Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.” Pain may be a symptom of an underlying disease or disorder, or a disorder in its own right.
Researchers find daily ginger consumption eases muscle pain by 25 percent – Daily ginger consumption reduces muscle pain caused by exercise, revealed by researchers at the University of Georgia. This is another healthy effect of ginger apart from its use in colds and upset stomachs.
Study: Roller coasters linked to common ear injury – The sharp turns, ups and downs, and high speeds of today’s roller coasters bring a lot of thrills, but if you’re not careful, the ride could also cause damage to your ears, say physicians at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Migraine: Aspirin and an antiemetic is a reasonable option – A single dose of 900-1000 mg aspirin can substantially reduce migraine headache pain within two hours, for more than half of people who take it. It also reduces any associated nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound (photophobia or phonophobia).
Use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with increased risk of suicide – An analysis of prescription and clinical claims data suggests that the use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with an increased risk of suicide, attempted suicide or violent death, according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA.
New form of insulin can be inhaled rather than injected — This new, quick acting insulin inhaler uses a powder (AFREZZA?) to deliver the medication. – Scientists described a new ultra-rapid acting mealtime insulin (AFREZZA?) that is orally inhaled for absorption via the lung. Because the insulin is absorbed so rapidly, AFREZZA’s profile closely mimics the normal early insulin response seen in healthy individuals.
State Public Health Director Announces Tuberculosis Cases Hit Record Low Despite Recent Outbreak — Illinois still ranks 5th in the nation for highest number of TB cases – In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced an all time low for the number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in Illinois.
Panel questions ‘VBAC bans,’ advocates expanded delivery options for women — Parents’ preferences and risk factors should be weighed when choosing whether to pursue a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or plan a repeat cesarean delivery – An independent panel convened this week by the National Institutes of Health confronted a troubling fact that pregnant women currently have limited access to clinicians and facilities able and willing to offer a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery because of so-called VBAC bans.
Stress — don’t let it grind you down — Sleep bruxism common in stressed people – People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers found that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by escaping from difficult situations.
Regular exercise reduces patient anxiety by 20 percent, study finds – The anxiety that often accompanies a chronic illness can chip away at quality of life and make patients less likely to follow their treatment plan. But regular exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, a new University of Georgia study shows.
Survey finds significant racial differences in lung cancer beliefs – A new survey finds that while both whites and African Americans know and think little about lung cancer, African Americans are more likely to hold beliefs and perceptions about the disease that could interfere with prevention and treatment.
Autism’s earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months — Condition is characterized by a slow decline rather than an abrupt loss of skills, study says – A study of the development of autism in infants, comparing the behavior of the siblings of children diagnosed with autism to that of babies developing normally, has found that the nascent symptoms of the condition – a lack of shared eye contact, smiling and communicative babbling – are not present at 6 months, but emerge gradually and only become apparent during the latter part of the first year of life.
Botulinum toxin injection may help prevent some types of migraine pain – A preliminary study suggests the same type of botulinum injection used for cosmetic purposes may be associated with reduced frequency of migraine headaches that are described as crushing, vicelike or eye-popping (ocular), but not pain that is experienced as a buildup of pressure inside the head.
