Pain
News
Medical cannabis does not reduce use of prescription meds
“This study did not identify important effects of medical cannabis laws on receipt of opioid or nonopioid pain treatment among patients with...
Commentary
New DEA CME mandate affects 2 million prescribers
One should not underestimate the sweeping scope of this new federal requirement.
Commentary
Are you a physician ... or a vending machine?
We stopped prescribing oxycodone and now people are on gabapentin in the highest doses, diversion is up, and so is its abuse.
News
Regular exercise may boost pain tolerance
“There were indications that both total amount of physical activity over time, as well as the direction of change in activity level over time...
News
Researchers locate signals in brain related to chronic pain
“Such patterns of brain activity could serve as biomarkers to guide diagnosis and treatment for millions of people with shooting or burning...
Guidelines
New guidelines for cannabis in chronic pain management released
New clinical practice guidelines for cannabis in chronic pain management may help clinicians offer an effective and less addictive alternative to...
From the Journals
Watch for buprenorphine ‘spiking’ in urine drug tests
Some patients undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder alter their urine drug test results by adding buprenorphine directly to their urine.
From the Journals
Depression tied to inflammation and survival in lung cancer
A new study’s findings underscore the importance of assessing and treating depression in patients with cancer, particularly given the high rate of...
From the Journals
Buprenorphine proves effective for fentanyl users in the ED
A new study provides additional information about emergency department buprenorphine as fentanyl becomes increasingly prevalent.
Feature
Telehealth doctor indicted on health care fraud, opioid distribution charges
According to court documents, Dr. Sangita Patel was responsible for submitting Medicare claims for improper telehealth visits she didn’t conduct...
From the Journals
Migraine after concussion linked to worse outcomes
Although most children recover quickly from a concussion, approximately one-third continue to report symptoms a month after the event.