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Opioid painkillers after surgery can be the first step toward addiction for some patients. But a new study shows that one common drug may reduce the amount of narcotics a patient needs. When a non-opioid painkiller called gabapentin was administered before and after surgery, the continued use of opioid painkillers was reduced by 24%, according […]

Medications taken by millions of Americans for mood disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic diseases have the unhealthy side effect of weight gain. The drugs are not only a cause of weight gain, says Ryan Lu, director of pharmacy for the Harris County Hospital District in Houston, but they also have the potential […]

Many people with epilepsy also have other serious comorbidities, such as heart disease and cancer, at higher rates than the general population, U.S. health officials said Thursday. Worse, these comorbidities are often ignored or undertreated by doctors and patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people with epilepsy not only live […]

Without the ability to feel pain, life would be more dangerous. To avoid injury, pain can teach us to use a hammer more carefully, wait for soup to cool, or wear gloves when playing snowballs. People with a rare genetic condition that prevents them from feeling pain cannot protect themselves from environmental threats, resulting in […]

A team of scientists led by chemists Stephen Martin and James Thurn at the University of Texas at Austin has discovered a potent analgesic that acts on a previously unknown pain pathway. The synthetic compound, known as UKH-1114, relieves neuropathic pain in injured mice as effectively as the widely used analgesic gabapentin. If researchers can […]

Getting a new knee or hip is life-changing, but first you have to overcome the post-surgery recovery. Experts say that a combination of the right medications and other tips can make the recovery easier. A useful mnemonic (memory aid) in this case is the term RICE. This is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and […]

The pain and discomfort of a herniated disc can greatly affect your quality of life. Here is what you need to know about herniated discs, including what they are, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, learn about medications, self-care, surgery, and lifestyle options to help relieve pain. What is a herniated disk? The […]

Many women suffer from menopausal changes and discomfort. From hot flashes and mood swings to sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness, a range of symptoms can have a significant impact on daily life. Treating these symptoms requires a variety of approaches, including medications, lifestyle adjustments, and self-care strategies. This article provides an overview of the most […]

Gabapentin (GBP) is superior to pregabalin (PGB) in the treatment of patients with chronic sciatica (CS), with fewer and less severe adverse events (AEs), according to a study published October 15 in JAMA Neurology. Kelvin Robertson and colleagues from Townsville Hospital in Australia conducted an interim analysis of a randomized, double-dummy, double-blind crossover study of […]

(HealthDay)–Researchers report that they have created a device that short-circuits epileptic seizures in rats. The device, similar in design to an implantable defibrillator, is placed in the brain and responds only when seizures begin to occur, essentially interrupting the electrical activity of the seizures. The self-regulating device electrically stimulates the brain at the beginning of […]