Experts say AIDS pain 'dramatically undertreated'

Article Abstract:

The International Association for the Study of Pain is working on a booklet for primary care physicians that will help them treat pain in AIDS patients. Pain in HIV-infected and AIDS patients is currently undertreated because managed care dictates that most of these patients be treated by primary care physicians. But most PCPs are not trained in the use of strong analgesics like codeine and morphine. Many studies have shown that many AIDS patients experience significant pain but very few receive adequate pain medication. One problem is that AIDS patients develop peripheral nerve disorders, which produce pain that is hard to treat.

Complications and side effects, AIDS (Disease), Intractable pain

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Experts debate merits of 1-day opiate detoxification under anesthesia

Article Abstract:

The medical community is divided over the value of 1-day opiate detoxification under anesthesia as a way to end an opiate addiction. The process is expensive and not covered by insurance because it is considered experimental so primarily the wealthy and motivated use it. There are no long-term studies and the claims made by the clinics are exaggerated. The clinics call the 1-day treatment painless when actually it only eliminates the craving while the withdrawal symptoms are the same. The treatment involves an opiate antagonist that blocks the opiate receptors so the narcotics cannot attach.

Innovations, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, Drug treatment centers

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A farewell to harms: experts debate global disease eradication efforts

Article Abstract:

Public health experts discussed attempts to eradicate many infectious diseases at a 1998 conference. Smallpox was eliminated in 1977 and efforts are underway to eliminate polio by the year 2005. Programs to eliminate malaria and yellow fever have not been so successful. Programs to eliminate dracunculiasis have reduced the number of cases 97% This disease is caused by a parasitic worm. Measles and hepatitis B may be good candidates for elimination and better control is needed over filariasis and onchocerciasis, which are also parasitic worm infections.

Prevention, Poliomyelitis, Communicable diseases, Dracunculiasis

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