Review of the Current State of Urine Drug Testing in Chronic Pain: Still Effective as a Clinical Tool and Curbing Abuse, or an Arcane Test?

Regardless of experience or training background, physicians and healthcare providers can much more adequately assess opioid therapy with the aid of Urine Drug Testing, which often requires confirmatory testing by a laboratory for clinical and therapeutic prescribing decisions. It has become a strongly recommended aspect of pain care with controlled substances locally, regionally, and nationally. Incorporating UDT for all patients in whom chronic opioid therapy is undertaken is consistent with Continue Reading→

Expert Perspective: The Opioid Crisis and COVID-19

The ongoing 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted care provision for patients with pain disorders, as well as those with opioid use disorder. As a result, public health experts have voiced concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may worsen the opioid crisis in the United States, and the populations affected most seriously by both crises may overlap significantly.1-3 For patients receiving treatment for addiction, access to support systems, clean needles, methadone provision, Continue Reading→

Kelly Preston died on July 12 following a two-year battle with breast cancer

Kelly Preston Dies of Breast Cancer at 57: 'She Was a Bright, Beautiful and Loving Soul' "On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer," a family representative tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been Continue Reading→

Melissa Etheridge’s son Beckett dead at 21 from opioid addiction, singer says: ‘My heart is broken’

Rock musician Melissa Etheridge's son Beckett has died. He was 21. In an Instagram post, Etheridge confirmed that Beckett died on Wednesday due to his opioid addiction. "Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction," the 58-year-old singer wrote in the Continue Reading→

Opioids May be Appropriate for Chronic Pain

Opioid May be Appropriate for Chronic Pain (Christo - J Law Med Ethics - July 2020) Read the article published by Dr. Christo in the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics in favor of using opioids with chronic pain patients when necessary. Continue Reading→

5 Foods for the Digestive Tract

A healthy digestive tract is good for more reasons than you probably realize. Many people don’t know the true benefit of gut health. We are all familiar with debilitating intestinal discomfort as well as unregulated bowel movements, which are problems that can be avoided with a healthy digestive tract. But on top of that, your gut health can be directly linked to your mental health too. An overgrowth of bad bacteria in your gut can lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria elsewhere. There are Continue Reading→

How to Avoid Back Pain While Sitting at the Office

Our bodies were meant to be in an active state the majority of the time. As humans have evolved, we have found easier ways to complete everyday tasks using technology. Although these advancements have created easier and more efficient ways of doing things, they also encourage us to move around less. With this in mind, it’s important that you are aware of the health risks that inactive lifestyles can cause, your daily activity levels and how you correct them if need be. Active Lifestyle On Continue Reading→

Getting Back on Your Feet: Ways to Treat and Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis literally means a porous bone, so if you develop this condition you have fragile and unhealthy bone. You also may hear experiences of patients (or by you if you have osteoporosis) describe this bone condition as painful with cracking bones. When an individual is dealing with osteoporosis, the bones become porous and fragile, and the risk of an individual’s possibility of getting a fracture is significantly increased. Additionally, this bone condition occurs progressively and Continue Reading→

Cancer, Cannabis, And You

New treatments for pain and nausea are available but come pre-packaged with social stigmas. Cancer and its treatment are often painful, and doctors are always on the lookout for ways to relieve discomfort. This usually means prescribing opioids, which are an effective way to treat pain associated with tumors and chemotherapy. However, these can be dangerous drugs and run the risk of addiction if taken improperly or if given to patients with certain risk factors for abuse. Because of this, many Continue Reading→

7 Ways to Fit Relaxation into a Busy Schedule

Having a busy schedule whether it be work, parenting or a mix can be a stressful and tiring experience. It is important to look after yourself and fit in time to relax from everyday struggles. Whether this is from a long week at work, looking after the kids, or approaching deadlines, it is important to look after your own health, both mentally and physically. Here are 7 ways to fit relaxation into our everyday busy lives: Meditate in the morning Have a good laugh Enjoy some recreation Continue Reading→