Diagnosis and Treatment
Detection of Cervical Spine Injuries in Alert, Asymptomatic Geriatric Blunt Trauma Patients: Who Benefits From Radiologic Imaging?
December 6, 2006
The overall rate of CSI in alert, asymptomatic, stable geriatric patients with normal neurologic examination is low, but is significant in patients with potentially distracting injuries or pain above the clavicles. This subset should undergo routine cervical spine imaging after blunt trauma even if no other significant findings or complaints are noted. Similar patients with other potentially distracting injuries or pain may not need routine imaging but careful clinical judgment is necessary in these cases. When imaging is contemplated, CT should be used to supplement radiographs. Story
Aspirins may cut vaccine potency: UR research finds link, but experts say more study needed
December 5, 2006
Researchers tested how a Celebrex-like drug, which is in the same class as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, affected blood samples taken from people who participated in earlier trials of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The introduction of the drug to the blood samples significantly reduced the amount of antibodies the blood was producing. Antibodies are necessary to produce an immune response to a vaccine. The same was also found in mice. The results were recently published in the Journal of Immunology. Story
Hospital Palliative Care Programs Continue Rapid Growth
December 4, 2006
Hospitals continue to implement palliative care programs at a rapid pace, according to the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). The CAPC analysis shows that 1,240 hospitals nationwide provide palliative care programs today. This is compared to 632 programs in 2000 -- a five-year increase of 96%. Story
New Research Shows Promise for Whiplash Diagnosis
November 30, 2006
Researchers suggest that the replacement of muscle with fatty tissue of the extensor muscles of the neck following an injury might be the link in determining whether a patient has experienced a significant whiplash injury or experienced neck pain from another cause. Story
One-off treatment to stop back pain -- Using patients' own stem cells
November 30, 2006
A University of Manchester researcher has developed a treatment for lower back pain using the patient’s own stem cells, which could replace the use of strong painkillers or surgery that can cause debilitation, neither of which addresses the underlying cause. Story
Knee function reduced following meniscectomy surgery
November 30, 2006
Meniscectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of the meniscus in the knee, is a common treatment that reduces pain and improves knee function. However, limitations in knee function have been shown in both short-term and long-term studies for reasons that have been unclear. A new study published in the December 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research examined muscle strength, performance, and outcomes perceived by patients several years after undergoing a meniscectomy. Story
Study may reveal cause of Vioxx side effects
November 30, 2006
New research conducted by the Imperial College London and Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry may explain why drugs such as Merck & Co.'s Vioxx cause heart attacks and strokes in patients. Story
What cures your aches might prevent cancer
November 29, 2006
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has begun three clinical studies looking at the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent cancer -- colon, esophageal or lung. These studies are part of the ongoing Cancer Center chemoprevention program, using medications to prevent cancer, especially for people with increased cancer risk. Story
Antidepressants: Another weapon against chronic pain
November 29, 2006
Some of the more effective and commonly used medications for chronic pain are drugs that were developed to control other conditions. Antidepressants are a mainstay in the treatment of many chronic pain conditions — even when depression isn't a factor. Story
Vitamins may help migraine sufferers
November 29, 2006
Scientists are testing whether some migraine sufferers could find better relief from a bottle of vitamins than traditional heavy-duty painkillers. Clinical trials are underway to investigate if vitamin B and folate can ease pain sparked by the most severe form of migraine. Story
Easing tension headaches
November 29, 2006
Several types of nonpharmacologic treatment, including physical exercise, relaxation training, and acupuncture can provide long-lasting improvements for patients with chronic tension-type headaches, physical therapists in Sweden report. Story
Foot reflexology eases post-surgical pain
November 29, 2006
A recent study, led by Shweta Choundhary, shows that foot reflexology drops the need for pain relievers among patients after surgery. Choudhary is a professor of Biophysics at the All India Institute of Medical Science (New Delhi, India). Story
Spacer Insertion May Offer Less Invasive Option for Lumbar Problems
November 28, 2006
Implanting a small spacer between lumbar vertebrae during a procedure called interspinous process decompression may be an effective and minimally invasive way to treat spinal stenosis, according to a new report. Story
The Pain from Fibromyalgia Is Real, Researchers Say
November 28, 2006
Fibromyalgia often has been misdiagnosed as arthritis or even a psychological issue. Increasingly, though, the scientific knowledge about fibromyalgia is growing, and a new paper from the University of Michigan Health System says there are “overwhelming data” that the condition is real, is characterized by a lower pain threshold and is associated with genetic factors that can make some people more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Story
Study Shows Pregabalin Effective in Difficult-to-Treat Nerve Pain
November 28, 2006
Findings from a new study published today in the journal Neurology demonstrate that the oral medication pregabalin is significantly effective in relieving central neuropathic (nerve) pain and improves pain-related sleep disturbance and anxiety in patients with spinal cord injury. Conducted by researchers at the Pain Management Research Institute in Sydney, the study is the largest controlled clinical trial ever of patients with spinal cord injury who suffer from central neuropathic pain, a particularly persistent and severe pain condition. Story
Radiological Society Of North America Presents: Aching Back? Sitting Up Straight Could Be The Culprit
November 28, 2006
Researchers are using a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show that sitting in an upright position places unnecessary strain on your back, leading to potentially chronic pain problems if you spend long hours sitting. The study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Story
Reaching for relief from arthritis
November 28, 2006
Glucosamine and chondroitin -- two dietary supplements whose names are difficult to pronounce and whose benefits, for some people, often are difficult to comprehend.
Believed by many laymen and health professionals to alleviate moderate to severe joint pain, they also have been shown in some studies to inhibit the progress of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, which involves the degeneration of cartilage, the buffer material found at the ends of bones. Story
Methadone Use for Pain Control May Result in Death and Life-Threatening Changes in Breathing and Heart Beat
November 27, 2006
FDA has received reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients taking methadone. These deaths and life-threatening side effects have occurred in patients newly starting methadone for pain control and in patients who have switched to methadone after being treated for pain with other strong narcotic pain relievers. Methadone can cause slow or shallow breathing and dangerous changes in heart beat that may not be felt by the patient. Story
Vitamin D deficiency common in children with IBD
November 27, 2006
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with inflammatory bowel disease have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. Story
Freezing Tumors That Cause Metastatic Cancer Pain Appears To Provide Long-Term Relief for Patients: Presented at RSNA
November 27, 2006
Minimally invasive procedures that turn metastatic cancer lesions into iceballs appears to effectively relieve pain among patients who have not had success with other analgesic modalities, researchers said here at the 92nd scientific assembly and annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Story
Physical therapy for the brain
November 27, 2006
Treating certain ailments without drugs is possible with neurofeedback. It lets patients view and modify their mind's activity. Story
Using the Mind to Cure the Body: Guided imagery helps patients ease their pain, studies say.
November 25, 2006
The medical community traditionally has relied on potent drugs to relieve severe pain. But in a number of academic settings across the country, health-care practitioners are adding another therapeutic weapon to the mix -- they're helping patients harness the healing power of their own imaginations. Story
Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Disk Disorders
November 22, 2006
The benefit of surgical treatment for some diseases affecting the lumbar spine is not controversial in many clinical circumstances, such as major trauma with gross instability, unstable spondylolisthesis, persistent or complicated spinal infections, and some spinal tumors with progressive neurologic loss. Story
Alternatives to sciatica surgery may be effective
November 22, 2006
Two big government-funded studies on back surgery for painful herniated disks show no clear-cut reason to choose an operation over other treatment. Story
Celecoxib, Naproxen Safety Results Now Published
November 20, 2006
A paper appearing this week in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Clinical Trials presents findings from a large National Institutes of Health sponsored trial regarding the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular safety of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), celecoxib and naproxen. The trial was initially conducted to test whether these drugs might prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Story
Study Provides Further Support For Cardiovascular Safety Of Over-The-Counter Doses Of Naproxen Sodium
November 17, 2006
Over the past two years, there has been documented concern about the cardiovascular safety of some pain relievers and arthritis treatments.(1) New data presented at the 70th annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) examine the platelet inhibition of over-the-counter (OTC) doses of naproxen sodium and the findings add further to the significant body of evidence surrounding the product's cardiovascular safety. Story
Arm Exercise Relieves Leg Pain
November 14, 2006
It may sound mixed up, but arm exercises can relieve leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a new study suggests. Story
Snail Toxins Reveal Novel Way To Fight Severe Nerve Pain
November 14, 2006
A brand new approach to treating severe nerve pain -- by aiming drugs at a previously unrecognized molecular target -- has been discovered by University of Utah scientists who study the venoms of deadly, sea-dwelling cone snails. Story
Painkiller substance discovered in human saliva
November 14, 2006
A breakthrough study suggests that human saliva produces the most effective and safe painkiller ever known, resulting in a probable reworking of how painkillers are currently administered. The researchers involved have identified a certain compound found in saliva which works like morphine, only 6 times more effective and without the negative side effects. Story
Oxymorphone Long-Term Trial Data Presented at the American Academy Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Meeting
November 13, 2006
Results of two studies demonstrated that Opana® ER provided durable, effective pain relief in those patients who completed the full one year study period. A third open-label study showed that long-term treatment with Opana® ER in opioid-naïve patients with moderate-to-severe chronic pain who completed the trial resulted in significant improvements in all pain quality of life measures. Story
Unique Sugar Improves Energy, Pain and Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Patients!
November 13, 2006
Research conducted by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, Medical Director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Inc., found a full two-thirds of his patients reported improvement of their symptoms in the first 12 days following a course of CORvalen(R) treatment. The average improvement in energy was 45%, and quality of life improved an average of 30%. Patients reported less muscle soreness and stiffness, better ability to overcome fatigue, as well as simply feeling better. Story
Amputees get virtual treatment for 'phantom limbs'
November 13, 2006
Scientists have announced the development of a computer system to allow amputees to see and move a three-dimensional "phantom limb" in place of their lost one. Story
Heel To Heal: New Stretch Relieves Pain From Plantar Fasciitis
November 13, 2006
A new stretch is proving quite effective to help treat and potentially cure plantar fasciitis, a condition that affects nearly 2.5 million Americans each year. In a study recently published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, researchers found that patients suffering from the painful heel spur syndrome had a 75 percent chance of having no pain and returning to full activity within three to six months of performing the stretch. In addition, patients have about a 75 percent chance of needing no further treatment. Story
Acupuncture May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Discomfort
November 11, 2006
Electro- and traditional acupuncture may reduce joint tenderness in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. Story
Biomarkers May Predict Clinical Response to Infliximab Treatment in Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis
November 11, 2006
Infliximab, an antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor, has been shown to produce improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. In research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC, early changes in certain blood proteins, or biomarkers, were found to be predictive of later clinical response to the drug in these two diseases. Story
A Difference in Leg Lengths Could Indicate Pattern for Osteoarthritis
November 11, 2006
A leg length difference of as little as two centimeters (about 4/5s of an inch) is definitely associated with knee and hip osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. Story
Intra-Articular Botulinum Toxin Type A May Offer Joint Pain Relief to Osteoarthritis Sufferers
November 11, 2006
Injections of intra-articular neurotoxins may offer relief from severe knee pain for osteoarthritis patients who are not candidates for joint reconstruction, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. Story
Study Provides Further Support for Cardiovascular Safety of Over-The-Counter Doses of Naproxen Sodium
November 11, 2006
Over the past two years, there has been documented concern about the cardiovascular safety of some pain
relievers and arthritis treatments.(1) New data presented at the 70th annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) examine the platelet inhibition of over-the-counter (OTC) doses of naproxen sodium and the findings add further to the significant body of evidence surrounding the product's cardiovascular safety. Story
Pregabalin Proves Durable Pain Relief Option for Fibromyalgia
November 11, 2006
Pregabalin, typically used to treat nerve pain or seizures, appears to offer extended pain relief for those with fibromyalgia, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. Story
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