So, what's in the news today?

I was looking around and didn't find too much that sparked an interest in a post. The recall of fentanyl patches is important news, that's true (Chronic pain patches recalled for overdose danger). Fentanyl is a very potent opioid analgesic (pain medication) that can be given through the skin. This method of providing medications allows for a steady, consistent dose of medications instead of the up and downs of taking medications orally or by injection.

Many people who take analgesics wait too long to take them. Instead of taking them every 4 or 6 hours, as prescribed, they wait until the pain kicks in and then is "bad enough" to take their medication. This approach doesn't work to well though, as the body doesn't cope well with the extremes. If you are allowed to take your medication every so many hours and you need it - it's best if you take it. That way, the medication doesn't peak and valley so much, and you don't suffer too much.

Taking pain medication is not a weakness - if you need it then you need it.

News for Today:
Surgery improves quality of life for children with sleep apnea
Aircraft noise raises blood pressure even whilst people are sleeping, says study
Expenditures rising for back and neck problems, but health outcomes do not appear to be improving
HPV-positive head and neck cancer patients fare better than HPV-negative patients
Chronic pain patches recalled for overdose danger