Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

New protein discovery may serve as potential marker of drug addiction

Scientists are adding additional brush strokes to the revolutionary new image now emerging for star-shaped cells called astrocytes in the brain and spinal cord. Their report, which suggests a key role for astrocytes in morphine's ability to relieve pain and cause addiction, appears online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication.

10 Dec 2009

Low doses of lidocaine given intravenously help control pain after ambulatory surgery procedures

Although lidocaine is most often used as a local anesthetic, low doses of lidocaine given intravenously can help to control pain after common ambulatory surgery procedures, suggests a study in the December issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

10 Dec 2009

USC Fetal Therapy Program achieves improved survival rate in TTTS fetal surgery

A Southern California fetal surgery institute, one of only a handful in the United States, has posted enormously successful rates in treating a dangerous disorder that affects 10 percent of unborn identical twins.

10 Dec 2009

Rx In-Stream to address the unique needs of pharmaceutical industry launched

Tremor Media, the world's largest online video advertising ad network and provider of the Acudeo® video monetization platform to over 1,000 websites, today announced that it has launched Rx In-Stream, the first in-stream advertising solution created to address the unique needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

10 Dec 2009

Additional data from ALS patients enrolled in confirmatory Phase III STAR trial announced

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced additional data from the subset of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) enrolled in the confirmatory Phase III STAR trial.

9 Dec 2009

Preliminary study shows 'mini' stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease

Results of a preliminary study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins show that "mini" stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease in adults.

9 Dec 2009

BIOLASE Technology's Waterlase MD laser system receives FDA marketing clearance

BIOLASE Technology, Inc., the world's leading dental laser company, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Waterlase MD™ laser system for removal of subgingival calculi to prevent and treat periodontitis, the greatest cause of tooth loss for adults over 35 and a condition impacting more than half of Americans over the age of 55, as reported by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).

9 Dec 2009

March of Dimes poll finds majority of pregnant women worry about birth defects

The March of Dimes polled about 1,200 moms to find out exactly what it is that caused them to lose sleep (other than the fact they were pregnant!) while they were pregnant. The results were presented today at the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council luncheon where experienced, practicing obstetricians and gynecologists discussed the survey results, as well as some of the frequently asked questions their patients ask.

9 Dec 2009

Tips to prevent foot injuries from high heel shoes

High heels, offer a height advantage to shorter women and can also make the calves and legs appear shapelier...but that’s where the benefits end. Most women sooner or later, develop a love/hate relationship with their collection of shoes, that is to say they are often attractive yet painful to wear. As we approach the Christmas party season ‘what shoes to wear’ can become a real concern.

9 Dec 2009

High-flow oxygen appears to be more effective in treating cluster headaches

Patients with a cluster headache, which is characterized by bouts of excruciating pain usually near the eye or temple, were more likely to report being pain-free within 15 minutes of treatment with high-flow oxygen than patients who received a placebo treatment, according to a study in the December 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Dec 2009

Ontario chiropractors offer tips to help ward off common seasonal injuries

With the season's first winter storm looming, Ontarians can expect to get quite a workout clearing the driveway - especially when you consider that a single shovelful of snow weighs 5 to 7 pounds. Improper shoveling can lead to minor strains and sore muscles, and can also cause more serious injuries.

9 Dec 2009

IQWiG's report on autologous stem cell transplantation for soft tissue sarcoma

Due to a lack of suitable studies, it is unclear whether patients with soft tissue sarcoma can benefit from autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With this type of therapy, some of the patient's own (autologous) stem cells are removed at a convenient time and generally re-implanted after a course of high-dose chemotherapy.

9 Dec 2009

TMZ and small molecule combination appears to lower tumor resistance

University of Florida researchers have found a way to use just a fraction of the normal dosage of a highly toxic, debilitating chemotherapy drug to achieve even better results against colon cancer cells.

9 Dec 2009

Spine system: A new technique to treat lower back pain

Using a branch of science that crosses disciplines to study complex problems, a Michigan State University researcher is introducing a new way to understand and treat lower back pain, a condition affecting more than 40 million Americans and costing billions of dollars each year.

9 Dec 2009

Biomarkers can be important in identifying PTSD symptoms, says researchers

Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) frequently experience high rates of PTSD along with symptoms of depression and pain. However, little is known about why these symptoms occur together or the most effective treatments that can be used to alleviate them. One approach that may yield new insights is to search for biomarkers -- indicators of a biological state that can be easily and reliably measured in people with an illness -- to see if their presence or absence can predict symptoms that an individual will experience and identify optimal treatment strategies.

9 Dec 2009

Tips to prevent hangover during holiday season

"Eating food is an important element in reducing drinking and reducing risk of intoxication," Garbutt said. Eat a meal before you take your first sip of alcohol, he advises, and continue to take in food as the night wears on. Food, fats especially, help slow down the body's absorption of alcohol. But to truly be effective, the food must be in your stomach first. If you wait until you're feeling buzzed or tipsy to start eating, it's already too late.

9 Dec 2009

CSL Behring selects BioRx as an approved Berinert provider

BioRx, a specialty pharmacy company, has been named one of a small number of approved providers of Berinert®. Berinert® is a plasma-derived concentrate of C1 esterase inhibitor (human) indicated for the treatment of acute abdominal or facial attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adult and adolescent patients. CSL Behring, the manufacturer of Berinert® selected BioRx as part of their distribution network to launch this exciting new product in the United States.

8 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

As a society, we have to make choices. Do we want our doctors to be well-qualified practitioners using their experience and judgment to help as many patients as they can? Or do we want detached, disenfranchised doctors looking to their next career while practicing medicine with the mentality of postal workers? (Soumi Eachempati 12/7).

8 Dec 2009

HALO procedure can help manage Barrett's esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer

Cancer prevention is an important goal for all Houstonians and Bay Area Gastroenterology advises that early detection can prevent esophageal cancer.

8 Dec 2009

ASH meeting highlights H1N1 pandemic threat, new trends and treatment options for children with genetic blood disorder

Sickle cell disease, a condition characterized by deformed and dysfunctional red blood cells, is one of the most common genetic blood disorders affecting millions of people around the world, including more than 70,000 Americans (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

8 Dec 2009