Current opinion in supportive and palliative care
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Chronic cough is common and distressing, especially against the background of life-threatening illness. It is a symptom that has received scant attention, often eclipsed by pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting. ⋯ The availability of simple assessment tools places the imperative on clinicians to be more systematic in assessment of cough and its interventions. The mainstay of oral therapy for symptom control remains dextromethorphan, codeine and morphine. The potential for research is huge: from basic scientific understanding to clinical trials of innovative therapies.
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Curr Opin Support Palliat Care · Jun 2008
ReviewFibromyalgia syndrome: a relevant recent construction of an ancient condition?
Fibromyalgia is considered the most common chronic pain syndrome. This syndrome is poorly understood and not widely accepted as a distinct clinical entity but an increasing number of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments are being developed for its management. ⋯ Despite the fact that pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria remain unclear, the level of scientific data collected on this recently described condition should convince clinicians of the existence of this syndrome, allowing improved management of the many patients suffering from chronic pain.