Breaking
News
This section includes a wide variety of pain management stories, arranged by date and type (not significance), which have appeared in the popular media (print, broadcast, and on-line) in the last month. Because of the volume of stories, only the first few are included on the main page. Be sure to click on "More Stories" at the bottom of each front page section.
Top Stories in the News
California may be first to track prescriptions: Kaiser to fund study allowing doctors, pharmacists, law enforcement access to medical records to combat narcotics abuse
December 13, 2006
California could be the first state with a real-time prescription drug monitoring system to crack down on narcotics abuse. Kaiser Permanente recently agreed to pay for a study of a proposed computer program to give doctors, pharmacists and some law enforcement instant, online access to medical records. The plan raises privacy concerns with some, but supporters say it would reduce "doctor-shopping" by abusers seeking multiple prescriptions. Story
Pain Conditions--Studies/Research
Smoking worsens knee osteoarthritis
December 07, 2006
New findings from a study led by a Mayo Clinic rheumatologist indicate that men with knee osteoarthritis who smoke experience greater cartilage loss and more severe pain than men who do not smoke. Results will be published online this week in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Story
Origin of inherited pain disorder pinpointed
December 6, 2006
The genetic basis for a rare inherited disorder that causes severe burning pain with no warning has been pinpointed by researchers. They found that paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) is caused by specific mutations in porelike sodium channels in peripheral nerve cells--a discovery that they said emphasizes the role of such channel disorders in inflammatory pain. Story
More Pain Conditions--Studies/Research
Diagnosis and Treatment
It's the thought that counts: Belief in placebos can release natural painkillers in patients
December 8, 2006
Brain scans show that when test subjects think a placebo is a real medication or treatment, the expectation of relief can release natural painkillers. That, in turn, can ease the discomfort of ailments from overworked muscles to a stinging hand. Story
Rochester Study Rolls Out RU-486 To Treat Uterine Fibroids
December 07, 2006
Low doses of the drug mifepristone shrink uterine fibroid tumors and greatly improve the quality of life in women who suffer from pain and heavy bleeding, according to a University of Rochester study published in the December Obstetrics and Gynecology journal. Story
More Diagnosis and Treatment
Policy and Law
Oregon Pain Management Commission wants to hear about pain
December 9, 2006
The Oregon Pain Management Commission is seeking comments and suggestions from the public about pain, treatment and related issues. That is now possible over the Internet, thanks to a recent upgrade to the commission's Web site. Story
National Quality Forum Endorses New Consensus Standards for Ambulatory Care
December 7, 2006
The National Quality Forum (NQF) today announced the endorsement of additional national voluntary consensus standards for ambulatory care. The 49 consensus standards comprise the next step in NQF's ongoing, multi-year effort to endorse a standardized set of measures for gauging and publicly reporting the quality of ambulatory care. Two of the newly endorsed measures are: "Osteoarthritis: Functional and Pain Assessment" and "Low Back Pain: Use of Imaging Studies." Story
More Policy and Law Stories
Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse
Alarm in South Florida over prescription drug trade: Deaths skyrocket as dealers and addicts flock to S. Florida.
December 3, 2006
Out-of-state drug dealers and addicts are traveling long distances to visit Florida pain clinics, targeting the state because its lax oversight of prescription drugs makes scoring pills easier. The unwanted tourism alarms state officials who have watched deaths from prescription pain medication skyrocket in recent years. In 2005, such prescription drugs as hydrocodone, methadone and oxycodone contributed to more overdose deaths than all other narcotics combined, according to Florida medical examiners. Story
Report sparks changes at pharmacy chains
Associated Press
December 1, 2006
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The nation's largest drugstore chains say they are working to better protect patient privacy after an investigative TV report turned up sensitive information about hundreds of customers in trash bins in cities around the country. Story
More Prescription, Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse
Pain Stories
Some arthritis sufferers turn to bee sting therapy
November 24, 2006
Sons show their mothers love in many ways: some with phone calls or flowers or help around the house. Israel Hidalgo stings his mother with bees.
His mother, Analilia Hidalgo, 54, began treatment for rheumatoid arthritis more than six years ago, and with it came an
avalanche of health problems, and the medication she received caused more pain than the disease it was treating.
After about two years of traditional treatments and seemingly endless complications, Hidalgo happened upon a Discovery Channel
special that would give his mother new life: it featured a segment on bee sting therapy.
He researched the treatment on the Internet and ordered a book by the woman featured on the special "That triggered my curiosity," he says.
Story
Arts can spark the empathy needed for care givers to aid pain management
December 3, 2006
For one day, AtlantiCare medical residents took time out of their hectic schedules to see pain through their patients' eyes. With financial support from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, about 90 residents, nurses, patients, clergy, writers and teachers dove into the world of pain, from the emotional pain of losing a spouse to the chronic pain and discomfort of cancer. The vehicle to empathy: the humanities. Story
More Pain Stories
For Your Patients
Hypnotherapist Reveals How to Manage Pain
November 25, 2006
We all live with pain, but people suffer from pain in different ways, based on their own personal experiences and associations with the pain in the past. For example, a person who suffers chronic back pain after falling on a skiing trip is likely to report a different intensity of pain than the person who suffered a similar back injury after jumping from a second floor window to escape a fire that destroyed his home. The emotional image associated with pain plays a big role in our perception of the experience of pain. Story
Arthritis pain relief: Creams and gels for aching joints
November 24, 2006
Explore the various types of creams, gels and ointments available for pain relief. Find out whether these products can help people with arthritis. Story
Industry News
You Don't Have to Rush in for Back Surgery - Try Meditrac's Traction on the Move Treatment
December 11, 2006
Meditrac's Traction on the Move concept revolutionizes the effectiveness of treatment for neck and back pain and is a unique, non-invasive treatment option for patients who are considering back surgery. Story
New Alternative Pain Reliever Hits Market
December 5, 2006
Due to the rising concern of how ingested painkillers can affect the stomach and intestines, DRCT, LLC responds by introducing an all new liquid analgesic spray, called AspirSpray (alternative pain relief for muscle and joint pains, such as arthritis), without time delay and gastrointestinal discomfort of ingested pain relievers. Story
More Industry News
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