Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

Drug used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders appears effective at treating Alzheimer’s disease

Doctors are reporting some success in treating one of the most troubling symptoms of dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. A drug commonly used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders appears effective at reducing actions like screaming at or slapping caregivers – agitated behaviors that occur in as many as half of patients.

23 Jul 2004

Women twice as likely as men to develop some musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal pain is an extremely common problem. In this age of fitness promotion, many people develop musculoskeletal disorders related to overuse of weak or improperly stretched muscles, tendons or ligaments. Strenuous daily vocational activities, such as lifting, bending, or prolonged typing, can cause musculoskeletal pain through constant stress on the musculoskeletal system.

22 Jul 2004

Call for measures to counter under-diagnosis of angina

There is a glaring need for better objective guidance for GPs in the diagnosis and management of chest pain, according to a multi-disciplinary working group of the Angina Forum. The group agreed that a worrying over-dependence on subjective judgment by GPs in identifying suspected angina patients means that many cases may go undiagnosed.

22 Jul 2004

Natural organohalogens have potent anticancer and antibacterial activity

Human made chemical compounds called organohalogens get loads of attention as they are best known for their often harmful effect on the environment - substances like the CFCs (the ozone-damaging chemicals), dioxin (found in the herbicide Agent Orange), PCBs (industrial fluids) and several pesticides.

22 Jul 2004

Unique dual laparoscopic surgical procedure

The skill and teamwork of two physicians at Scripps Clinic, combined with the expertise of the surgical staff at Scripps Green Hospital, recently led to a unique surgery that changed the life of a local woman.

21 Jul 2004

Medicinal qualities of plants shown to ease symptoms of genetic disease

Phytomedicines are medicines derived from plants and often responsible for the healing effects of traditional remedies used.

21 Jul 2004

Debate over acetaminophen and acute liver failure

One expert questions the acceptability of the current level of acetaminophen-related injury and death, while another suggests that acetaminophen overdoses are misunderstood.

20 Jul 2004

Botox approved as treatment for severe underarm sweating

The FDA has approved Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) to treat severe underarm sweating known as “primary axillary hyperhidrosis” that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. Botox has already been approved for several other purposes.

20 Jul 2004

Radiance FN/Radiesse injectable implant material appears effective and well tolerated by patients undergoing facial soft tissue augmentation

An article in the July/August issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery reports that the use of Radiance FN/Radiesse injectable implant material appears effective and well tolerated by patients undergoing facial soft tissue augmentation, and patient satisfaction with treatment is high.

20 Jul 2004

Tinned tuna lowers the risk of an irregular hearbeat

A new study out today suggests that tuna or broiled/baked fish lowers the risk of an irregular hearbeat among elderly people.

19 Jul 2004

Virginia mans dies from Hantavirus disease

The Virginia Department of Health announced last week that a man from the New River Health District in Southwest Virginia has died from Hantavirus disease.

19 Jul 2004

Study to establish the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The University of Southampton’s Complementary Medicine Research Unit is looking for volunteers to take part in a new study which aims to establish the effectiveness of a well-known herbal remedy as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

19 Jul 2004

Safer and improved technologies for detecting and treating scoliosis

Calgary researchers, healthcare providers and local patients are working together to develop a high-tech imaging system for detecting and treating of scoliosis – a mysterious spinal condition that affects about one out of every 200 people, especially children.

17 Jul 2004

FDA warns against salmonellosis in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to consumers that 57 cases of salmonellosis may be associated with food purchased at deli counters contained in Sheetz Gas Station locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia between July 2nd through July 9th.

17 Jul 2004

Cannabis extract helps reduce pain in multiple sclerosis patients

Does the cannabinoid dronabinol reduce central pain in multiple sclerosis? Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial, BMJ Online First.

17 Jul 2004

Physician task force sets out knowledge criteria for clinicians who want to consider themselves experts in this growing field

New set of competency criteria for physicians who wish to practice vascular medicine and catheter-based peripheral vascular interventions.

17 Jul 2004

New research into what causes endometriosis

Researchers know what causes endometriosis, but how the cysts that are characteristic of the disease maintain themselves and produce severe pain in some women has remained a mystery.

15 Jul 2004

Older people fail to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest

An Australian study has found a disturbing number of older people fail to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest and do not know what to do in the event of such an emergency.

15 Jul 2004

Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), the most frequently performed surgical procedure among teenagers

The most frequently performed surgical procedure for this age group in 2003 was nose reshaping (rhinoplasty). Most experts agree that for appropriately selected teenage patients, cosmetic plastic surgery can have a positive impact on physical and emotional development.

15 Jul 2004

Two out of three survivors of childhood cancer have at least one chronic or late-occurring health problem following their cancer therapy

A review in the July/August issue of “CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians” reports that two out of three survivors of childhood cancer have at least one chronic or late-occurring health problem following their cancer therapy, with about one in three having serious or life-threatening complications. These effects are often seen decades after therapy.

15 Jul 2004