Pain Management - A Quick Read

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Have an uncomfortable sensation that something does not seem right?

Is it affecting in parts of the body where it never did?

What is pain?

Pain is the uncomfortable stabbing, aching or pinching that indicates that something may not be right.

Signs and Symptoms:

• can present as just a dull throb to debilitating ache

• depending on severity can also cause nausea, dizziness and or weakness

• can also affect psychologically causing emotional distress and mood swings

• can be acute or short-lived

• can also be chronic or long-term

Types and Causes:

• Nociceptive pain:

  • Acute pain results mostly from recent injuries and is short lived. 

  • Radicular pain - pain that radiates down arms or legs for eg.

  • Somatic pain - localised pain to a particular part eg back pain

  • will require attention from your healthcare provider from onset.

• Neuropathic pain:

  • Chronic pain results from underlying diseases and can be mild to severe in intensity, present for longer periods of time.

  • will require attention from your healthcare provider from onset.

Factors that determine pain management:

• intensity

• duration

• factors making it worse or better

• structures associated with the pain

Lifestyle alterations:

• depending on the body part affected, supports can assist in mobility to ease load on the affected joints/limbs.

• using special bandages like knee supports etc can also assist in management.

• using balms and rubs to help alleviate the pain

• attending physiotherapy sessions if required  

• avoiding activity that worsens the symptoms eg weight bearing activities can worsen pain from sprained wrist

Treatment options:

• Pain relievers - for oral use

• Pain relievers - creams , ointments and sprays

• Injections 

• heat therapy

• as provided by your healthcare provider

• All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!