Articles tagged with Pain
For seven years after bariatric surgery, participants showed clinically important improvements in pain levels, physical function, and work productivity, with some backsliding over time. The study found durable effects on walking speed, fitness, and most metrics of pain, even among older adults.
A new poll reveals that nearly half of people over 50 experience joint pain, and many turn to prescription-based treatments despite potential health risks. The poll's authors stress the need for healthcare providers to discuss medication interactions and non-drug options with patients.
Long-term opioid use after lung cancer surgery is associated with a 40% heightened death risk within two years, according to research. The study found that male sex, older age, and chemotherapy treatment are among the factors linked to long-term opioid use.
A study found that resiliency and family support play a crucial role in helping Hispanic breast cancer survivors manage lymphedema. Adaptations such as modifying work tasks and seeking support from family members enable survivors to maintain their quality of life.
A new randomized, controlled trial demonstrates that Medasense's NOL monitoring during major abdominal surgery can reduce postoperative pain by 30% compared to standard care. The study found that personalized fentanyl dosing with NOL guidance leads to lower sympathetic activation and surgical stress, resulting in reduced PACU pain scores.
A small qualitative study found that emergency departments often fail to provide dignified and respectful care to frail older patients, leading to long waits and poor communication. The researchers recommend making healthcare settings more 'frailty friendly' by prioritizing patient comfort and involvement.
The 2022 ACC/AHA guideline updates chest pain definitions and establishes standardized data elements for consistent reporting. The new definitions focus on serious cardiovascular causes of chest pain and acute myocardial infarction, aiming to ensure accurate reporting across clinical trials and registries.
A randomized controlled study found that a flexible e-learning program improved neonate pain management knowledge and skills for nurses. The study compared the e-learning group to a control group with no training.
Researchers report two cases of successful treatment with oral tecovirimat for patients with monkeypox and severe proctitis. The medication rapidly alleviated rectal pain with no serious adverse effects. Early use of tecovirimat may be a promising treatment option until randomized controlled trials can be conducted.
A new University of Rochester study compares two groups of patients with dental extractions, finding that a combination of non-opioid pain medications and gabapentin can minimize or eliminate opioids for dental pain. The results show promise for reducing opioid use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers studied the impact of withholding nitrous oxide on labor pain and found no adverse outcomes for mothers or children. Opioid use increased significantly but no change in other measures such as epidural use or Caesarean section rates were observed.
Researchers developed nanometric photodiodes that can bind to nerve cell surfaces and activate them with infrared light, allowing for selective stimulation of individual neurons. This technology has the potential to study the nervous system in-depth and develop targeted therapies for neurological diseases.
Researchers found that two new techniques can help reduce needle fear in primary-aged children, including a distraction game and positive memory reframing. The study involved 41 children and showed promising results for broad vaccination programs.
Researchers at Duke University have created a lab-made cartilage substitute that is stronger and more durable than natural cartilage. The hydrogel material can withstand even more stress from pulling and squishing, with improved strength and durability compared to previous methods.
Researchers at Okayama University discovered EPA's molecular target, which blocks purinergic chemical transmission and reduces pain perception. The study suggests EPA can be used as a therapeutic strategy for managing chronic pain with fewer side effects.
A new study published in Current Biology found that humans' ability to interpret babies' cries isn't innate but learned from experience. Parents of young babies are able to identify a baby's pain cries even if they have never heard this baby before, whereas inexperienced individuals are typically unable to do so.
A Michigan Medicine study found that patients who received preoperative education on opioid risks and nonopioid pain management options consumed significantly less oxycodone, with only 16 doses used despite similar pain scores. The results suggest a multimodal approach to managing pain can reduce harm and prevent substance use disorders.
A new study found that people who were given the impression of control over music experienced greater pain relief. Those who actively engage with music in their daily life showed even greater benefits. Music complexity was not linked to pain relief, but feeling in control was key.
A new study at the University of Missouri found that prenatal opioid exposure can trigger long-term neurological or behavioral effects in children. The research suggests that opioids impact the developing fetus' gut microbiome, leading to changes in metabolic pathways and potentially affecting overall health and wellness.
A study of 197 confirmed monkeypox cases in London found differences in symptoms between the current outbreak and previous ones. Key findings include rectal pain, penile swelling, and solitary lesions not previously known to be typical features of monkeypox infection.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds found that mindfulness training alters specific pathways in the brain related to pain regulation. Participants who completed an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course showed a reduction in pain-related brain activity, suggesting a potential new ...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that walking for exercise at a pace that induces leg pain or discomfort improves walking ability among people with peripheral artery disease. The study involved 264 participants who walked at home at either a comfortable pace or a pace that induced leg symptom...
A new study found that experiencing the death of a spouse due to COVID-19 may be worse for mental health than deaths from other causes. People who lost a spouse to COVID-19 were more likely to report symptoms of depression and loneliness. The study underscores the ongoing health risks posed by the pandemic, even to those who have not b...
A novel study found that vaccine-related fears significantly impact flu shot outcomes, reducing vaccination rates and increasing symptoms of dizziness. Researchers recommend interventions to address fear and potential dizziness, such as applied muscle tension techniques.
A new study from Tel Aviv University found a promising treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Patients treated with HBOT showed significant improvement in cognitive function, attention, and executive functions.
Bone marrow donors can now receive significantly reduced opioid medication during and after the donation procedure, resulting in a more comfortable experience. The new pain control method, using regional anesthesia, drastically decreased opioid usage from 84% to 23% among patients.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that preoperative opioid use and four or more years of preoperative pain increased the odds of chronic post-surgery opioid use in patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery. Alternative pain management methods and early referrals to specialists may help mitigate this risk.
A study published in PAIN Reports found that individuals with opioid use disorder (OUd) experience greater central sensitization, leading to worse quality of life. Central sensitization refers to abnormal pain processing in the brain and spinal cord, causing people to suffer more from pain.
A study found that patients and their caregivers agreed on the severity of physical symptoms like pain and functionality, but disagreed on psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety. The researchers also noted that caregivers who were under stress overreported their patient's symptoms.
A water birth significantly reduces the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, pain, and heavy bleeding after birth, while increasing mothers' satisfaction levels and the odds of an intact perineum. A water immersion also increases the likelihood of an intact perineum and reduces episodes of umbilical cord breakage.
A case report highlights the dangers of excessive vitamin D intake, with symptoms including abdominal pain, leg cramps, and kidney abnormalities. Doctors warn that hypervitaminosis D is on the rise and can lead to serious health problems if not taken safely.
Researchers identify key enzyme CbrR and cyclic-di-GMP as crucial for Campylobacter jejuni's motility and biofilm formation. By targeting these elements, scientists aim to develop a safe molecule to prevent infection.
A new study found that hospitals can reduce excessive opioid prescribing by implementing an evidence-based default setting for opioid prescriptions written in electronic health records. The study showed that patients who received a standard prescription size with a lower default dose of opioids had similar pain control, but took home f...
A Northwestern University-led team developed a biocompatible implant that uses targeted cooling to relieve pain on demand. The device, which can be controlled remotely, has the potential to provide an alternative to highly addictive medications.
This qualitative study provides consensus-level guidance to clinicians caring for patients with advanced cancer-related pain and opioid misuse or use disorder. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive assessment and multimodal treatment strategies.
Experts outline a framework for treating cancer pain in patients with opioid use disorder or prescription opioid misuse. The study highlights the need for better integration of addiction treatment in cancer care, particularly prescribing methadone and buprenorphine.
A new wearable technology project aims to empower older women to continue participating in sports and exercise without fear of pain or injuries. The project, MISFIT, will develop smart textiles and footwear insoles to monitor injury risk and provide personalized advice to health professionals.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers shows a sharp increase in opioid poisoning cases and sales in Switzerland between 2000 and 2019, with oxycodone being the second most common cause. The rise is similar to that seen in other European countries, but per capita sales are higher in Switzerland.
A team of scientists has developed a complex tissue platform that can restore damaged rotator cuffs through 3D-bioprinting. The platform, which includes stem cells and tissue-specific extracellular matrix bioink, regenerates tissues and improves shoulder function in animal models.
Research found that people who experience little unemployment after age 35 have better health than those with frequent unemployment in their twenties and thirties. Frequent unemployment can also lead to worse physical and mental health by age 50.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients who underwent spinal anesthesia for hip fracture surgery experienced more pain and were more likely to use prescription painkillers compared to those who received general anesthesia. The researchers hope to improve pain care by increasing the use of peripheral ...
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable but higher-dose opioid therapy who had their doses tapered by at least 15% had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis in the second year after tapering compared to their pre-tapering period. The risks were greatest in patients with the highest baseline doses.
Women with self-injury behaviour show a more effective pain-modulation system, displaying more connections between pain perception and modulation brain areas. This finding suggests that effective pain modulation is a risk factor for self-injury behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving treatment and support.
The Flinders-designed QOL-ACC tool assesses six key quality of life dimensions and has been implemented with over 1000 older Australians, delivering improved standards and transparency in aged care. The results show that the tool performed strongly in a pilot trial, with lower scores for those with poorer self-reported health status.
A team of researchers identified a group of interneurons in the spinal cord required for heat sensation and found a signaling pathway that contributes to heat hypersensitivity. Their study may lead to more effective treatment for chronic, pathological pain.
A study found that walking for exercise reduced frequent knee pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Preliminary evidence also suggested that it might modify structural effects of osteoarthritis on the knees.
A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that walking for exercise can reduce new frequent knee pain and slow joint damage in people with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers analyzed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative and found a 40% decrease in odds of new frequent knee pain among walkers compared to non-walkers.
A study published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that the quality of mistletoe, a traditional Chinese medicine, is affected by its host plant. The researchers used metabolomics to investigate the influence of host plants and environmental factors on mistletoe's medicinal qualities. The results show that both host plants an...
Research found that stimulating a specific brain circuit relieves pain and reduces defensive behaviors in rats, indicating potential physical and psychological relief. The pathway also increases reward and feeding behavior, suggesting improved emotional state.
A 58-year-old woman from Armenia suffered from severe finger pain for over 40 years when knitting, which was later revealed to be caused by a rare benign glomus tumor under her fingernail. The tumor was successfully removed in a 30-minute operation, restoring the patient's quality of life and allowing her to return to her hobby.
Male mice exhibit increased stress hormones and decreased pain sensitivity when near pregnant or lactating females, which is linked to a specific olfactory signal. This finding has significant implications for improving experiment reliability and represents a breakthrough in mammalian social signaling.
A recent study found that nearly one-quarter of young sarcoma patients continue to use opioids after treatment is completed. The researchers highlight the need for monitoring and age-appropriate strategies to manage pain while minimizing opioid exposure.
A comprehensive study published in Frontiers found that medicinal cannabis improved pain measures, decreased cancer symptoms, and reduced the need for opioid painkillers among cancer patients. The study's results suggest that medical cannabis can be considered as an alternative to traditional pain relief medicines.
Leicester researchers developed an Opioid Toolkit to reduce non-cancer pain opioids prescribed by 2024. The tool provides a theory and evidence-based approach to implementing the NHS' goal, balancing workload with patient support.
A study analyzing over 11,000 medical records found Hispanic patients with chest pain face unwarranted delays in emergency care. Language barriers, cultural values, immigration status, and inadequate healthcare professionals contribute to these disparities.
A multidisciplinary panel of experts recommends avoiding repeat CTAP imaging and prioritizing opioid-minimizing pain control strategies for adults with low-risk, recurrent abdominal pain. The guidelines also suggest screening for depression and anxiety during ED evaluations.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that a strong saline solution can quadruple morphine concentration in the spinal cord, intensifying pain relief. The glymphatic system enables faster drug delivery when administered with hypertonic solutions.
Research at Mount Sinai Hospital found a significant difference in the prevalence of occult hypoxemia among Black, Hispanic, and White patients undergoing anesthesia. The study showed that Black and Hispanic patients experienced higher rates of unrecognized low oxygen levels despite normal pulse oximeter values.
A new study found a bi-directional relationship between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in children with autism, highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis. The research aims to develop personalized treatments for individuals with autism experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
A new study found that individuals with sickle cell disease who were prescribed corticosteroids were significantly more likely to be hospitalized for severe pain events. The study also identified factors such as hydroxyurea use and male gender associated with lower risk of hospitalization.