Buprenorphine Patches in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Transdermal buprenorphine may be an effective therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). However the treatment was associated with a high rate of adverse events, mostly nausea and/or vomiting. The findings come from a newly published multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Ninety-three patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes were enrolled and received either buprenorphine (5μg/h) or placebo patches. All the patients had been experiencing moderate to severe DPNP for a minimum of 6 months on maximal tolerated conventional therapy. The dose was titrated to effect to a maximum of 40μg/h for the study. Results showed that of those…
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Nervous System Triggers Pain Sensation

Pain is a sensation that is triggered in the nervous system. It can be sharp or dull and last for short or long periods. Pain may be localized to a specific area of the body such as the abdomen, chest or back or it can be felt all over the body, such as when a person experiences all over muscle ache as a result of flu. Pain serves as a warning that something is wrong and can help in diagnosing a problem. Without pain, a person would be unaware that they had hurt themselves or that they have a medical…
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Degenerative Disc Disease: What is it & how is it treated?

What is Degenerative Disc Disease? Degenerative Disc Disease (or DDD) is caused by degeneration of the discs in the spinal column. Age can cause this, but most of the time it is cause by some sort of trauma to the spine. People with bulging or herniated disc almost always have this disease, as well as people with Scoliosis. Symptoms range from person to person as well as the particular location of the spinal injury. People with lower back injuries can experience numbness and tingling in the legs and buttocks. The symptoms can also get as severe as temporary paralysis in…
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Using Reflexology to Treat Pain

If you're looking for an alternative to pain medication, reflexology may be an option. Find out if you could benefit from this form of massage. Sometimes pain therapy can be downright relaxing. Although getting a massage may conjure up the image of a spa rather than a medical office, reflexology, which involves the placement of the practitioner’s hands on your feet, is an approach that may ease stress and bring you pain relief at the same time. In a reflexology session, a practitioner will apply pressure using the fingers and thumbs. Some may use a specially designed tool to apply…
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Easing Pain: complementary therapies

Psychologists are exploring complementary therapies and integrated approaches to better treat the complex problem of chronic pain. If cancer is "the emperor of all maladies," as physician and author Siddhartha Mukherjee wrote, chronic pain may be the empress, affecting 100 million people in the United States and costing up to $630 billion each year in treatments and lost productivity, according to a 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). For many, pain digs in and cuts deep. A 2012 survey funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) found that some 25.3 million U.S. adults —…
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Plantar Fasciitis: Causes and Treatments

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. Heel pain may be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, nerve irritation, or arthritis. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly evaluated and diagnosed. The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched…
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Autonomic neuropathy in diabetic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy in diabetic neuropathy has an effect on hypoglycemia symptoms. Autonomic neuropathy is when the nerves that control bodily functions become damaged. Blood pressure, temperature control, digestion, bladder function and sexual function can all be affected by autonomic neuropathy. Normally, nerves send messages to the brain and other organs to ensure they function properly. Because autonomic neuropathy damages these nerves, signals cannot be properly sent, thus causing complications and loss of control. The most common cause of autonomic neuropathy is diabetes but even infections have been shown to cause it. Medications, too, can contribute to autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes, a…
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Hormones Therapy: Newest Pain Care Advance

Severe, uncontrolled pain may exhaust the adrenal gland, resulting in low levels of pregnenolone and cortisol. While adequate pain control will usually normalize serum hormone levels, opioid-induced suppression of the system may require additional treatment. The effect of severe, persistent pain on the hormone system is profoundly negative.1-5 If the patient’s hormone system is not kept homeostatic and balanced, the patient with pain will rapidly age and deteriorate. Episodic excess of cortisol in the blood, which occurs during pain flares, is particularly deleterious. Consequently, the achievement of hormonal balance—not too high or too low—has to be a primary goal of…
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Nonsurgical treatments for spinal stenosis

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis about 12 years ago. I haven't had many symptoms over the years, but about six months ago I started noticing increasing discomfort in my legs. Is surgery an option to treat spinal stenosis? If not, what else can I do? The leg pain is making it hard for me to walk. ANSWER: Surgery usually isn't necessary to treat spinal stenosis. Often a combination of lifestyle changes, physical therapy and medication can effectively decrease the pain and discomfort caused by this common back problem. Spinal stenosis occurs when the open space within…
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Integrated Pain Management Approach

Integrated Pain Management Approach

Logan resident Dawn Carter’s life changed in January 2015 following an accidental fall down a flight of stairs. Originally diagnosed with just a concussion, complications from the injury now cause Carter to experience chronic nerve pain and migraines, in addition to seizures and memory loss. “There is really nothing (my doctors) can do about my pain,” Carter said. “It hurts so bad (that) I feel like an electric eel is swimming throughout my body. It mainly starts in my wrist and works up my arms, up to my shoulders and down to my back.” According to data gathered by the…
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