Pain is a frequently encountered symptom among persons affected by various diseases and medical conditions. It results in lots of discomfort and there is need to relieve it so as to improve the quality of life of the person affected. There are many methods that may be used to achieve this. The main determinant of what to use is the severity. Another important consideration is the difference in response to pain displayed by different individuals. Different people will report different degrees of discomfort even when subjected to the same stimulus. There are a number of options for pain management Clarksville tn patients can use.
There are two types of pain defined medically; acute and chronic. The former is of a sudden onset and lasts for a short period of time, usually less than two weeks. The latter, on the other hand, often starts insidiously and lasts for more than two weeks and could drag for months and even years. There is often an underlying condition in both of cases. The symptoms abate when this condition is treated.
The use of pharmacotherapy agents remains one of the most commonly explored solutions. The drugs are used in both acute and chronic cases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs) are available both as over-the-counter medication and in form of prescriptions. The commonly used ones include aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen and acetaminophen. For severe cases, narcotic analgesics (opioids) such as morphine and meperidine are indicated. Their major disadvantage is that they often cause dependence and tolerance.
Tramadol hydrochloride, a centrally acting analgesic works by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. It works by activating inhibitory pathways that originate from the higher CNS centres. Apart from managing neurogenic pain, tramadol hydrochloride has been used as treatment for post-operative, obstetric and cancer pain. It is preferred over other drugs since it has minimal side effects which can easily be managed by starting with a low dose then tapering the dose gradually.
Anticonvulsants have been found to have some analgesic effects in addition to their anti-epileptic activities. The commonly used ones include lamotrigine, gabapentin, carbamazepine and sodium valproate. Carbamazepine is highly preferred in spite of the unpleasant side effects associated with it. Anticonvulsants are indicated in case of severe conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline are also beneficial in this area.
Physiotherapy matters a great deal in alleviating pain. Not only does exercise improve muscle function, it also restores the suppleness of muscle. In as much as it may be have short term benefits in managing chronic pain physiotherapy does have long term benefits.
Another treatment that is reported to have some effect is acupuncture. This is a form of alternative medicine in which the practitioner uses sharp long needles to create some form of energy that eventually alleviates pain. It is said to be effective for both acute and chronic cases.
Psychological treatments are another commonly overlooked form of pain management Clarksville tn patients may explore. In this type, the affected individual needs to consult with a psychotherapist. The treatments are recommended for individuals complaining of symptoms that are not associated with any somatic disorder. One of the commonly used psychological treatments is referred to as relaxation hypnosis. It has been reported to be effective in some cases.
There are two types of pain defined medically; acute and chronic. The former is of a sudden onset and lasts for a short period of time, usually less than two weeks. The latter, on the other hand, often starts insidiously and lasts for more than two weeks and could drag for months and even years. There is often an underlying condition in both of cases. The symptoms abate when this condition is treated.
The use of pharmacotherapy agents remains one of the most commonly explored solutions. The drugs are used in both acute and chronic cases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs) are available both as over-the-counter medication and in form of prescriptions. The commonly used ones include aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen and acetaminophen. For severe cases, narcotic analgesics (opioids) such as morphine and meperidine are indicated. Their major disadvantage is that they often cause dependence and tolerance.
Tramadol hydrochloride, a centrally acting analgesic works by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. It works by activating inhibitory pathways that originate from the higher CNS centres. Apart from managing neurogenic pain, tramadol hydrochloride has been used as treatment for post-operative, obstetric and cancer pain. It is preferred over other drugs since it has minimal side effects which can easily be managed by starting with a low dose then tapering the dose gradually.
Anticonvulsants have been found to have some analgesic effects in addition to their anti-epileptic activities. The commonly used ones include lamotrigine, gabapentin, carbamazepine and sodium valproate. Carbamazepine is highly preferred in spite of the unpleasant side effects associated with it. Anticonvulsants are indicated in case of severe conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline are also beneficial in this area.
Physiotherapy matters a great deal in alleviating pain. Not only does exercise improve muscle function, it also restores the suppleness of muscle. In as much as it may be have short term benefits in managing chronic pain physiotherapy does have long term benefits.
Another treatment that is reported to have some effect is acupuncture. This is a form of alternative medicine in which the practitioner uses sharp long needles to create some form of energy that eventually alleviates pain. It is said to be effective for both acute and chronic cases.
Psychological treatments are another commonly overlooked form of pain management Clarksville tn patients may explore. In this type, the affected individual needs to consult with a psychotherapist. The treatments are recommended for individuals complaining of symptoms that are not associated with any somatic disorder. One of the commonly used psychological treatments is referred to as relaxation hypnosis. It has been reported to be effective in some cases.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.clarksvillepaininstitute.com for more helpful information about Options For Pain Management Clarksville Tn Patients Can Use