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The pressures and challenges of managing patients with chronic pain are inciting some practitioners to opt out. Dr. Zacharoff considers some aspects of the professional landscape that are contributing to this condition, and why the "math" concerning pain patients and pain specialists makes it...
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We need to understand the importance of the brain and patient's pain and try to take steps to figure out in an individual patient to what degree is the brain driving their pain and to what degree is the body driving their pain. Because in some sense, the treatments we use to target the brain are...
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The HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released what it describes as the first comprehensive clinical practice guideline for managing chronic pain in patients living with HIV. The guideline cites an historic pattern of undertreatment of pain...
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Last week, the HIV Medicine Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America released guidelines suggesting that HIV patients should be assessed for chronic pain. Asked to comment on the guidelines, Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, DAIPM, FCCP, FASHP, a pain specialist and longtime PAINWeek faculty...
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New research from Rush University, Chicago suggests that spousal criticism or dismissal, either real or perceived, may exacerbate the intensity of chronic low back pain, especially among women and those with depressive symptoms. Further, the association can be self-reinforcing, with spousal...
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Researchers from Mayo Clinic report that targeting senescent cells--cells that are associated with aging and age-related disease--can reverse bone loss and promote an increase in bone mass and strength. Their work with mouse models may open a path to the development of new and more effective...
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In addition to other shortcomings, current prescribing guidelines are particularly ill-suited to the needs and challenges of patients already on opioid therapy. Drs. Heit and Gourlay discuss the roots of the problem and the role of primary care as talented amateurs in addiction medicine.
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I think that buprenorphine actually should be one of the first line opioids. Pharmacologically, it's really a different animal. It's in the same kingdom, but just a different animal. Buprenorphine is available in two products that are specifically FDA approved for pain. Belbuca, which is the buccal...
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To date, medical marijuana has been legalized in 29 states plus the District of Columbia, with chronic pain and/or HIV/AIDS as qualifying conditions for treatment. But little is known about the impact of medical marijuana on opioid use in patients with chronic pain, including the at-risk for opioid...
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A new study suggests that pharmacological agents currently used for treating cancer and controlling tumor growth could also be effective in the management of chronic pain. The discovery of a new pain processing pathway could enable the development of new nonopioid treatment alternatives, according...