Normally, the first step when seeking to find a solution to chronic pain will be to acknowledge that the problem indeed is there. You will need to consult a physician about the signs of chronic pain. You will also tell them what you are experiencing to try and get to the bottom of what the problem is and after that formulate a plan of treatment. Chronic pain solutions are numerous and different cases are handled differently.
One of the options is to use antidepressants. There are older categories of antidepressants that might be very helpful in control of the pain. Specifically, tricyclic antidepressants will be of a lot of help. The medications have relief qualities and can relieve pain in doses which are lower than doses you would require to treat depression. The medicines should not be taken on an as needed basis but need to be taken daily irrespective of whether there is pain or not.
Physicians will try to lessen the side effects of antidepressants, especially sedation, by having the patient take them only at night. Other side effects include dry mouth which is treated by drinking lots of fluids and water. Not all patients are candidates for antidepressants though. For instance, those with some types of glaucoma should not take them. In addition, they must never be taken in larger doses than was prescribed.
Anticonvulsants are equally useful. They will help in handling nerve pains and should also be take as prescribed and not on an as needed basis. They are known to come with some side effects, notably drowsiness, but this tends to improve over time. In some instances, patients may experience weight gain. Individuals who suffer from glaucoma or weight gain should let the doctor know of the same before they start using these medications. There are newer versions that do not require liver monitoring but which should be used cautiously.
When opioids are used in the right way, they can help with reducing pains. They however are less effective or might require higher doses to minimize nerve aches. For pains that are there throughout the day and night, long acting opioids are used. A major side effect is constipation which should be controlled by drinking a lot of water. It is also possible to experience drowsiness but this reduces as one gets used to the drug.
There are people who will benefit from epidural injections. It is done at the back section of the neck in an attempt to place anti-inflammatory steroids in the body without need to use anesthesia. These injections are done for pains involving the back, hands or legs. At times it is done with x-ray guidance. Some common side effects like skin soreness or numbness are temporary and disappear with time.
There is celiac plexus block that offers pain relief in individuals with pancreatic cancer and is also used for different forms of abdominal pains. It involves placing a needle through the back in order to deposit numbing medication to a group of nerves known as celiac plexus.
The celiac plexus injection is done as diagnosis to check whether more permanent injection can be of help in relieving aches. In case it provides significant relief, the longer lasting option can be used. Treatment of chronic pain is varied depending on individuals and where the pains are experienced.
One of the options is to use antidepressants. There are older categories of antidepressants that might be very helpful in control of the pain. Specifically, tricyclic antidepressants will be of a lot of help. The medications have relief qualities and can relieve pain in doses which are lower than doses you would require to treat depression. The medicines should not be taken on an as needed basis but need to be taken daily irrespective of whether there is pain or not.
Physicians will try to lessen the side effects of antidepressants, especially sedation, by having the patient take them only at night. Other side effects include dry mouth which is treated by drinking lots of fluids and water. Not all patients are candidates for antidepressants though. For instance, those with some types of glaucoma should not take them. In addition, they must never be taken in larger doses than was prescribed.
Anticonvulsants are equally useful. They will help in handling nerve pains and should also be take as prescribed and not on an as needed basis. They are known to come with some side effects, notably drowsiness, but this tends to improve over time. In some instances, patients may experience weight gain. Individuals who suffer from glaucoma or weight gain should let the doctor know of the same before they start using these medications. There are newer versions that do not require liver monitoring but which should be used cautiously.
When opioids are used in the right way, they can help with reducing pains. They however are less effective or might require higher doses to minimize nerve aches. For pains that are there throughout the day and night, long acting opioids are used. A major side effect is constipation which should be controlled by drinking a lot of water. It is also possible to experience drowsiness but this reduces as one gets used to the drug.
There are people who will benefit from epidural injections. It is done at the back section of the neck in an attempt to place anti-inflammatory steroids in the body without need to use anesthesia. These injections are done for pains involving the back, hands or legs. At times it is done with x-ray guidance. Some common side effects like skin soreness or numbness are temporary and disappear with time.
There is celiac plexus block that offers pain relief in individuals with pancreatic cancer and is also used for different forms of abdominal pains. It involves placing a needle through the back in order to deposit numbing medication to a group of nerves known as celiac plexus.
The celiac plexus injection is done as diagnosis to check whether more permanent injection can be of help in relieving aches. In case it provides significant relief, the longer lasting option can be used. Treatment of chronic pain is varied depending on individuals and where the pains are experienced.
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