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The Science of Connection: How It Helps People in Pain
Connection Can Make People Feel Better Hugs and friendship … the combination of that connection can make people feel better. Science has proven it, and that’s the type of news I want to share. First, a disclaimer. I don’t mean to trivialize pain or turn the discussion into a Shirley Temple film. I have dedicated…
Read MoreCNN Opioid Crisis Town Meeting with Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper
Opioid Crisis Town Hall Meeting On May 12, CNN broadcast a town hall meeting about the American opioid crisis with Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper. The show’s audience included people who had used opioids for pain, and some who had become addicted to opioids. It has caused a considerable stir among people in pain. Much…
Read MoreWhy AMA President Dr. Steven J. Stack Doesn’t Go Far Enough in Plan to End Opioid Crisis
In a recent well-conceived and reasonable Huffington Post blog, Dr. Steven J. Stack presents his seven ways that American physicians can reverse the opioid crisis. However, the blog’s opening line — “The medical profession must play a lead role in reversing the opioid epidemic that, far too often, has started from a prescription pad” — is…
Read MoreOpen Letter to Prince’s Supporters and Devoted Fans
Fans and Supporters Saddened by Loss of Prince When the news broke about the death of Prince, and reporters began to link his death to a possible opioid addiction, I empathized with his fan base and supporters who were deeply saddened by the loss. All the facts weren’t in — they’re still not — but…
Read MoreReasons Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler Misses Point of the Opioid Crisis
Dr. David A. Kessler was interviewed by Jim Axelrod of CBS News about the opioid crisis. Specifically, Axelrod asked Kessler about the increased use of opioids over the past twenty years, and how we might get the opioid epidemic “back in the bottle.” Always controversial, since the days between 1990 and 1997 when he served…
Read MoreMedical Mistakes Happen Because of Poor Communication
Medical Mistakes in Hospitals are Rampant Mistakes in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities are rampant. Medical errors may now be third leading cause of death in United States, according to a Washington Post article. That means about a quarter of a million Americans are dying annually — not from the diseases that are bringing…
Read MoreThis is the Role of Pharmacists in Pain Medicine – an interview with Jeffery Fudin, PharmD
This is the role of pharmacists in pain medicine – an interview with Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD. Dr. Lynn Webster: Hello, this is Dr. Lynn Webster. Thank you for listening to this Pain Topics series of interviews on lynnwebstermd.com. Today, I’m fortunate to have with us Dr. Jeffrey Fudin. Thank you, Jeffrey, for participating,today, in our…
Read MoreThis is the Reason Karl Marx Was Wrong, According to 90% of Americans
Karl Marx called religion the “opium of the people.” He meant that religion creates an illusory happiness that prevents people from seeking real happiness, which he believed would come through communism. Marx underestimated the continuing role that spirituality plays in human well-being. Americans Pray For Healing One CNN report claims that 90% of Americans pray…
Read MoreThis is Why People With Addiction Use Counterfeit Drugs
Prescription medications, by definition, must be prescribed by a doctor. Many people in pain are reporting that doctors are becoming increasingly wary of prescribing opioid medications. This leaves patients in the lurch. People will often do almost anything to obtain medicines for their pain or to feed their addiction, even if it means buying counterfeit…
Read MoreThis Is How Prince’s Death Begins Conversation About Addiction
The Conversation Is About Compassion and Addiction When I published my recent blog, Prince and Why We Need More Compassion About Addiction, I began by saying that we didn’t yet know why Prince died. The facts weren’t in, and I didn’t want to draw conclusions until I had more information. I still don’t have all…
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