Pain Management In The Elderly

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pain is an unpleasant feeling and emotional experience related with injury or damage to the body. This is one of the most common complaints that remains poorly treated in the elderly. An older person may be called an elder. There is no set age for an elder, but it may be defined as when a person retires at the age of 60 or 65 years old. As you become older, you may have more health problems but this does not make pain a normal part of aging. Pain may be a sign that something is wrong with your body. The body contains special cells that receive signals when there is damage or injury to the body. These cells send a message to the brain, which then tells you to feel pain.
  
  
• There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose pain. Caregivers may first check for possible causes of your pain before making a diagnosis. The diagnosis of pain is based on low long and how often you have your symptoms. Treatment for pain includes medicines, surgery, or other procedures, such as ultrasound, radio waves, thermal (heat), or laser treatment. Other treatment options may include alternative and complementary therapies. Your caregiver may suggest acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic therapy, dietary supplements, and mind-body therapies, such as biofeedback, hypnosis, and relaxation. With treatment, your pain may be relieved, and your quality of life improved.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• If you are taking pain medicine as a shot or in an IV, your family should learn how to give it. Ask your caregiver to show you how to do this. Take enough medicine to keep comfortable. Also, do not worry about becoming hooked on these pain medicines.
  
  
• Do NOT take any medicine that has aspirin or ibuprofen-like medicines in it. Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine you buy at the store.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Sports and exercise: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising or returning to sports. Together you can plan an exercise program that best suits you. Sports and exercise increase your strength, improve overall fitness, and help control chronic pain. Do some stretching or warm-up exercises on your back, arm, and leg muscles before exercising. Start with a low-impact sport, such as walking or swimming, and do more as you get stronger.

Keeping a pain diary: It may be easier to answer your caregiver’s questions by making a pain diary or book. A pain diary will help you remember exactly what happened each day because it is all written down. This will help you tell caregivers about your pain and may help them figure out what is causing it. Write down all the words that come to you to describe your pain. A diary also helps track pain cycles. This may make you more aware of when and how the pain may start and end.

Wellness hints:

• Diet and nutrition: Eat a variety of healthy foods every day to help you feel better and have more energy. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, chicken, fish, and beans. Ask your caregiver for more information about the best diet for you.
  
  
• Learn ways to manage stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music may help you cope with stressful events. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.
  
  
• Preventing bed sores: A special mattress called an egg crate or air mattress may be put on your bed. You will need to be turned often if you cannot move by yourself. Turning often will keep you from getting bed sores.
  
  
• Weight: Weighing too much can make your pain worse, your heart work harder, and cause other health problems. You may need to talk to your caregiver about a weight loss plan.

For more information: Having pain when you are an elder may be hard for you and your family. Accepting that you have pain may be hard. You and those around you may feel sad, frightened, and anxious. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregiver, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information about pain:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
  PO Box 274
  Millboro, VA 24460
  Phone: 1-540-862-9437
  Web Address: www.chronicpain.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next appointment.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel more pain even after taking your medicines.
  
  
• You feel so depressed that you cannot cope with your disease.
  
  
• You feel very anxious or irritable after you take your medicines.
  
  
• You have problems sleeping or thinking clearly.
  
  
• You have trouble controlling your bowel or bladder.
  
  
• You have severe chest pain or trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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