Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Pharmacologic approaches are still "the most widely used therapeutic options to ameliorate persistent pain," according to this overview from UpToDate. But with growing awareness of the potential negative outcomes associated with long-term opioid therapy, a newly discovered approach may be just what the doctor ordered.

The latest cases of Legionnaires' disease, which has appeared in several states, is wreaking havoc back in the place where the outbreak all began: New York City.

Chronic pain affects around 100 million Americans and treatments can range from prescription drugs to genetic engineering. While pain is typically the primary complaint among patients, their quality of life is often times negatively impacted as well. Beyond treating a patient's pain symptoms, is there anything else a physician can do to make a positive impact on a patient's quality of life?

Failing to get a sufficient amount of sleep every night can result in weight gain, depleted mental health, and increased risk of stroke, among other side effects. A new study suggests that another reason to catch enough Z's is to help combat pathogens.

The tools needed to combat future outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases are available, but they need to be brought to the forefront, according to researchers from the University of Edinburgh.

Pain is not fully understood; and while that isn't a revelation, the way that it connects to pain empathy in the brain is noteworthy. Similar brain regions activate during both phenomena, potentially opening the door for researchers to gain that understanding.

Green tea has been linked to what seems like an endless list of health benefits. From weight loss to protection against cardiovascular disease to even treatment for bladder disease, steeping a cup seems like a proactive thing to do. But one 16-year-old girl's green tea consumption landed her in the hospital.

Have you ever wondered what that ringing "in the ears" sensation is all about? Well it appears that the brain region responsible for the phenomenon shares a gateway with chronic pain.

As health officials take control of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has appeared in multiple cities throughout the US, which started in New York City, another potentially deadly bacteria has popped up on the radar.

September is Pain Awareness Month, and what better way to get the inside scoop from physicians and patients than connecting directly via social media?

About 50,000 people become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) every year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest data from the CDC offers valuable insight into current trends in HIV infection.

Negative emotions can affect more than your mental health; a recent report concluded they also make painful conditions even worse.

Devoted soda drinkers began to lose their minds when an infographic outlining the harmful effects a single can of Coca-Cola has on the body in one hour began circulating the Internet. Now a new infographic has revealed what a Big Mac from McDonald's can do to the body in the same amount of time.

Not all flu virus strains are created equal. After all, some are better equipped to transmit from host to host than others and new research has pinpointed an intricate factor that allows the virus to do so through the air.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SBB) can do more than increase belly fat and send your body on a rollercoaster, it can elevate serum urate levels which increases the risk of gout. Researchers from New Zealand recently looked at how body mass index (BMI) plays a role in the SBB and gout relationship.

While any new research on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is welcome, the majority has been focused on men. Researchers have found that the sexes feel pain differently, so the fact that gender-specific studies have been lacking for women only inhibits progress. However, the first trial of its kind used all women to assess the efficacy of an HIV medication.

Pain: a seemingly simple four-letter word, but healthcare providers know that pain is anything but simple. While there has been ample research elucidating the pathways and mechanisms of neuropathic pain, a recent analysis successfully identified a key brain region that plays in a role in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

The link between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risks has been a hot topic of debate, with researchers offering competing evidence and statements supporting or refuting the existence of link between testosterone supplementation and increased cardiovascular risk. Now, physicians from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) have publicly stated their position on the issue.

If you needed another reason to stop smoking, here it is: a study published in Pain Medicine analyzed patients with chronic pain and found that those who also smoke reported more severe pain.

While Lyme disease cases tend to peak during the summer months, the threat is not over once the weather cools down. But as recently discovered, a single test may not be enough for an accurate diagnosis.

Treating neuropathic pain with opioids can be done smarter and without upping the dosage, suggests a report in Pharmacological Reports.

Travelers entering the United States from Liberia will no longer be screened for the Ebola virus starting on Monday, September 21, 2015, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is observed every year on September 18, so in the midst of showing support for patients, a recent study pinpointed a natural defense against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that may be a novel treatment in the future.

The benefits and risks of vaccinations have been in the forefront of the news lately, especially with children going back to school and presidential debates heating up. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continuously advise that all eligible candidates receive a vaccine, some remain skeptical. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) hosted their annual news conference to discuss the 2014-2015 flu vaccine outcomes and what you need to know as we approach the next season.

The most recent Ebola virus outbreak that began in March 2014 caused a significant amount of damage, spurring renewed efforts to develop a vaccine. While an inhalable vaccine recently showed promising results and another potential vaccine showed 100% efficacy, there have been setbacks along the way. New research may be able to explain why some strategies resulted in failures.

Gout has been making quite a stir in news recently. Between a new classification system and a study showing that a common food can cause painful flares, this form of arthritis is getting quite a bit of attention. Now comes word that a drug used to treat gout could also be effective for another damaging condition.

Some of the most popular restaurant chains are under fire for being a part of the antibiotic-resistant superbugs problem. Starbucks devotees, you might want to sit down for this one…

There are many moving parts when it comes to the immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and focusing on the body's natural antibodies may be just what the doctor ordered.

When it comes to lumbar spinal stenosis, the ultimate goal is to provide both pain relief and improved physical function. But a new study found that if patients could only choose one, they would go with pain relief.

A new evidence-based classification system for gout has been shown to outperform the current gold standard, which could lead to an updated protocol.