Pain is a response to protection, which occurs when your peripheral nervous system gives notice to the central nervous system. The response normally occurs after an injury at any point in your body. However, apart from injuries, diseases and infections can also cause pain. Pain management is the procedural way you or your doctor work to reduce or prevent pain from occurring further. Pain management requires an interdisciplinary approach depending on the type of pain you are having. Dr. Tracy Fulton in Alexandria is the best you can consult for pain management procedures. Below are the types of pain that you can develop.
Types of pain that may need management
Pain is a common condition that can affect men, women, and children. However, the type of pain can vary with age and gender. Studies show that older adults are more likely to be affected by pain than young people. On the other hand, women can experience more pain than men. Types of pain include:
- Acute pain. Acute pain is the initial pain you feel after an injury. It can last for several minutes or hours and then vanish forever. Studies show that acute pain can be mild or extreme, depending on the impact of your body on an obstacle.
- Chronic pain. Chronic pain is usually non-healing acute pain. It is caused by diseases or infections. Example of chronic pain includes all joint pain that is not treatable.
Pain can cause a lot of discomforts if not treated or managed. According to research, the best way of managing pain is by understanding its cause and learning the negative impact it can bring to the patient. Below are methods of pain management.
Ways your doctor can manage your pain
There are several ways your pain can be managed. Studies show that non-severe pain can be managed at home through applying ice, massaging, attending physical therapy, and others. However, severe pain needs an advanced pharmacological approach to manage it. These ways include:
- Pain-relieving drugs. Medication is one of the most used ways to manage pain. Types of drugs available over-the-counter include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, antidepressants, narcotics, and many more. They can relieve pain such as toothaches, stretched tissues and muscles, headache, extreme and mild acute pain, and pain after a procedure that requires local anesthesia. Your pharmacologists will advise you on when and how to use them.
- Steroid joint injection. After your body has developed resistance to tablets, the only option that remains is an injection. According to specialists, injections are done for severe chronic pain. Steroid injection is done to manage pain in places such as facet joints, heel joints, knee joints, hip joints, and arm joints. An injection is the most effective method of pain management.
According to specialists, chest pain, stomach pain, and head pain can be life-threatening. Pain in such areas may need immediate attention since it signifies a serious health condition. For pain management, consult the Integrated Neurology Services center because they have the most experienced doctors in the world.
