All articles tagged with #pain management
Actress Viola Davis disclosed that she suffered from shingles in 2012, describing the nerve pain as a 9 out of 10. The condition, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, affected her despite her active lifestyle. Davis is now partnering with GSK to promote the Shingrix vaccine and encourage adults over 50 to seek medical attention for pain.
A massive global study published in Nature Medicine confirms that women report higher pain levels than men across all 11 body sites measured. Analyzing data from over 6 million people in 118 countries, the research highlights a persistent gender pain gap, with women experiencing more intense and widespread pain. The findings suggest that pain burden peaks in mid-to-late adulthood, with specific types like headache and abdominal pain rising earlier in life, while musculoskeletal pain increases steadily with age.
A massive global study published in Nature Medicine confirms that women report higher levels of pain than men across all 11 bodily sites measured. Analyzing data from over 6 million people in 118 countries, the research highlights a persistent gender pain gap, noting that women’s pain is often dismissed or undertreated despite being more prevalent. The findings suggest that pain burden peaks in mid-to-late adulthood, with specific types like headache and abdominal pain rising earlier in life, while musculoskeletal pain increases steadily with age.
A viral social media trend suggesting that placing a claw clip on the eyebrow can alleviate migraine pain has drawn attention from medical experts. While not a cure, neurologists explain that the method may offer temporary relief by stimulating the trigeminal nerve and diverting attention from pain signals. However, experts caution that the effect is transient, varies by individual, and should not replace prescribed treatments.
A long-term analysis of a Russian trial indicates that low-dose radiation therapy may not only relieve pain but also slow structural deterioration in early-stage knee osteoarthritis, potentially reducing disability and the need for knee replacements.
A major umbrella review from Adelaide University finds that exercise significantly reduces acute and chronic pain, with shorter, gentler routines outperforming longer, harder ones. The study suggests movement may rival common medications in efficacy without side effects.
A new study suggests that breast cancer patients with low vitamin D levels may experience more pain and require more opioid medication after surgery.
A network meta-analysis of 139 trials involving nearly 10,000 patients indicates that simple, low-cost interventions like knee braces, hydrotherapy, and regular exercise are the most effective non-drug treatments for knee osteoarthritis. These methods significantly reduce pain and stiffness while improving mobility, often outperforming high-tech alternatives such as ultrasound. The findings suggest that accessible physical therapies may offer safer alternatives to anti-inflammatory medications, which carry gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks, though researchers note that varying trial designs limit definitive conclusions.
Emergency medicine experts advise that certain types of pain should never be ignored, as they may signal life-threatening conditions. Key warning signs include sudden, persistent pain anywhere in the body; chest pain, especially in those with heart risk factors; calf pain accompanied by redness or swelling, which may indicate a blood clot; upper back pain with a tearing sensation, potentially signaling an aortic issue; and lower abdominal or flank pain, which could indicate kidney stones, infections, or appendicitis. While some pain may be benign, such as heartburn, medical professionals recommend erring on the side of caution and seeking evaluation to rule out serious underlying issues.
A Drexel University team reviewed over 600 records and 57 experimental-pain studies to map why music reduces pain. They identify three main mechanisms: music can improve mood, give people a sense of control, and encourage movement. Interventions are most effective when people actively engage with the music (such as tapping, singing, or playing an instrument), with singing along often more beneficial than passive listening. Brain and emotional processing data suggest music modulates pain networks, supporting the development of more personalized, music-based pain treatments in both acute and chronic settings.
A Washington Post Well+Being column outlines five warning signs of abdominal pain that may require urgent ER care, including sudden, severe pain; fever with vomiting; persistent vomiting and dehydration; abdominal distension or inability to pass gas or stool; and jaundice or dark urine suggesting liver or pancreatic problems. The piece stresses not ignoring these symptoms and seeking urgent evaluation when they occur to catch potentially dangerous conditions early.
Chronic low back pain, lasting more than 12 weeks, often has no identifiable cause, but experts say acupuncture, hydrotherapy (aquatic exercise) and cognitive behavioral therapy can provide moderate relief—especially when paired with regular activity—though complete pain elimination is rare and finding the right combination usually requires trial and error with a clinician.
A six-week randomized trial in 117 adults with knee osteoarthritis found that daily prebiotic inulin reduced pain and improved grip strength, suggesting gut health may influence inflammation and pain in OA; however, the study is small and not definitive, so prebiotics should complement—not replace—standard treatments, and intake can come from foods (onions, garlic, asparagus, oats, etc.) or supplements under professional guidance.
Your age, genetics, hair color, and substance use can affect how much anesthesia you’ll need during and after surgery, with redheads potentially requiring more anesthesia due to genetic variants.
Global research shows minority ethnic patients are routinely undervalued and undertreated for pain from birth to end of life, across emergency care, maternity, chronic pain, cancer, and palliative settings. Studies consistently find minority children receive less recognition of pain and fewer opioids, Black women face bias in childbirth, and minority cancer patients receive lower opioid prescriptions and doses, contributing to worse pain control and outcomes.