Managing Pain in Cancer Patients
by Andrea Kenningsworth
http://www.lucancer.com
The diagnosis of cancer brings with it an array of emotions
and problems that are quite complex. Of the many fears
and concerns that are intrinsic to such a diagnosis there's
the worry of pain and how it can be managed, if at all.
There are, in fact, many different approaches to pain
management, and the medical team that's assigned to you
will help you to determine which ones are effective.
Having to deal with the pain that's brought on by cancer is
not an absolute. In almost every case, this is one facet
of the disease that can be controlled fairly easily.
It is now considered a misconception that having cancer
automatically means a great deal of pain in the treatment.
With today's pain management techniques, this has become a
complete fallacy. Before, people frequently felt they just
had to learn to deal with the pain, now no one needs to
adjust to pain any longer. Once a patient is open and
communicative about his pain, the team can find relief for
the patient. The patient needs to let the experts decide
which steps to take to alleviate the pain.
Your doctor will normally be very sensitive to your pain
and discomfort. However, if you or your loved one lets him
know about the need for pain control and your doctor does
not seem to have a solution, it is important to meet with
someone who specializes in the area of pain management.
Many times, an oncologist , a cancer treatment specialist
is also a member of a pain management team. Other medical
specialists that work in this area are anesthesiologists
and neurologists. An anesthesiologist has the expertise to
deal with pain management during surgery, and a neurologist
deals with the entire nervous system, the area of the body
that signals pain.
It's important to recognize that pain management is part of
the overall process for treating cancer patients. This
isn't a luxury, or something that's introduced only when
the pain becomes completely intolerable. A good doctor
will want to be informed about any pain or discomfort, from
the moment that it's experienced. As time goes on,
medications and/or other pain management approaches may
need to be changed, so it's critical that you keep the
lines of communication open in order to receive the relief
that you need.
Once medication is prescribed that will address the pain,
don't feel as though you should have to be 'brave' and hold
off as long as possible between doses. Your doctor has
prescribed what he or she believes will be the appropriate
source of relief, and postponing your doses can cause the
pain to become more intense or, in some cases, encourage
you to increase the dosage in order to compensate for the
greater level of discomfort. The members of your medical
team will discuss the importance of taking the medication
when you're supposed to, and what the dosage should be.
Controlling the pain is easier when it begins than it is
after it intensifies.
Many patients are concerned that they will become addicted
or immune to the medication, so they resist the idea of
pain medication. Another reason is that they fear side
effects. You should consult your doctor if these concern
you. As long as you follow the program and are monitored,
he will assure you that there should be no concerns.
The American Cancer Society or the National Cancer
Institute have the best information about pain management.
They have a team on hand of medical professionals who will
be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns
about Cancer Care.
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