Management of Acute and Chronic Pain
Got pain? Where is it and how often is the pain? How can I explain my pain to others?
According to the National Institute on Aging, there are two kinds of pain. Acute pain begins suddenly, lasts for a short time, and goes away as the body heals. Examples include pain after surgery, after a broken bone, an infected tooth, or a kidney stone. Pain that lasts for 3 months or longer is called chronic pain. This often affects older people. For some, chronic pain is caused by a health condition such as arthritis. Chronic pain may follow acute pain after an injury, surgery, or other health issue that has been treated such as post-herpetic neuralgia after shingles.
Living with any type of pain may cause one to stop engaging in daily activities. Pain can disturb sleep and eating habits, get in the way of daily activities, make it difficult to continue working or volunteering, may be related to depression or anxiety, and keep one from spending time with friends and family and attending social events.
Explaining pain is often difficult
Consider these questions when explaining your pain to family members, friends, and health care providers:
- Where does it hurt?
- When did the pain start?
- Does the pain come and go?
- What does it feel like?
- Is the pain dull, sharp, or burning?
- Would you use another word to describe it?
- Do you have other symptoms?
- When do you feel the pain? In the morning? In the afternoon? In the evening? After eating?
- Is there anything you do that makes the pain feel better or worse? (e.g., ice pack, heating pad, massage, changing positions).
- What medications, both OTC and prescriptions, or non-medical alternative therapies have you tried?
Attitudes about pain
We all react differently to pain. Some people feel they should be brave and not complain when they hurt. Other people are quick to report pain and ask for help. Worrying about pain is common. It can make one afraid to be active. Make one decide to forego family and social events. Some people put off going to the doctor because they think pain is part of aging and nothing can help. Or, they go to the doctor but get no help! It is important to keep searching for help.
Treating Pain
Treating, or managing, chronic pain is at times “hit or miss” with some treatments involving medications and some not. Most treatment plans focus on both reducing pain and increasing ways to support daily function while living with pain. It may take time before a person feels better. Frustration may occur when “nothing” seems to work. Some newer programs include “medical exercise.”
Sources
AgePage: Pain: You Can Get Help (nih.gov) Check the American Academy of Pain Medicine (Home - AAPM (painmed.org)