Not Just Keyboards: Many Types of Workers Can Develop Carpal Tunnel

• Robert Preidt
• April 8, 2021
• Full Page

In a discovery that shows carpal tunnel syndrome doesn't strike just office workers, researchers report that people who work in construction or manufacturing have a higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome than those with desk jobs.

Why the higher rates of injury among manu...

For People With PAD, Exercise Can Be Tough But Rewarding

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• April 7, 2021
• Full Page

Fast-paced walking is painful for the millions of people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). But new research shows that a slower, pain-free pace won't cut it if improvement in mobility is the goal.

The study included more than 300 of the roughly 8.5 million Ameri...

He Watched His Hospitalized Son Battle COVID-Linked Illness

• Serena McNiff HealthDay Reporter
• March 31, 2021
• Full Page

In January, the coronavirus swept through Brian and Maria Padla's family of seven in Philadelphia, starting with their oldest daughter, 16, and then infecting Brian, Maria, and their four younger children.

The virus seemingly came and went without much fanfare for the fa...

What Is Endometriosis, and How Is It Treated?

• Robert Preidt
• March 30, 2021
• Full Page

There's no cure for endometriosis, but women have several treatment options for the painful condition, an expert says.

With endometriosis, tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, where it can reach the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel, bla...

Most Post-Surgical Opioids Go Unused: Study

• Robert Preidt
• March 26, 2021
• Full Page

Using cellphones to track patients' painkiller use, a new study found more than 60% of opioid painkillers prescribed to surgical patients after their procedures went unused.

That has implications for the ongoing epidemic of opioid misuse in the United States, where unuse...

A Noninvasive Alternative for Painful Arthritic Knees

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• March 22, 2021
• Full Page

For those who suffer painful arthritis in their aging knees, new research suggests a noninvasive treatment might deliver lasting relief.

Called genicular artery embolization, the roughly two-hour catheter treatment involves a once-and-done injection of tiny hydrogel part...

Some Long Haul COVID Patients Are Feeling Better After Vaccination

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• March 17, 2021
• Full Page

For many, it's like emerging suddenly from a long, dark tunnel.

Some people who've been laid low for months by so-called "long haul" symptoms after a coronavirus infection say that within days of getting their COVID-19 vaccine, those symptoms nearly disappeared.

Sp...

For Amputees, a New Kind of Surgery May Allow Better Control, Sensation

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• March 9, 2021
• Full Page

A new type of surgery offers amputees better control of muscles that remain after surgery, and of their prosthetic limbs, its inventors say.

The standard surgical approach to amputation has changed little since the American Civil War, according to developers of the new a...

Opioid Use (and Overuse) for Knee Arthritis Takes Big Financial Toll

• Robert Preidt
• March 5, 2021
• Full Page

Opioids and arthritic knees are a costly mix, new research claims.

"These data offer new evidence of the magnitude of the societal burden generated by opioid use and misuse, and could be used to educate health care providers and health policy decision makers on the best ...

Study Debunks Notion That Statin Meds Trigger Muscle Aches

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• March 1, 2021
• Full Page

People taking statin drugs often complain of muscle aches, but a new study finds the medications are unlikely to be the culprit.

The results come from a trial involving patients who had quit taking their statins, or were considering quitting, due to muscle pain.

Th...

'What's Wrong With Me?' Young COVID Survivors Battle Long-Haul Symptoms

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 23, 2021
• Full Page

It's been nearly a year since David Speal, 38, first fell ill with COVID-19, but a racing heartbeat remains a regular reminder of his brush with the new coronavirus.

Even the littlest thing -- not eating at the right time, not drinking enough water, too much exercise, a ...

Should You Take a Painkiller Before Your COVID Vaccine?

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

You finally managed to score an appointment to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus and you're a little nervous about side effects, so taking a painkiller right before you get your shot seems like a smart idea.

Not so fast, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ...

Music Could Be a Post-Op Panacea, Study Finds

• Ernie Mundell and Cara Murez HealthDay Reporters
• January 29, 2021
• Full Page

Heart surgery can be stressful, but researchers may have found a way to reduce patients' anxiety and postoperative pain -- without any extra side effects.

A team from the Netherlands found that the simple act of listening to music around the time of surgery may help pati...

Could High Pollen Levels Trigger Pelvic Pain?

• Steven Reinberg
• January 8, 2021
• Full Page

Most folks are familiar with the havoc that high pollen levels can wreak on their lungs, but new research suggests they can also exacerbate a painful pelvic condition in some people.

"Our study provides evidence to suggest increased pollen counts may trigger symptom flar...

What Exercise Regimen Works Best to Ease Lower Back Pain?

• Alan Mozes
• December 30, 2020
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2020 (HealthDay) -- Chronic lower back pain can make the most routine tasks difficult. But a new study suggests patients can learn new, practical and less painful ways to move through individualized "motor skills training," or MST.

A two-year study of...

'Stepped' Approach to Exercise Can Help With Arthritic Knees

• Steven Reinberg
• December 29, 2020
• Full Page

Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of arthritic knees. But an innovative exercise regimen may help relieve discomfort and improve knee function, a new study finds.

The program is called STEP-KOA (short for stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarth...

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Arthritis Pain

• December 20, 2020
• Full Page

Chronic pain can be excruciating, debilitating and hard to describe.

Yet the best way to get the right treatment for the exact pain you're experiencing is to put those symptoms into words, so your doctor can pinpoint a diagnosis and help you find relief.

The Arthri...

Can Mindfulness Help Ease Migraine?

• Amy Norton
• December 17, 2020
• Full Page

A mind-body practice that combines meditation and yoga might help people better manage migraine pain, a new clinical trial finds.

The trial, which tested the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), found that the approach helped relieve migraine sufferers' ...

Sickle Cell Puts Black Patients at Higher Risk for Severe COVID

• Dennis Thompson
• December 15, 2020
• Full Page

Sickle cell disease increases the risk of death or serious complications from COVID-19 infection, a pair of new studies suggests.

People with sickle cell disease -- a genetic blood disorder predominantly found in Black people -- are 6.2 times more likely to die from COVI...

Working at Home Brings Its Own Health Perils: Survey

• Denise Mann
• December 10, 2020
• Full Page

Working from home may take its toll on mental and physical health, but making some tweaks to your workspace and your headspace may help maximize the potential benefits and minimize any downsides, a new survey suggests.

Nearly 65% of people who were working from home due ...

Smile When You Get That COVID Vaccine, It'll Hurt Less

• Cara Murez
• December 4, 2020
• Full Page

Could a genuine smile be the key to getting a less-painful vaccination? Researchers from University of California, Irvine, say yes.

That genuine smile, which brings up the corners of the mouth and creates crow's feet around the eyes, can reduce the pain of a needle injec...

Need an IV or Stitches? Virtual Reality or Hypnosis Might Ease Pain

• Steven Reinberg
• December 1, 2020
• Full Page

Virtual reality glasses or hypnosis can relieve pain and anxiety in people having short medical procedures, a new study finds.

For those getting an IV catheter or stitches to close a wound, for example, these distraction techniques reduce the need for painkillers, say r...

A 'Stunning' Alternative Rx for Arthritic Joints?

• Amy Norton
• November 19, 2020
• Full Page

A procedure that "stuns" pain-sensing nerves might offer relief to people with severe arthritis of the hip or shoulder, a small, preliminary study suggests.

The procedure is a form of radiofrequency ablation, where doctors use needles to send a low-grade electrical curre...

1 in 3 High School Seniors Who Misuse Prescription Opioids Turn to Heroin

• Steven Reinberg
• October 28, 2020
• Full Page

Among high school seniors, nearly a third of those who misuse prescription opioids use heroin by age 35, a new study shows.

"It is a very timely study given the number of adolescents and young adults who were overprescribed opioids and who are now aging into adulthood," ...

'Tough Guy' Mentality Keeps Athletes in Denial About Pain

• Steven Reinberg
• October 23, 2020
• Full Page

A culture of toughness and resilience is encouraged among elite college rowers, but it can keep them from reporting injuries, a new study finds.

There's an overall myth among athletes that admitting pain is a sign of weakness and failure, the researchers said.

Fewer Painful Procedures Could Help Preemies' Brain Development: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• October 21, 2020
• Full Page

Giving fewer needle sticks to premature newborns in the intensive care unit may improve growth of a key brain area, a new study suggests.

The thalamus relays sensory data from the body to the rest of the brain, where it registers as pain, touch or temperature.

Older Adults Turning to Pot for Common Health Problems

• Steven Reinberg
• October 20, 2020
• Full Page

Marijuana is fast becoming a favorite medication among older Americans, a new study finds.

Cannabis is being used to ease problems such as pain, sleep disturbances and psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, researchers say.

Among more than 55...

1 in 3 Americans With Arthritis Say Pain, Symptoms Persist

• Cara Roberts Murez
• October 20, 2020
• Full Page

About 30 million U.S. adults live with osteoarthritis and the pain and stiffness it causes, a new survey finds.

And nearly one-third of these people said their symptoms are not well-managed, according to the Arthritis Foundation survey of almost 2,000 adults. In oste...

Bogus 'Cure' Claims Have U.S. Consumers Snapping Up CBD Products

• Dennis Thompson
• October 15, 2020
• Full Page

CBD has been widely marketed as a cure-all for whatever ails you, and a new study finds many Americans are buying the sales pitch.

Researchers tracking a Reddit forum on CBD found many folks discussing use of cannabidiol to treat conditions for which there are proven, ...

Reduced Drinking May Improve Veterans' Chronic Pain

• Robert Preidt
• October 9, 2020
• Full Page

Cutting back on booze may reduce chronic pain and use of other substances among U.S. veterans who are heavy drinkers, according to a new report.

The study included about 1,500 veterans who completed annual surveys between 2003 and 2015, and reported heavy drinking in...

Many Using Cannabis for Pain Take Opioids, Too

• Steven Reinberg
• October 8, 2020
• Full Page

People using cannabis for pain may still be taking opioid painkillers, a new study suggests.

Researchers looked at cannabis and nonprescription opioid use among 211 individuals in the New York City area. Over 90 days, the investigators found that opioid use was at l...

During and After Surgery, Pot Users Need More Anesthesia, Painkillers: Study

• Dennis Thompson
• October 6, 2020
• Full Page

Marijuana users appear to need more anesthesia than nonusers, and also more opioids to relieve their pain after surgery, a new, preliminary study reports.

Users of cannabis products who had surgery for a broken leg required higher doses of sevoflurane, an inhaled ane...

Got Sciatica? Stay Active and Start Early on Physical Therapy

• Amy Norton
• October 5, 2020
• Full Page

For people with back pain caused by sciatica, it might be a good idea to start physical therapy sooner rather than later, a new clinical trial suggests.

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, through the hip and...

Older Patients at Risk When Dentists Prescribe Opioids

• Robert Preidt
• September 28, 2020
• Full Page

Seniors who take depression and anxiety drugs shouldn't be prescribed opioid painkillers by their dentist because it puts them at increased risk for problems, researchers warn.

They analyzed 2011-15 dental and medical data for 40,800 patients aged 65 and older across...

Parent's Skin-to-Skin Hug Does Ease a Baby's Pain, Brain Study Suggests

• Robert Preidt
• September 24, 2020
• Full Page

Infants may feel less pain when held by a parent with skin-to-skin contact, a new U.K. study suggests.

"We have found when a baby is held by their parent with skin-on-skin contact, the higher-level brain processing in response to pain is somewhat dampened. The baby's...

Middle-Aged Americans Report More Pain Than Seniors

• Amy Norton
• September 21, 2020
• Full Page

Middle-aged Americans are living with more physical pain than older adults are -- and the problem is concentrated among the less-educated, a new study finds.

The pattern may seem counterintuitive, since older age generally means more chronic health conditions and wea...

Study Tackles Long-Term Opioid Use Among Retired NFL Players

• Robert Preidt
• September 16, 2020
• Full Page

Many former National Football League (NFL) players who took opioid painkillers early in their retirement still used them nine years later, a new study finds.

The researchers also found that those who continued to use opioids were more likely to report moderate to sev...

Is Arthritis Pain Relief as Close as Your Spice Rack?

• Amy Norton
• September 14, 2020
• Full Page

It's a must for any good curry, and a new clinical trial suggests that turmeric might ease arthritis pain, too.

Researchers found that an extract of the spice turmeric worked better than a placebo in easing pain from knee arthritis over three months. The treatment wa...

Rare Tumor Slows, But Won't Stop Young Drama Teacher

• Serena Gordon
• September 2, 2020
• Full Page

Christina Kosyla, a drama and yoga teacher in her late 20s, was about to take the trip of a lifetime when she felt a strange twinge in her shoulder. A co-worker also pointed out some slight swelling in Kosyla's shoulder.

Kosyla and her best friend were planning to h...

1 in 20 Older Americans Smoke Pot Regularly, Survey Finds

• Dennis Thompson
• September 1, 2020
• Full Page

Marijuana use is on the rise among older Americans, with one in 20 saying they had used within the previous month, according to a new study.

About 5% of men and women aged 55 and older said they'd used marijuana or hashish in the previous month between 2016 and ...

Are Opioids Prescribed Too Freely as Patients Are Moved to Nursing Homes?

• Serena McNiff
• August 28, 2020
• Full Page

When hospital patients are moved to a skilled nursing facility, they are too often given a prescription for a high-dose opioid painkiller, new research suggests.

For the study, researchers at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy looked at nearly 4,400 hosp...

Sprains, Strains? New Guidelines Urge OTC Painkillers, Not Opioids

• Amy Norton
• August 17, 2020
• Full Page

People with common muscle and joint injuries should skip opioids and instead reach for over-the-counter pain relievers, new treatment guidelines suggest.

The recommendations, from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Medicine (AAFP), cove...

Depression May Hinder Recovery From Narrowed Arteries

• Steven Reinberg
• August 17, 2020
• Full Page

People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and depression have worse recovery than those who aren't depressed, a new study finds.

That's especially true for women, the researchers said.

"This is the first study to document how depressive symptoms may co...

Most Knee Cracking Is Normal, Expert Says

• Steven Reinberg
• August 16, 2020
• Full Page

If your knees crack when you walk or run, don't be too worried, an expert says.

"Knee cracking could mean lots of things," said Harshvardhan Singh, assistant professor in the department of physical therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "If it is painfu...

After NFL Career Ends, Black Players Suffer More Health Woes Than Whites

• Alan Mozes
• August 14, 2020
• Full Page

Despite the fame and fortune that comes with being an elite athlete, new research finds that Black NFL players are much more likely than their white peers to be in poor health once they retire.

After surveying nearly 3,800 former pro football players, investigators f...

Gene Could Explain Why Some Women Don't Need Pain Relief in Childbirth

• Robert Preidt
• July 22, 2020
• Full Page

A genetic variant that acts as a natural pain reliever may explain why some women don't require pain relief during childbirth, researchers say.

The level of pain and discomfort experienced during childbirth varies widely, so researchers at the University of Cambridge...

'Jeopardy' Host Alex Trebek Tells Fans Cancer Treatments Are 'Paying Off'

• E.J. Mundell
• July 17, 2020
• Full Page

FRIDAY, July 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Fans of "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek got a health update for the first time in months on Thursday when he told followers that his treatments for pancreatic cancer are "paying off."

"I'm doing well," the 79-year-old host said ...

What Jobs Are Toughest on the Knees?

• Steven Reinberg
• July 14, 2020
• Full Page

Joint replacements for knee osteoarthritis are becoming more common, and now researchers have identified jobs that may lead to one.

Based on a review of 71 studies that included nearly one million workers, the riskiest occupations include agriculture, construction, ...

Does Medical Marijuana Help or Harm Kids With Cancer?

• Amy Norton
• July 13, 2020
• Full Page

Parents are increasingly interested in whether medical marijuana can help their children with problems like cancer-related pain and nausea -- but there's concern about interactions with their medications and a general lack of research.

That's one of the main takeaway...

Most Survivors of Severe COVID-19 Report Symptoms Many Weeks After 'Recovery'

• E.J. Mundell
• July 10, 2020
• Full Page

Even a month after hospital discharge and "recovery," a majority of patients who had survived severe COVID-19 were still dealing with fatigue, shortness of breath and other symptoms, Italian research shows.

The study tracked outcomes for 143 hospitalized patients tre...