News

Over 150 Different Types of Headaches

As every headache sufferer knows, not all headaches are created equal. The International Classification of Headache Disorders currently recognizes over 150 different types of headaches. Despite the nuances, most headaches fall into three main

As every headache sufferer knows, not all headaches are created equal. The International Classification of Headache Disorders currently recognizes over 150 different types of headaches. Despite the nuances, most headaches fall into three main[Continue]

Pain Care Bill of Rights

The American Pain Foundation has created a patient's Pain Care Bill of Rights. If you are suffering from pain and seek out medical care, these are your rights as a patient. You have the right to: Have your report of pain be taken seriously Be

The American Pain Foundation has created a patient's Pain Care Bill of Rights. If you are suffering from pain and seek out medical care, these are your rights as a patient. You have the right to: Have your report of pain be taken seriously Be[Continue]

Opioid Use, Abuse, Misuse

Opioid drugs have always been a blessing and a curse. Known throughout history (opiates were widely used in the American Civil War for pain relief), opioids are in the news a lot lately, mainly because of their misuse. About 19% of people admitted

Opioid drugs have always been a blessing and a curse. Known throughout history (opiates were widely used in the American Civil War for pain relief), opioids are in the news a lot lately, mainly because of their misuse. About 19% of people admitted[Continue]

Study in Multidisciplinary Pain Research Slated for November 2011 in Pavia, Italy

The Study in Multidisciplinary Pain Research has announced that its fourth annual scintific sessions will be held on November 11 and 12, 2011, in Pavia, Italy. This meeting will feature numerous presentations by key opinion leaders in the field of

The Study in Multidisciplinary Pain Research has announced that its fourth annual scintific sessions will be held on November 11 and 12, 2011, in Pavia, Italy. This meeting will feature numerous presentations by key opinion leaders in the field of[Continue]

Do You Know NSAID Side Effects?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (pronounced en-sed) are common pain relievers. They are available over-the-counter in pharmacies and on drug counters in supermarkets and discount stores. Because these drugs along with acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (pronounced en-sed) are common pain relievers. They are available over-the-counter in pharmacies and on drug counters in supermarkets and discount stores. Because these drugs along with acetaminophen[Continue]

• Injectable Drugs in Short Supply?
• Opioid Painkillers and Risks in Elderly Patients
• 27% of Drivers in Serious Accidents Taking Meds
• Acetaminophen Not Associated with Liver Damage in Children
• Darvon and Darvocet Taken Off Market

Diseases and Conditions

Back Pain in Children

When it comes to medicine (and many other things), children are not just miniature adults. This is particularly true of back pain. Back pain can and does occur in children. It is rare in preschoolers but by the time a child is adolescent, becomes [Continue]

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a general term for many conditions in which nerve damage causes strange and sometimes painful sensations in the extremities (periphery) of the body. About 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy, yet it is not [Continue]

Back Pain Basics

Back pain is one of the most common forms of pain. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta state that every American is likely to have at least one episode of back pain in his or her lifetime. While back pain may sound [Continue]

Persistent Postsurgical Pain

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, 57 million surgical proceudres were performed in the United States in 2006. In most instances, postsurgical pain is most intense right after surgery and diminishes over the [Continue]

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic disorder that can be challenging to treat. In a typical case of CRPS, pain develops in an extremity (hand or foot) following some kind of accident or injury. Instead of gradually healing [Continue]

Lifestyle Modifications

Food Fight! Beating Inflammation With Diet

After an injury, the body's response system may cause inflammation to help protect the body. When inflammation becomes chronic, it ceases to have a beneficial function. Chronic inflammation has been associated with many chronic painful [Continue]

Do I Really Need a Pain Specialist?

From a medical point of view, pain is complicated. In the olden days (which in medicine is 25 years ago), pain was largely considered to be one thing that was managed based on whether it was mild or moderate or severe. Today, we know that pain is [Continue]

Coping with Chronic Pain: 10 Strategies

chronic pain patients face emotional challenges Chronic pain is paradoxical: it is a physical condition that often has an emotional component. The mental aspects of chronic pain are not frequently discussed, but deserve to be recognized. If you are [Continue]

The Relationship of Sleep & Pain

People who struggle with pain often find it affects their sleep. In fact, one measure of assessing pain levels used by doctors is to ask whether or not the pain affects your sleep. Many people with chronic pain may have trouble getting to sleep or [Continue]

Walk Away from Pain

Walking can be a great pain fighter Walking is a great exercise for a lot of reasons. First, no matter how unathletic you are or how big of a klutz you might be, you probably already know how to walk. Second, it’s an inexpensive form of [Continue]

The Obesity Link

Obese people have a four-fold risk of being in chronic pain compared to similar people of normal weight. Being overweight or obese puts added strain and stress on weight-bearing joints. For people with osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, or feet, [Continue]