Uncertainties over back pain relief

back pain

A new study by researchers at Brunel University London, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Sydney, published in the BMJ, looked at 69 different medicines or combinations of analgesic medicines including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, skeletal muscle relaxants and corticosteroids to compare their effectiveness for adults with acute low back pain. The […]

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Increase in use of opioids during pandemic

back pain

The use of opioids for pain relief in patients awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery increased dramatically during the pandemic according to new research from the University of Aberdeen. Published in the BMJ Quality & Safety, the study found that the numbers of patients using opioids while waiting for surgery increased by 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Opioids such as morphine and tramadol are […]

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Sunflower peptide as “template” for potential analgesic

sunflower peptide

A naturally occurring peptide in sunflower seeds was synthetically optimised and has now been identified as a potential drug for treating abdominal pain or inflammation (in the gastrointestinal tract, abdominal area and/or internal organs). That is the finding of an international study led by Christian Gruber from MedUni Vienna’s Institute of Pharmacology (Center for Physiology […]

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Acupuncture for advanced cancer patients

Up to 70 per cent of patients with advanced stage cancer suffer from pain for which they receive inadequate pain relief. This can lead to impaired physical and psychological well-being, resulting in a poorer quality of life (van den Beuken-vanEverdingen et al, 2007). Many practitioners consider acupuncture to be a viable way to combat this […]

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The evolution of pain medication

The Hippocratic Post - opioids

Thousands of years after humans discovered the pain-relieving effects of resin from opium poppies, clinicians still rely on opioids, which are drugs derived from poppies or synthetic versions, to treat severe pain, which reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. Opioids bind to specific receptors in the nerve system, mimicking a natural neurotransmitter […]

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The highs and lows of cannabinoid

CBD

‘When people think of cannabis, they usually think of the recreational drug and the psychoactive compound THC. However, another very important component of cannabis, also known as hemp, is cannabidiol (CBD) which has no ‘high’ or side effects associated with cannabis. Indeed, it has many proven health benefits. Studies show that CBD has an impact […]

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New ways to kill pain

opioids

Thousands of years after humans discovered the pain-relieving effects of resin from opium poppies, clinicians still rely in opioids to treat severe pain, which reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. Medications that fall within this class include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) and morphine (Kadian) and codeine. ‘Opiods still work best for […]

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Fight pain with food

The Hippocratic Post - pain relief

Certain foods are thought to have natural pain relieving properties. And foods don’t have the unpleasant side effects that many pain medications may have. Here are some foods that may help with pain management. Cherries Cherries contain powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins which have been reported to reduce inflammation and inhibit pain enzymes just like […]

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Pills for pain

Unused prescription drugs

Chronic pain is one of the major health concerns in the UK. According to the National Pain Audit, published in 2011, over 7.8 million people in the UK say that they live with significant pain that does not go way, compared to seven million people who suffer from cardiovascular disease and around four million sufferers […]

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