New definition of “pain” considers the elderly
For the first time in 40 years, a global authority has revised its clinical definition of pain, recognizing those who can’t describe their experience verbally.
Pain Management
Muscle relaxant prescriptions have tripled for older adults, find investigators
Clinicians may be prescribing the drugs as an opioid alternative for chronic pain management, propose the researchers. Opioids are often prescribed simultaneously, they found.
New advice for managing chronic pain: go low and slow
Treatment should start with low-risk, non-invasive strategies and slowly introduce pain medications, including opioids as needed, say Mayo Clinic geriatricians.
Arthritis pain treatment approved for OTC use
A prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory gel for arthritis is the first of its kind to be approved for over-the-counter use in the United States.
Clinical Briefs for Monday, February 10
Screen dementia patients for pain at every visit: new guidance from APA, AAN … New palliative medicine journal for clinicians launching in spring 2020 … U.S. hospitals harnessing resources to brace for any spike in coronavirus cases … Blood-based diagnostic sensor helps to accurately detect Alzheimer’s disease
Clinical Briefs for Friday, February 7
Rampant meds-skipping among chronic disease sufferers: pharmacist … ‘Risk profile’ should guide painkiller prescribing … Abdominal fat-cognition link found … Engineered proteins can be used to combat Alzheimer’s disease, lab says
Tramadol linked to greater risk of hip fracture compared to other pain meds
Tramadol users are more likely to experience hip fracture than their peers who take codeine or common NSAIDs, an analysis finds.
Low back pain treatment for older adults doesn’t match guidelines
Medicare recipients with low back pain are often given opioids and advanced imaging tests rather than guideline-recommended therapies, a study finds.
Clinical Briefs for Thursday, January 23
Use of opioids a balancing act when treating pain in residents with Alzheimer’s … GSK halts nationwide production of 2 Excedrin drugs … Drug combo reverses arthritis in rats … Discovery may lead to simplified treatment for blinding macular degeneration
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, January 21
Opioids often the first prescription for musculoskeletal pain: NIH … Preparing at-risk patient’s mind and body for surgery pays off, study suggests … Walnuts may be good for the gut and heart health … Wearable devices improve flu outbreak predictions
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