Consumer Reports Investigates What Causes Pain, What Treats It, What Doesn’t—and How to Prevent It

Also, CR looks at the prescription painkiller epidemic, efforts to curb overuse of opioids, and surprising truths about medical marijuana

Yonkers, NY – Persistent and chronic pain can be a frustrating, debilitating and expensive problem. According to the June issue of Consumer Reports, 125 million Americans in pain spend about $300 billion on treatments and care every year. But not all of that care is effective, and some of it may be costly or even dangerous.

To help consumers make better, more informed choices, Consumer Reports took a closer look at the issue of treating pain in a special report on what works and what doesn’t—and developed guidance on how to treat common ailments—including back, neck and joint pain.

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Consumer Reports Warns Against the Risks of Prescription and Over-The-Counter Painkillers

CR urges U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take stronger steps to reduce the dangers of pain-relief medications

Yonkers, NY – Some pain relief medications can be as addictive as heroin and are rife with deadly side effects.

Every day, 46 people in the U.S. die from legal pain pills and for each death, more than 30 people are admitted to an emergency room because of opioid complications. Consumer Reports has taken a close look at the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter painkillers and is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do more to make these drugs safer. [Read more]

American Heart Association reports Gender-specific research improves accuracy of Heart Disease Diagnosis in Women

Dallas, TX – Diagnosing coronary heart disease in women has become more accurate through gender-specific research that clarifies the role of both obstructive and non-obstructive coronary artery disease as contributors to ischemic heart disease in women, according to a new statement published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqS9TRJNR1U[/youtube] [Read more]

Consumer Reports says Unnecessary Medical Care that can be Hazardous to Your Health and Your Wallet

Five Examples Culled From the Choosing Wisely Campaign

Yonkers, NY – When should patients say “Whoa!” to their doctors? Consumer Reports has some answers in a new follow-up report to the Choosing Wisely campaign launched in April by the ABIM Foundation.

The coalition of nine physician groups compiled lists of “Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question” to represent each doctor group. It’s been estimated that up to 30 percent of health care in the U.S. is unnecessary. [Read more]