Panel cites need for individualized, patient-centered approach for chronic pain (USA)
January 16, 2015
Panel cites need for individualized, patient-centered approach for chronic pain
“Persons living with chronic pain have often been grouped into a single category, and treatment approaches have been generalized with little evidence to support this practice,” said Dr. David B. Reuben, panel chair and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Chronic pain spans a multitude of conditions, presents in different ways, and requires an individualized, multifaceted approach.”
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-panel-cites-individualized-patient-centered-approach.html
A combination of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs seems to be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia and possibly ME and CFS
January 16, 2015
It is known that infections and other types of stressors are capable of triggering the development of FM. We hypothesize that these stressors could be responsible for triggering a reactivation of latent herpesviruses, and that this reactivation could in turn lead to the central nervous system dysregulation seen in this condition. The present study was designed to evaluate an anti-viral drug combination selected for activity against herpes class viruses.
Background to this study is on http://simmaronresearch.com/2013/12/big-antiviral-trial-era-fibromyalgia/
Imaging study finds first evidence of neuroinflammation in brains of chronic pain patients
January 16, 2015
Imaging study finds first evidence of neuroinflammation in brains of chronic pain patients
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has found, for the first time, evidence of neuroinflammation in key regions of the brains of patients with chronic pain. By showing that levels of an inflammation-linked protein are elevated in regions known to be involved in the transmission of pain, the study published online in the journal Brain paves the way for the exploration of potential new treatment strategies and identifies a possible way around one of the most frustrating limitations in the study and treatment of chronic pain – the lack of an objective way to measure the presence or intensity of pain.
Experience of pain relies on multiple brain pathways, not just one
January 16, 2015
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder finds that when we use our thoughts to dull or enhance our experience of pain, the physical pain signal in the brain—sent by nerves in the area of a wound, for example, and encoded in multiple regions in the cerebrum—does not actually change. Instead the act of using thoughts to modulate pain, a technique called “cognitive self-regulation” that is commonly used to manage chronic pain, works via a separate pathway in the brain.
The findings, published in the journal PLOS Biology this month, show that the processing of pain in our brains goes beyond the mere physical pain signal and underscore a growing understanding among neuroscientists that there is not a single pain system in the brain, as was once believed.
Researchers discover new ‘trick’ steroids use to suppress inflammation
A new “trick” steroids use to suppress inflammation, which could be used to make new anti-inflammatory drugs without the harmful side effects of steroids, has been discovered by researchers at Georgia State University.
Their findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Study Suggests Certain Noncancer Pain Conditions Associated With Increased Risk Of Suicide
June 22, 2013
“There is a need for increased awareness of suicide risk in individuals with certain noncancer pain diagnoses, in particular back pain, migraine, and psychogenic pain,” the study concludes”
JAMA Psychiatry. Published online May 22, 2013. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.908
Chronic Pain Alters DNA Marking In The Brain – mechanism embeds the memory of an injury in the way the DNA is marked in the brain
February 20, 2013
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a mechanism that embeds the memory of an injury in the way the DNA is marked in the brain by a chemical coating called methyl groups or DNA methylation. The researchers report in the journal PLOS One, that if the symptoms of chronic pain are attenuated, the abnormal changes in DNA methylation could be reversed.
Chronic Pain Alters DNA Marking In The Brain
Chronic pain is to be targeted in the next pharmacy public health campaign in Scotland, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is launching a package of resources to support pharmacists to deliver the campaign.
The chronic pain campaign is one of the national campaigns that community pharmacies provide under the Public Health Service (a core service in the community pharmacy contract). The campaign starts in February. It aims to empower patients with chronic pain by encouraging them to talk to their pharmacist about pain, access health information and join support groups.
Chronic pain focus of Scotland’s next public health campaign | PJ Online
Action is needed to help people who suffer long-term pain, the Patients Association says.
The survey of more than 4,400 people found while many had suffered chronic problems, too few were given the help or support to deal with it.
The report called on the government to improve access to services and training of staff.
Chronic pain is pain lasting more than 12 weeks. About eight million people are thought to suffer at any one time.
But the report, funded by Napp, a drugs firm which specialises in pain control, said there was just one pain specialist for every 32,000 sufferers
Only 81 of 204 (40%) pain clinics in England were able to offer a fully multidisciplinary pain service ( BMJ 2012; 345)
December 21, 2012
It shows that this is not just a Scottish issue.
BUT, what sense does it make to strive for having a team consisting of a psychologist, physiotherapist and a physician for every possible type of pain including visceral, musculoskeletal, allodynia, and so on?!
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