Military burn pits, used for waste disposal in combat zones, involve the open-air burning of waste materials, including plastics, metals, chemicals, and medical waste. The pits release a complex mixture of occupational toxic substances, including particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Air pollution significantly impacts brain health through mechanisms involving neuroinflammation. Pollutants penetrate the respiratory system, enter the bloodstream, and cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), triggering inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic environmental exposures result in sustained inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment. Veterans exposed to burn pit toxins are particularly at risk, reporting higher rates of respiratory issues, neurological conditions, cognitive impairments, and mental health disorders. Studies demonstrate that Veterans exposed to these toxins have higher rates of neuroinflammatory markers, accelerated cognitive decline, and increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases. This narrative review synthesizes the research linking airborne pollutants such as PM, VOCs, and heavy metals to neuroinflammatory processes and cognitive effects. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate the harmful and escalating effects of environmental air pollution exposures on the CNS, improving public health outcomes for vulnerable populations, especially for Veterans exposed to military burn pit toxins.

Postoperative pain is a prevalent problem, often lasting from days to years. To minimize opioid use and associated risks of dependency, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols increasingly incorporate multimodal analgesics. Sodium channel-selective blockers are a promising non-opioid alternative, yet their application in postoperative pain remains underexplored. This systematic review evaluates their efficacy in managing postoperative, neuropathic, and neuralgia-related pain. A systematic review was conducted using controlled keywords across multiple databases to identify studies on sodium channel-selective blockers published up to 2024. Eligible studies included clinical trials, observational studies, case series, and reports involving patients aged 18 or older. Data were extracted on therapeutic outcomes, dosages, complications, and comparisons with other analgesics. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 804 patients, 81.58% of whom were women. One study addressed postoperative pain, while the remaining five focused on neuropathy- and neuralgia-related pain. All studies reported significant pain reduction in at least one treatment group compared with placebo. In the study on postoperative pain, the sodium channel-selective blocker significantly reduced pain scores without requiring opioid analgesia. Across all studies, only two patients needed concomitant opioid therapy, and one discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. Dosages varied, with no reports of severe complications. Comparative analyses showed that sodium channel-selective blockers were as effective, if not superior, to traditional pain medications in reducing pain intensity. Sodium channel-selective blockers demonstrate significant potential in pain management with minimal opioid reliance. While effective for neuropathic pain, further studies are essential to validate their role in acute postoperative settings and refine their use in multimodal analgesia regimens.

Background and Aims: Wound care is a critical component of postoperative and chronic disease management, yet rising supply costs, inconsistent insurance coverage, and patient‐level barriers can complicate care in outpatient and home settings. This narrative review summarizes wound‐management principles and evaluates lower‐cost alternatives, emphasizing differences in evidence strength, appropriate wound contact, contraindications, and required clinical oversight. Methods: A narrative review of English‐language literature available through July 2026 was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and reference‐list review. Evidence from guidelines, systematic reviews, meta‐analyses, randomized trials, and clinical studies was prioritized. Evidence supporting each lower‐cost strategy was categorized qualitatively by study design and directness. Results: Evidence was strongest for potable tap‐water cleansing in selected wounds, plain petrolatum for selected clean postprocedural wounds, and paper tape for selected closed incisions. Nonmedical absorbent products have a limited role as external secondary protection and should not contact open wound beds. Clinician‐assembled negative‐pressure wound therapy and nonmedical compression require trained selection and monitoring. Raw honey, direct application of essential oils, and unsupervised homemade wound solutions are not recommended. Conclusion: Certain lower‐cost wound care products may expand access to care for patients facing financial or logistical barriers. However, these alternative products should preserve the same safety threshold as conventional care and should be selected according to wound type, depth, exudate, perfusion, infection status, and treatment goal. Further comparative research is needed to establish the effectiveness, safety, and cost savings of alternative wound care strategies.