16 Nov 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Brain discovery leads to new treatments for neuropathy

Chronic Pain Conditions, Peripheral Neuropathy, Therapies & Treatments, , , ,
Peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating condition for which there are few effective treatments, mainly because we do not fully understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, say researchers whose latest discovery appears to shed new light in this area. The team, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, reports the discovery in The Journal of Neuroscience. They hope the findings will lead to new research to help patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 20 million people in the US have some form of peripheral neuropathy - trauma or disease damage to the peripheral…
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02 Nov 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Hormones Therapy: Newest Pain Care Advance

Chronic Pain Conditions, Nerve Pain, Therapies & Treatments, , , , ,
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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26 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Acupuncture for Diabetes

Therapies & Treatments, , , ,
For people with diabetes, the needle-based therapy known as acupuncture may offer a number of health benefits. Some research shows that acupuncture may help control diabetes by treating insulin resistance, while other studies indicate that this long-practiced form of traditional Chinese medicine may help protect against certain complications commonly linked to diabetes. Acupuncture and Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance occurs when your body fails to use insulin effectively. A hormone produced by the pancreas, insulin is responsible for helping your cells take in glucose (i.e., blood sugar) and use it for energy. In cases of insulin resistance, the cells have trouble absorbing glucose,…
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21 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Capsaicin Patch for Diabetic Neuropathic Pain

Chronic Pain Conditions, Peripheral Neuropathy, Therapies & Treatments, ,
Currently in the United States, capsaicin patches are approved for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, however they are not approved for diabetic neuropathic pain. In previous studies, capsaicin patches have demonstrated non-inferior efficacy to pregabalin in peripheral neuropathic pain, with faster onset of action, fewer systemic side effects, and greater treatment satisfaction. Therefore, researchers set out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capsaicin patch compared to placebo in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Researchers conducted a phase III, multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 12-week study, which included 369 patients with painful, distal, symmetrical, sensorimotor diabetic polyneuropathy, which lasted at least…
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14 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chronic Pain Conditions, Peripheral Neuropathy, Therapies & Treatments, ,
CHICAGO — As many as 50% of patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer experience chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. But most cases go undiagnosed, according to results presented at the American Neurological Association 2015 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Noah A. Kolb, MD, of the University of Utah, and colleagues studied the frequency of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and other neuropathy codes in three large databases: the Utah Cancer Registry, Population Database, and Electronic Data Warehouse. Overall, 984 patients exposed to neurotoxic chemotherapy were identified. Chemo Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Disorders of peripheral nerves are frequent complications of chemotherapy and certain other drug therapies. As…
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12 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Foot Care for Diabetes

Chronic Pain Conditions, Exercises to Help Pain, Therapies & Treatments, ,
More than 8 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic, or non-healing, wounds. While underlying causes of chronic wounds vary from patient to patient, they frequently occur in patients with diabetes, and often on the foot. Approximately one in four people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in his or her lifetime, potentially causing infection, disability or possible amputation. Foot ulcers may form for a number of reasons, among them poor circulation, an irritation, lack of feeling in the foot and foot deformities. When you have diabetes, proper foot care is very important. Poor foot care may lead…
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09 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Nonsurgical treatments for spinal stenosis

Chronic Pain Conditions, Nerve Pain, Therapies & Treatments, , ,
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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07 Oct 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com
Integrated Pain Management Approach

Integrated Pain Management Approach

Chronic Pain Conditions, Exercises to Help Pain, Nerve Pain, Peripheral Neuropathy, Therapies & Treatments, , ,
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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07 Sep 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Neuropathy 10 Things You Need to Know

Nerve Pain, Peripheral Neuropathy, Therapies & Treatments, , , ,
Life with neuropathy can be filled with unknowns – especially for those of us whose symptoms or diagnoses are relatively new. Navigating this new life with a painful condition can be (and most often is) overwhelming and frustrating. From bothersome symptoms like lack of muscle control to debilitating ones such as sharp, stabbing pains in the hands or feet, it can wreak havoc on your quality of life. Finding out as much information as possible about the condition, its causes and its treatments can go a long way in getting you onto the path to a better – and more pain…
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19 Jun 2015
By webadmin@macmdaz.com

Massage Therapy Benefits

Therapies & Treatments, , , ,
Massage Therapy is one of the oldest healing arts; it has been practiced for thousands of years to promote relaxation and well-being. The benefits of massage are far-reaching, having proven beneficial for many chronic conditions including: low back pain, arthritis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and more. According to a 2007 American Massage Therapy Association survey, almost a quarter of all adult Americans had at least one massage in the previous year. More and more people recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose from among many massage styles to get relief from symptoms or to heal injuries, to help…
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