:: June 2009

Welcome to our Monthly Online Newsletter!

View all Treatment articles in our Treatment Report . The most recent articles are listed on top (not in alphabetical order). Click on the Topic on our home page and then the subtopic - Treatment Report. Stay updated on drugs and their side effects, and various other treatments, including exercise, nutrition, and supplements.

Over 10 Million Americans Are Taking Opioids Each Week, Study Finds “The researchers found opioids were used 'regularly' by 2 percent of those surveyed. An additional 2.9 percent used opioids less frequently. Regular opioid use increased with age, decreased with education level, and was more common in females and in non-Hispanic whites. The prevalence of regular opioid use increased over time and was highest in the South Central region of the country. Among regular users, almost half had been taking opioids for two or more years and nearly one-fifth had been taking opioids for five years or longer. There was also a much higher prevalence of other medication use among regular opioid users compared to nonusers. According to the researchers, given the large number of individuals affected, the recent increase in public health concern for safe and effective pain management is appropriate.“

NCCN - Cancer Pain Treatment Guidelines for Patients ø Version II, August 2005

NGC - ASPAN pain and comfort clinical guideline. (2003)

NGC - Assessment and management of acute pain. (2004)

NGC - Cancer pain. (2003)

NGC - Guideline for the management of cancer pain in adults and children. (2005)

NGC - Guidelines for the assessment and management of chronic pain. (2005)

NGC - Pain. (2004)

NGC - Pain management guidelines. (2005)

NGC - Pain management in the long-term care setting. (2003)

NGC - Persistent pain management. (2005)

Featured site

NIH - Pain

Mayo - Cancer pain treatment

Mayo - Pain Management Center

NIH - NCI Pain Management With Drugs

NIH - NCI Pain Overview

NIH - Pain

NIH - Pain

Pain Treatment Topics

The Oxford Pain Internet Site

Depression

Cancer - General

Depression

Psychological distress and help-seeking in patients with chronic pain. (Chang Gung Med J. 2005) "CONCLUSIONS: Significantly high psychiatric morbidity was found in patients with chronic pain, predominantly depression, but very few had sought psychiatric consultation. Psychiatric intervention is therefore necessary for effective chronic pain management."

Cancer - General

[Pain therapy in cancer patients] (MMW Fortschr Med. 2005) "Every person has a legal right to, receive appropriate treatment for his/her pain, which in advanced disease states, is a multidimensional condition. This means that in addition to nursing staff and physicians, spiritual counselors, social workers, physiotherapists and volunteer helpers must be included in the pain-management team. Despite all our efforts, the ideal of complete freedom from pain is unrealistic."