Hot On the Trail of New Pain Relievers
The surge of opioid addictions and the battle to end it has put researchers hot on the trail of new pain relievers. Although every physician is qualified to prescribe pain relivers, a specialist should treat long term chronic pain. Pain management specialist have various extra degrees and clinical practice skills to deal with long term and severe pain including specialties in anesthesiology.
Pain management specialists through continuing education are aware of the latest methods in the search for new pain relievers and their applications. Today in the age of information, it is not possible for every physician to be aware of every medical breakthrough. Oncologists, cardiologist, orthopedic doctors, and surgeons are deluged with the latest information, and treatment protocols on an almost daily basis.
A New Pain Solution Provided by a Tick?
Research papers are released by scientists, researchers, medical doctors, and unrelated disciplines on new clues to old problems. In recent years cheap, effective opioids were readily prescribed by doctors with the reassurance of the manufacturers as well as guidance from the CDC, NIH, and FDA. The adverse effects of these pain relieving “miracle” pills was soon uncloaked with addictions and overdoses sweeping the world.
Physicians prescribed them under the belief that it was the best way to treat the chronic pain of their patients. When the spotlight began to shine on the adverse effects of these pain solutions, researchers redoubled their efforts to find a better way to treat pain.
On March 08, 2022, a research paper published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in their section, Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery may point to a vital new, natural pain solution courtesy of Nature. The paper with a title of, Votucalis, a Novel Centrally Sparing Histamine-Binding Protein, Attenuates Histaminergic Itch and Neuropathic Pain in Mice outlines a discovery that is complex yet simple with an active ingredient supplied by a human nemesis, the tick.
Professionals across nine pharmaceutical and research specialties collaborated on the paper. The research, experiments and proofs were conducted at multiple Universities including, Newcastle, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Universities, University of Sunderland, and Durham University.
Tick Saliva, Proteins, Histamines, and Pain Relief
The end result of this research project that will lead to the next step of clinical trials is complex. The simple summary is that histamine is a known cause of pain. A protein derived from the saliva of the tick, called Votucalis was able to bind to histamines and stop pain. This simple solution is the result of complex investigation by resolute researchers who are hot on the trail of new pain relievers.
In a layman’s summary of the research published by Durham University, it notes, “It’s a biologic drug that works by binding histamine in the human body, stopping the histamine from activating its four cell receptors. This leads to reduced itching and pain.
Conditions that cause chronic pain or itching include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, arthritis, diabetes, sciatica, back injuries.”
Pioneering Pain Relief
Dr. Achampong and the professionals at Maryland Pain and Wellness Center in Delmar, Crisfield, Princess Ann, Pocomoke, Berlin, Ocean City, Cambridge, Easton Crofton, Prince Frederick, and Salisbury, Maryland, look to this type of research to further enhance their ability to provide pain relief to people and restore hope. It may be a small step on the trail of new pain relievers, but every step is one closer to the destination, a pain free life.
