Pain is a normal part of life, but persistent pain is oppressive to endure. “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die,” said Roman emperor Julius Caesar, “than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” Yet, many people live with persistent pain, defined as physical suffering that lasts […]
Survival up for chronic lymphocytic leukemia 1995 to 2017
(HealthDay)—For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in routine care, overall survival improved from 1995 to 2017, according to a study recently published in Leukemia & Lymphoma. Rudolf Weide, M.D., from the Praxis für Hämatologie und Onkologie in Koblenz, Germany, and colleagues analyzed 724 CLL outpatients (median age, 67 years) to examine survival in routine […]
Pregnant women and those with chronic diseases should get a flu shot now
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting a continued increase in influenza activity for the week ending Nov. 30, there is still time to get a flu shot. The vaccine is especially important for at-risk populations, says a Purdue University public health expert. The flu shot is safe for at-risk populations such […]
Neuroscientists reveal link between cell ‘dark matter’ and chronic nerve pain
A study, which has revealed the link between neuropathic pain and ‘dark matter’ in cells, could pave the way for new treatments for patients suffering with chronic nerve pain. The research by the University of Sheffield has shown for the first time a significant correlation between neuropathic pain and the abundance of specific RNA molecules […]
Limited English proficiency may worsen chronic disease outcome
(HealthDay)—In predominantly English-speaking settings, patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and chronic conditions have higher rates of emergency department revisits and hospital readmissions than patients with English proficiency (EP), according to a research letter published in the Oct. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Shail Rawal, M.D., from the University of […]
This Diet Can Help Heal Your Chronic Pain
When it comes to diets, it often feels like there’s a new one every week. But for our health, it’s often best to stick with tried and true tactics that actually work. In this case, we’re talking about the anti-inflammatory diet. Sure, it isn’t new, but there are plenty of reasons it’s worth trying. After […]
Excess cause-specific mortality tied to chronic proton pump inhibitor use
(HealthDay)—Taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with an excess of cause-specific mortality, according to a study published online May 30 in The BMJ. Yan Xie, M.P.H., from St. Louis Health Care System, and colleagues conducted a longitudinal observational cohort study to estimate all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality among patients taking PPIs. Data were included […]
Chronic fear of environmental doom is afflicting the young
'Twelve years left to save the planet" read one recent headline, "one million species on the brink of extinction" read another. Little wonder that eco-anxiety – a chronic fear of environmental doom – is attracting growing attention, particularly as a problem among younger generations. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, started a global campaign for […]
Discovery of a mechanism responsible for chronic inflammation in multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system turns on its own cells and attacks them for reasons that are not yet known. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur have shown that ancient viruses are involved in the acute inflammatory defense response that may contribute to the disease. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is […]
FDA-approved drug effectively treats rare chronic immune disorders
A drug approved to treat a severe form of asthma dramatically improved the health of people with rare chronic immune disorders called hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) in whom other treatments were ineffective or intolerable. This finding comes from a small clinical trial led by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part […]