Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Mar 2024
ReviewTelehealth and Virtual Reality Technologies in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review.
This review provides medical practitioners with an overview of the present and emergent roles of telehealth and associated virtual reality (VR) applications in chronic pain (CP) management, particularly in the post-COVID-19 healthcare landscape. ⋯ Accumulated evidence points to the efficacy of now well-established telehealth modalities, such as videoconferencing, short messaging service (SMS), and mobile health (mHealth) applications in complementing remote CP care. More recently, and although still in early phases of clinical implementation, a wide range of VR-based interventions have demonstrated potential for improving the asynchronous remote management of CP. Additionally, VR-associated technologies at the leading edge of science and engineering, such as VR-assisted biofeedback, haptic technology, high-definition three-dimensional (HD3D) conferencing, VR-enabled interactions in a Metaverse, and the use of wearable monitoring devices, herald a new era for remote, synchronous patient-physician interactions. These advancements hold the potential to facilitate remote physical examinations, personalized remote care, and innovative interventions such as ultra-realistic biofeedback. Despite the promise of VR-associated technologies, several limitations remain, including the paucity of robust long-term effectiveness data, heterogeneity of reported pain-related outcomes, challenges with scalability and insurance coverage, and demographic-specific barriers to patient acceptability. Future research efforts should be directed toward mitigating these limitations to facilitate the integration of telehealth-associated VR into the conventional management of CP. Despite ongoing barriers to widespread adoption, recent evidence suggests that VR-based interventions hold an increasing potential to complement and enhance the remote delivery of CP care.
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While primary headaches like migraines or cluster headaches are prevalent and often debilitating, it's the secondary headaches-those resulting from underlying pathologies-that can be particularly ominous. This article delves into the sinister causes of headaches, underscoring the importance of a meticulous clinical approach, especially when presented with red flags. ⋯ Headaches, one of the most common complaints in clinical practice, span a spectrum from benign tension-type episodes to harbingers of life-threatening conditions. For the seasoned physician, differentiating between these extremes is paramount. Headache etiologies covered in this article will include subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), cervical artery dissection, cerebral venous thrombosis, meningitis, obstructive hydrocephalus, and brain tumor.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Mar 2024
ReviewA Guide for Physicians Serving as an Expert Witness for Personal Injury Cases and Other Litigations.
To provide a guide for physicians serving as an expert witness in all kinds of cases. ⋯ Different societies proposed different guidelines for physicians serving as an expert witness. We wanted to summarize all recommendations in our article to provide a comprehensive guide to all physicians from different specialties. There is some overlap in recommendations, and it is important for physicians from different specialties to be aware of all recommendations proposed. It is very important for any health care provider who serves as an expert witness for personal injury or other cases to understand the guidelines around this process and best practices.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Mar 2024
ReviewUnraveling the MSG-Headache Controversy: an Updated Literature Review.
To review the evidence and role of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a headache and migraine trigger. ⋯ MSG is a common food additive, has widely been linked as a trigger of headache, as well as other symptoms. However, the evidence for MSG as a causative agent for headache is debated. Various clinical trials over the past several decades have reported conflicting results, with studies suggesting that MSG does and does not increase the incidence of headache. However, the dosages of MSG exposure are often inconsistent across studies, with many studies administering a dose significantly higher than the average consumption.. Additionally, there are misconceptions about which foods and cuisines have MSG in them. MSG could be a potential trigger for migraine and headaches. It is unclear exactly how MSG plays into the migraine pathophysiology. It's crucial to accurately determine if MSG is present in one's diet to evaluate its potential impact on headaches.