Tag: pain

In a new practice advisory, an international team of experts discussed the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), an alternative to iodinated contrast media, in interventional pain procedures. The evidence-based position statement weighed the risks of using GBCAs and provided recommendations to standardize practices and maintain patient safety. Physicians typically use iodinated contrast agents (ICAs)

When it comes to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of Cannabis sativa, an unsolved mystery is whether there exists an "entourage effect," whereby the pain-relieving effects of the plant as a whole are greater than any of its individual parts. New research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences has found evidence that favors the

Financial stress can have an immediate impact on well-being, but can it lead to physical pain nearly 30 years later? The answer is yes, according to new research from University of Georgia scientists. The study, published in Stress & Health, reveals that family financial stress in midlife is associated with a depleted sense of control,

A technique called percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation yields “impressive” reductions in pain scores and opioid use during the first week after common orthopedic surgery procedures, concludes a randomized clinical trial published Online First in Anesthesiology, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), today. The benefits of postoperative nerve stimulation were “much

Bunions are one of those things that you never think about until it happens to you. And if this aching, painful foot-bone protrusion (which is also called hallux valgus) does happen to you — and it is one of the most common foot disorders out there — you’ll be hard-pressed to get it off your

When you think of ways to treat opioid use disorder, you might think methadone clinics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. You probably don’t imagine stretches and strengthening exercises. But Anne Swisher—professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine—is working to address opioid misuse in an unconventional way: through physical therapy. She and her colleagues have

We all feel physical pain in different ways, but people with nerve injuries often have a dysfunctional pain suppression system, making them particularly prone to discomfort. Now researchers have uncovered that virtual reality (VR) can reduce types of pain typically seen in patients with nerve injuries – and that VR can boost the dysfunctional pain

“I had a patient recently who demanded that I remove the diagnosis of opioid use disorder [OUD] from his chart. He’s been on them for years, and has had abnormal urine drug screening. At that point, OUD isn’t a ‘thought,’ it’s a fact.” One radiologist apparently copied and pasted notes into various medical records. A

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a transmissible viral disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen responsible for the ongoing global pandemic. The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and to date has caused over 109 million infections worldwide. With over 2.4 million

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the globe. Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the disease exhibits an array of clinical outcomes (from asymptomatic to critical). The majority of cases are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, wherein there are no symptoms or only a few manageable ones.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins in the mouth and works its way down the esophagus, through the stomach, small and large intestines and rectum, before terminating at the anus. Bleeding or hemorrhaging anywhere along this pathway may be acute or chronic and can be due to a host of factors. The key symptoms are hematemesis

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder, and presents in various types. However, sleep maintenance insomnia (SMI) is the most frequent complaint. Both the cause of awakening and the difficulty in returning to sleep are important in precipitating episodes of nocturnal sleep disturbances. Research seems to suggest that hyperarousal states, personality traits, and physiologically determined

Skip to: Why do Older Women Have a Reduced Libido? Is Reduced Libido a Matter of Concern? How to Regain Sexual Desire? Concept of low libido. Image Credit: Pavlovska Yevheniia / Shutterstock Elderly women generally have a lower sexual desire or libido because of age-related physiological, psychological, and social transition. Although libido reduces gradually with

Somatization refers to the expression of psychological or emotional problems as physical (somatic) symptoms. A common example is a headache being brought on by stress. Credit: Yuttana Jaowattana/ Shutterstock.com Somatization can give rise to a group of disorders broadly referred to as the somatoform disorders, which may be characterized by chronic and severe symptoms. People

Bleeding gums not only indicate dental diseases but could also suggest serious medical concerns. Though it is one of the most common dental conditions, professional treatment should be sought if it is noticed. Skip to Why are bleeding gums important? Which medical conditions may cause bleeding gums? Bleeding gums due to HIV infection Anemia-related bleeding

Inflammation of the pancreas is referred to as pancreatitis. The pancreas is a flat tadpole-shaped gland located at the back of the stomach in the upper abdomen; it releases certain enzymes and hormones which help in digestion and aids in regulating sugar metabolism in the body. Pancreatitis may manifest in both severe and acute forms.

Skip to: A Promise for PTSD Patients Warm Acupuncture for A Restful Night’s Sleep Scalp Acupuncture to Stimulate Brain Activation in the Elderly The exact means by which acupuncture affects the central nervous system is unclear. The practice of acupuncture is widespread – both in the world, and across the body. It can be applied

The use of a standardized tool for assessing the risk of serious outcomes in patients with chest pain was associated with women at high risk receiving comparable care to men, according to new research published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Care received by women at low and intermediate risk was consistent with current clinical

Chronic pain can be excruciating, debilitating and hard to describe. Yet the best way to get the right treatment for the exact pain you’re experiencing is to put those symptoms into words, so your doctor can pinpoint a diagnosis and help you find relief. The Arthritis Foundation created a guide with suggestions for communicating your

The coming of winter means cooler temperatures, shorter days and flu shots. While no one looks forward to a vaccination, a study led by the University of California, Irvine, has found that either a sincere smile or a grimace can reduce the pain of a needle injection by as much as 40 percent. A genuine,