Zynex Medical

Veterans Betrayed by the #Opioid Epidemic. This ongoing tragedy isn’t a natural disaster but a man-made one. The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities, leaving families and veterans in unimaginable pain. This man-made tragedy, fueled by corporate greed, highlights the need for accountability from pharmaceutical companies and consulting firms like McKinsey, which prioritized profit over lives. Veterans, who served our nation with honor, were victimized by aggressive opioid marketing and overprescription strategies. We must demand justice and transparency to prevent future public health disasters. The Alternatives to PAIN Act offers hope, promoting safer, non-opioid pain management for veterans. Let’s honor those affected by pushing for change and ensuring this never happens again. #OpioidCrisis #Accountability #VeteransDeserveBetter #HarmReduction #Recovery #EndOverdose #EndStigma #SaveLives Read the entire article here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gpwjRtSS

🧠🔄 Opioid use disorder might lead to ‘sticky’ brains. Yale University researchers found that individuals with opioid use disorder were less able to flexibly engage different patterns of brain activity. New research finds that individuals with opioid use disorder struggle to switch between brain states—especially after seeing opioid-related images. 🏥🩺 This brain "stickiness" may explain difficulties in cognitive control and resisting cravings. Future treatments, like non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS), could help improve brain flexibility. 💡 Understanding the brain’s response to opioids is key to better treatments and recovery! Click the following link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQn2gQtE #OpioidCrisis #AddictionScience #Neuroscience

📉 Drug Deaths Decline, But Challenges Remain 💔💊 Overdose deaths are down in Hamilton County & much of the U.S., offering hope in the opioid crisis. 🚑 Increased access to Narcan, treatment programs & community outreach are saving lives. Sarah Coyne, an outreach worker, has revived users & helped families navigate addiction. But experts warn: the drop in deaths isn’t all success—many users have built tolerance, and fewer people are left to succumb. Hope is rising, but the fight isn’t over. #OpioidCrisis #HarmReduction #RecoveryMatters Read the entire article here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTb7gRxV

Medscape: "TENS Matches Opioids for Pain Relief After Surgery" TOPLINE: Pain relief with high-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is comparable with intravenous opioids in managing postsurgical pain in patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder removal. IN PRACTICE: "High-frequency, high-intensity TENS may be considered an opioid-sparing option for postoperative pain relief and could be envisioned as a first line of treatment for patients reporting postoperative pain intensity at arrival in the PACU rated as NRS ≤ 5, and for patient populations that are vulnerable to the adverse effects of opioids," the authors wrote. METHODOLOGY: Researchers assessed 163 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at two Swedish centers between 2019 and 2023. Patients who experienced postoperative pain with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score ≥ 3 in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were randomly assigned to receive either TENS or an intravenous opioid. The primary outcome was the duration of stay in the PACU. TAKEAWAY: The researchers found no difference in the length of stay in the PACU between electric analgesia and opioid (mean, 138 vs 142 minutes; P = .74). Both groups reported similar pain intensity (P = .58), nausea (P = .34), and sedation (P = 1.00) at discharge from the PACU. Patients in both groups reported high satisfaction with pain treatment and overall care, with no differences in the mean hospital stay (587 vs 697 minutes; P = .67). The overall consumption of opioids was lower in the TENS group (4.53 vs 11.10 morphine equivalents; P < .001); however, 46% of patients in this group needed additional opioid treatment. SOURCE: The study was led by Cecilia Ögren, of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care/Pain Centre at Region Västra Götaland at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, and published online on June 29 in the European Journal of Pain. BENEFITS of TENS  Can be used as an alternative to opioids Can help patients feel more in control of their pain Can help patients move around more and recover faster Can reduce the need for pain medication DISCLOSURES: The study was supported by Swedish Government, the County Councils, and The Healthcare Board, Region Västra Götaland. The authors did not declare any conflicts of interest. Click here to read more from Medscape: https://lnkd.in/g6T28uwJ