Upbeat Attitude May Be a Pain Fighter

FRIDAY, Feb. 8, 2019 -- Optimism may be key to coping with chronic pain, claims a new study of soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And you don't need to be a vet to benefit from a positive attitude, the research suggests.

Among nearly 21,000 veterans, those with a positive outlook before they were sent abroad reported fewer bouts with pain after deployment, including new back pain, joint pain and frequent headaches.

Little Evidence Pain Creams Work

TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 2019 -- Despite their wide use, commercial pain creams and gels don't do much for chronic pain, a new report claims.

In fact, the government-funded study, ordered by U.S. Congress, found these creams/gels were no better than placebos, researchers said.

Why Sleepless Nights Can Mean More Painful Days

TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 -- If you were up all night and you ache all over the next morning, your lack of sound slumber might be to blame.

New research found that sleep loss delivered a double whammy to the brain that all but guaranteed greater levels of body pain.

Can Herbal Drug Kratom Kill?

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 -- The herbal drug kratom, which U.S. drug regulators have said is essentially an opioid, has been linked to some narcotic overdose deaths, but whether it's dangerous by itself isn't clear.

In a new study, University of Colorado researchers reviewed 15 kratom-related deaths and found that in all but one, other opioids were present.