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A retrospective study published in Cureus evaluated greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks in severe medically refractory headaches in those 18 years of age or younger. The blocks consisted of chirocaine and depomedrone in 1, 2, or 3 administrations. Although the test group consisted of only 6...
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Researchers surveyed the use of services—PCP visits, a pharmacist, a school nurse, outpatient appointments for injury—by over 8,000 adolescents (age 11-15) culled from 84 UK schools. Among the findings, adolescents reported
- Pain and suicidality: 9%
- Suicidality alone: 11%
- Pain alone: 13%
- Nei...
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A qualitative study in the Headache journal asked children and their caregivers about treatment preferences regarding migraine. Although soliciting opinions from those involved in treatments is valuable, too little research has been done to find out what matters most. Via stratified purposive...
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The journal of Children reports on new guidelines for a pervasive health concern. With a monthly prevalence of 20% in young kids, potentially leading to a lifetime prevalence of 40%, back pain is serious. The guideline, developed by 14 professional societies in Germany, is based on a literature...
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Unsedated procedures involving patients who have acute or chronic illness can be painful and cause nervousness, anxiety, distress, and catastrophizing. Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to positively distract, and therefore lessen the stress involved. The Journal of Medical Internet Research repor...
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Pediatric pain assessment and management are frequently underestimated and undertreated. Therefore, those practitioners working in the emergency sector should be ready with strategies. An article in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open provides suggestions for pain and...
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Even though it seems counterintuitive, placebos work even when people know they’re placebos. That is, they work in adults. But what about the pediatric population? JAMA Pediatrics reports a small study of 30 children, 8 to 18 years old, with irritable bowel syndrome or functional abdominal pain...
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Kids need shots and shots can hurt. What can practitioners do to help their littlest patients? Specialists from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offer tips for both practitioners and parents of kids who will be facing needles. While being candid is key, there is no reason to instill fear...
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The Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research reports the potential benefits of combination therapy after posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. While it is known that pain scores, postop opioid usage, and needed physical therapy are reduced through the use of gabapentin...
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A rose is a rose is a rose. And an emoji of a rose is even easier to “get.” There are over 3500 Unicode Standard emoji, including medical-specific ones such as a pill or a syringe. Newer added emoji include a stethoscope, microbe, and drop of blood. Authors of a JAMA commentary suggest even more...