Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jul 2016
ReviewCurrent Approaches to Neuromodulation in Primary Headaches: Focus on Vagal Nerve and Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation.
Neuromodulation is a promising, novel approach for the treatment of primary headache disorders. Neuromodulation offers a new dimension in the treatment that is both easily reversible and tends to be very well tolerated. ⋯ We will especially focus on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) since they have targeted autonomic pathways that are cranial and can modulate relevant pathophysiological mechanisms. The initial data suggests these approaches will find an important role in headache disorder management going forward.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jun 2016
ReviewDrug Formulation Advances in Extended-Release Medications for Pain Control.
Prescription opioid abusers frequently tamper with opioid tablets in order to either accelerate the delivery of the euphoria-inducing agent or to alter the route of delivery, such that it may be delivered intranasally or intravenously. As one strategy to combat the opioid epidemic in the USA, drug manufacturers have begun to explore formulations which resist such tampering by abusers. ⋯ Recent years have seen the development of numerous extended-release opioid agents, which are described in this review. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the pharmacology, benefits, risks, and processes behind the development of currently available extended-release opioid drugs, as well as a glimpse into promising future formulations.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jun 2016
ReviewConcussion in the Military: an Evidence-Base Review of mTBI in US Military Personnel Focused on Posttraumatic Headache.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as an alteration in brain function caused by an external force. Mild TBI or concussion is now well recognized to be a risk of military service as well as participation in athletic sports such as football. Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is the most common symptom after mTBI in US service members. ⋯ President Obama's Brain Initiative is also providing additional impetus for these efforts. Unfortunately, the understanding of the acute and chronic effects of mTBI on the brain remains limited. Gratefully, there is hope that through innovative research, there will be advances in elucidating the underlying pathophysiology, which will lead to clinical and prognostic indicators, ultimately resulting in new treatment options for this very complicated set of disorders.
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Post-traumatic headache can occur after any traumatic brain injury, regardless of severity. Headache is consistently the most common symptom following concussion and occurs in over 90% of athletes with sports-related concussion. Despite this prevalence, the complaint of headache after a possible concussive injury is often dismissed. ⋯ This complex, and often non-specific, nature of headaches provides a significant challenge in return to play decision-making. Post-traumatic headaches are generally categorized according to primary headache disorders in an attempt to guide treatment; however, there is minimal medical literature on headache management in the concussed athlete. There is clearly a continued need for prospective studies of existing treatments and new approaches.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2016
ReviewNew Chronic Pain Treatments in the Outpatient Setting: Review Article.
Chronic pain is an issue encountered by many health care providers in their routine clinical practice. In addition to generalized patient suffering, this condition has significant clinical, psychological, and socioeconomic impact due to its widespread occurrence. The landscape of chronic pain management has been changing rapidly with an array of treatment innovations, better understanding of established therapies, and care coordination across specialties. In this article, we have reviewed emerging new modalities as well as transformation of established therapies by interventional, pharmacologic, rehabilitative, psychological, complimentary, and interdisciplinary approaches.