December 2016 - Dr. Michael A. Castillo, MD

19 Dec 2016

Migraines More Than Just A ‘Headache’

Chronic Pain Conditionschronic headaches, headache, migraines

The distinction between a headache and a migraine can be hard to define. For those who have never been affected, the distinction between a headache and migraines can be hard to define. Headaches affect the head, are caused by stress, exhaustion, et cetera, and are painful [1]. Migraines are a type of headache that display all the same factors but on a greater scale. For individuals who suffer from migraines, the difference in severity is very real. Migraines are painful headaches that typically center on one side of the head and are often accompanied by nausea and blurred vision [1].…

Advancing Pain Management Medicine: Human Studies

Chronic Pain News, Nerve Pain, Peripheral Neuropathychronic pain, pain management

Nearly every advance in modern medicine, from diagnosis to treatment, has benefited from animal studies. Basic research has made vital contributions to all aspects of medical care, including our understanding of pain pathophysiology. However, the applicability of these findings to humans remains limited. “Translation from animal to human is hindered by many obstacles, in particular with the subject of pain, where the human organism and mind interact in quite a unique way,” Claudia Sommer, MD, a professor of neurology at the University of Würzburg in Germany, told Clinical Pain Advisor. Even so, valuable insights have been gained by the direct…

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Management

Peripheral Neuropathychronic pain management, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pain management, peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 60-70% of diabetic patients and a total of 347 million people worldwide.1 This complication is not only associated with painful symptoms, but can also lead to significant consequences such as paresthesia, loss of sensation, ulcers, osteomyelitis, gangrene, foot deformities, and amputation. Common symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy are listed in Table 1. Because the symptoms and complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can lead to a significant decrease in a patient's quality of life, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the various treatment options available in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately, treating…

Month: December 2016