August 20, 2020

After NFL Career Ends, Black Players Suffer More Health Woes Than Whites

FRIDAY, Aug. 14, 2020 -- Despite the fame and fortune that comes with being an elite athlete, new research finds that Black NFL players are much more likely than their white peers to be in poor health once they retire.

After surveying nearly 3,800 former pro football players, investigators found that Black players say they are 50% more likely to struggle with chronic disabling pain than white players, and 36% more likely to have serious memory and attention problems. They also reported a 90% greater propensity towards suffering some sort of physical disability.

August 18, 2020

Sprains, Strains? New Guidelines Urge OTC Painkillers, Not Opioids

MONDAY, Aug. 17, 2020 -- People with common muscle and joint injuries should skip opioids and instead reach for over-the-counter pain relievers, new treatment guidelines suggest.

The recommendations, from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Medicine (AAFP), cover acute musculoskeletal injuries -- woes ranging from sprained joints and strained muscles, to inflamed tendons and whiplash.

July 14, 2020

Drug Might Relieve Low Back Pain in Whole New Way

MONDAY, June 22, 2020 -- A new nonopioid pain reliever could be welcome news for people who have difficult-to-treat back pain.

Tanezumab is what's called a monoclonal antibody. And it might offer extended relief from chronic lower back pain, a large, new study finds. However, a serious side effect remains a concern.

June 29, 2020

1 in 10 Americans Uses a Prescription Painkiller: CDC

WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2020 -- Americans continue to look to the medicine cabinet for pain relief, with 1 in 10 using some type of prescription painkiller, a new U.S. government report says.

But use of prescription opioid painkillers leveled off from 2015 to 2018, while prescriptions for nonopioid pain meds rose, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

June 29, 2020

Medical Pot May Help Many Battle Insomnia, Pain and Stress: Study

FRIDAY, June 26, 2020 -- More and more U.S. states are allowing marijuana to be taken as medicine, and a new study suggests that users do indeed feel better.

In a survey of nearly 1,300 people with chronic health conditions, researchers found that those using "medicinal cannabis" reported less pain, better sleep and reduced anxiety.