no prior shingles diagnosis, aiming to boost their immunity and prevent the shingles virus from returning.
Researchers found that an experimental pain drug, kappa-opioid, provides effective pain relief to female rats, but has no effect on males. The study suggests a fundamental difference in brain responses between genders, which may lead to the development of more effective and non-addictive pain treatments for women.
Researchers found that high cholesterol levels did not indicate serious blockage of coronary arteries in patients who underwent bypass surgery. Elevated oxysterol levels were present in those with blocked arteries, highlighting the need for further heart disease screenings.
Research suggests that emergency rooms can reduce children's pain and anxiety during procedures by using techniques such as topical anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and psychological interventions. Effective communication with parents is also crucial in minimizing their own anxiety while ensuring their child's comfort.
A study found that women with unstable angina had significantly higher neopterin levels, indicating worsening of the condition. High neopterin levels were also seen in women with stable angina experiencing acute exacerbations, suggesting a potential marker for disease progression.
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 new study reveals that sleep disruption is a primary reason older adults with arthritis seek medical care, outweighing other symptoms like reduced mobility. The research suggests addressing sleep issues can be crucial in managing arthritis, particularly for those who may not connect their pain with sleep disruptions.
Methylnaltrexone reverses opioid-induced constipation in over 90% of patients, providing relief from debilitating symptoms. The drug is designed to block morphine's effects on gut motility without interfering with pain relief.
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 found that pacifiers have a better analgesic effect than sweet solutions, but combining sucrose solution with pacifier sucking provides the best pain relief. The researchers suggest sensory dominance and enhanced coping mechanisms may be involved in pacifier-induced pain relief.
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.
Early findings from a national study suggest that many women with chest pain are being misdiagnosed due to minor coronary artery blockages. Researchers found that nearly one-fourth of women with 'normal' coronary arteries had detectable disease, increasing their risk of hospitalization and poor outcomes.
A new household activities scale appears to be a better measure of quality of life scores for older women with heart disease. The scale assesses daily tasks such as housekeeping, cooking, and laundry that are relevant to their lives.
A new household activities scale appears to be a better measure of quality of life scores for older women with heart disease. The scale assesses daily tasks such as cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping, providing a more accurate reflection of physical activity limitations.
Research suggests that decreased perception of pain, or hypoalgesia, may precede the onset of hypertension in individuals at high risk. The study found that men and women with hypertension are more likely to suffer an unrecognized myocardial infarction due to suppressed chest pain during episodes of myocardial ischemia.
Researchers found that transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) improves angina by at least 2 classes in 72% of patients, while also increasing myocardial perfusion by 20%. TMR safely and effectively improved heart function over a 12-month period, driving its use with difficult bypass and angioplasty procedures.
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.
A study by Mayo Clinic pediatrician Philip R. Fischer found that pseudoephedrine hydrochloride was not effective in decreasing ear pain in children during air travel. Offering food or drink can help relieve pressure and clear earache, with swallowing sometimes helping to open eustachian tubes.
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.
UCSF researchers discovered that pain elicits analgesia via the brain's reward pathway, releasing opioids and dopamine. This finding provides a new understanding of pain relief and its connection to addiction.
Newborn infants who experience painful and stressful treatments exhibit long-term effects on their pain perception and stress response. These effects can be permanent, altering the infant's physiological and behavioral reactions to pain.
A study by Daniel I. Sessler and colleagues found that surgical pain increases the risk of infection by reducing tissue oxygenation, which is crucial for fighting infection. The study showed that patients with minimal pain had higher tissue oxygenation concentrations and a lower risk of infection.
Scientists identify a key gene responsible for pain sensitivity, revealing potential for tailored pain medications and predicting addiction risk. The study's findings suggest that individual genetic variations in the mu opiate receptor gene can affect pain perception and response to morphine.
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.