What is pain relief?
Pain relief uses medicines and therapies that treat Pain caused by surgery, illness, or injury. Pain can affect your emotional and physical health. For example, it may cause depression or sleep issues. Pain management can help you heal, rest and resume your normal activities. Pain relief can help you sleep, eat, and feel better. It can also improve your mood, relationships, and your mood.
What types of Pain are there?
Acute Pain is a sudden pain that lasts for a short period. The Pain usually subsides as the body heals. However, it can become chronic if not treated.
Chronic Pain is Pain that lasts for a long period or gets worse. Chronic Pain can last for many months or even years. You may still feel Pain after recovering from an illness or injury.
What is the diagnosis of Pain?
Your healthcare provider will examine you to check for any painful areas. Your healthcare provider may press or touch different body parts to ask about Pain. You may be asked to describe the Pain. Your provider may ask you to describe your Pain. Tell your provider whether you experience constant Pain or if the Pain comes and goes. To determine the cause of your Pain or how much you are in Pain, you may need to do any of these things:
A pain journal can help you find the source of your Pain. You can track your pain cycles using the diary. Include the date, duration, and intensity of the Pain. Include anything that caused the Pain to worsen or improve.
Pain scales can help you measure the level of Pain that you experience. The pain scale may be in the form of numbers or faces. Your provider may ask that you rate your Pain from 0-10.
A CT or MRI can be used to determine the source of your Pain. Contrast liquid may be used to improve the clarity of your images. You should tell your healthcare provider if there has ever been an allergic reaction. Enter the MRI with nothing metal. Metal can cause serious injuries. Tell your healthcare provider if any metal is on or in your body.
Stimulation testing can help identify nerves and muscles that are affected by Pain.
What over-the-counter pain medications are available?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, help reduce swelling, Pain, and fever. The medicine can be purchased with or without a prescription. Certain people can experience stomach bleeding or kidney issues when taking NSAIDs. Always ask if NSAIDs will be safe if you are taking blood thinners. Follow the directions on the label of any medicine you take. Do NOT give these medications to children younger than six months old without the direction of a healthcare professional.
Acetaminophen reduces fever and Pain. You can get it without a prescription. You can ask how much and how often you should take the medication. Follow the directions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any other medications you use contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, if taken incorrectly, can cause liver damage.
Apply a pain cream, gel, or patch to the painful area.
What prescription drugs can be used to treat Pain?
- Prescription Pain Medicine, such as opioids or narcotics, is only used to treat short-term Pain (acute). You will be told by your healthcare provider how to take the prescription pain medication safely. You will be informed about the medication's common and serious side effects and what you should do if these occur. Acetaminophen is found in some prescription pain medications. Consult your doctor before taking any other medications that contain acetaminophen. A high dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
- Muscle Relaxers can help reduce pain and muscle spasms.
- Steroids reduce inflammation, which causes Pain.
- Anesthesia Medicines can be injected into or around the nerve to block pain signals.
- Anxiety Medicine reduces anxiety. Anxiety makes it harder to control Pain.
- Antidepressants can be used to reduce or prevent symptoms of depression and anxiety. These drugs are also used for nerve pain.
- Anticonvulsants can be used to control seizures. These drugs can also be used for chronic Pain.
What should I know about the safety of prescription pain medications?
You will receive specific instructions from your healthcare provider based on which medicine you take. The instructions will tell you how to dispose of medicine that you have not used. Here are some general guidelines.
- Follow the directions on your medication. Only take what is prescribed. Remove the old pain patch before applying a new patch if you are using one. You should consult your doctor before stopping the pain medication you have taken for over two weeks. A sudden stop may cause serious health problems.
- Read safety instructions. Certain medicines may cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Do Not Drink Alcohol, Drive, or Operate Heavy Machines While Using Prescription Medicines. Take pain medication 30 minutes before exercise or physical therapy or as directed.
- Manage the side effects. Certain foods, alcohol, and other medications may cause side effects when taken with pain medication. Your provider will tell you what to do in the event of side effects.
Treatment Options
This list includes medications related to this condition or used for its treatment.
- Tylenol
- tramadol
- Dilaudid
- OxyContin
- Percocet
- View more treatment options.
What can I do without medication to manage my Pain?
- Take frequent breaks. A restful sleep is good for your body. Sleep in a comfortable position. Sleeping on your back or side are two examples. Support painful areas with pillows. Inform your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping because of Pain.
- Use ice or heat as directed. Use an electric heating pad on low or a warm washcloth to heat. Heat should be applied for 20-30 minutes every two hours for the specified days. Use an ice pack or place crushed ice into a plastic bag for ice. Before you apply the bag to your skin, cover it with a towel. Apply ice at 15 to 20-minute intervals every hour or as directed.
- Elevate your painful area above your heart level if you can. It will reduce swelling and Pain. Wrap the elastic bandage around your painful area. Do not wrap it tightly. Wrap the bandage loosely. You should be able to put two fingers between the bandage and your skin.
- Discuss your daily activities with your provider. Certain activities can cause or worsen your Pain. You can find ways to Pain relief with the help of your provider. Adjust the time you take pain medication so that it works better during activity.
- Rehabilitation may include physical or occupational therapies. Physical therapists teach you exercises that improve your strength and movement and pain relief. An occupational therapist helps you with daily tasks. Your therapist might recommend assistive devices. A splint or cane can relieve pressure or offer support. You can stand and walk better with orthotics or braces.
- Aromatherapy or meditation can help you relax. Biofeedback helps you lower your heart rate and breathing in Pain. Massage therapy can help loosen tight muscles. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), a safe and mild electrical signal, controls muscle or nerve pain.
- You can also ask about other options to pain relief. Examples are radio waves, ultrasound, laser, and thermal (heat) therapy. Surgery may be necessary when repairing or blocking the nerves that cause your chronic Pain.
- Continue to experience breakthrough pain (Pain that persists between doses of medication).
- You may be confused or sleepier than normal when you take your medicine.
- Even after taking pain medication, you still feel Pain.
- The Pain is different or new.
- Constipation caused by prescription pain medication that does not respond to treatment
- You may have concerns or questions about your health or treatment.
- Care Agreement You are entitled to participate in the planning of your health care. Learn more about your condition and the treatment options available. You can decide on the treatment you want by discussing your options with your healthcare provider. You have the right to refuse any treatment. This information is only intended as a tool for education. This information is not medical advice on specific conditions or treatments. Before beginning any new medical regimen, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to determine if the regimen is right for you. Copyright Merative Information 2023 is intended for the End User only. It may not be redistributed, sold, or used in any other commercial manner.
