|
AS THE WEBMASTER, I AM ALWAYS INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS SITE, HOW USEFUL YOU FOUND IT AND WAYS IT CAN BE IMPROVED.
PLEASE EMAIL ME ANYTIME.
When I began having chronic pain there
did not seem to be much known about chronic pain as a whole, and worse yet, ways to treat someone suffering with it. Now,
fortunately, chronic pain has evolved to where there are now physicians trained in an entirely separate medical specialty
known as "PAIN MEDICINE" and a wide array of treatment options are now available. Much is being researched
about the causes of chronic pain, as well as written. More and more physicians, as well as nurses, nurse-practitioners and
others involved in patient care, are being educated and taught new ways to treat this difficult condition. There are many
foundations, associations and other educational bodies available to both patients and the medical community devoted to chronic
pain!
There are different types of medication available to treat chronic pain -- analgesics, antidepressants,
and anticonvulsives are a few. Spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal drug delivery systems -- such as the pain pump, as well
as biofeedback, meditation, and hypnosis are also some ways in which pain is now being treated. YOU should decide
with your physician which ways are appropriate for you. It is important that chronic pain patients find a physician knowledgeable
in the field of chronic pain and someone they trust, someone that will be an advocate for that patient. An article published
in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION recently stated that "studies carried out during the last
25 years have documented the undertreatment of both acute and chronic pain. Unrelieved pain has profound physiological and
psychological consequences that result in significant costs to patients and families, to the health care system, and to society
as a whole.."
In an article I read on the Partners Against Pain website, it was stated
that "a recent survey confirms what health professionals know: lots of Americans are missing work and missing out on life
because of pain. The Michigan Pain Study polled a sample of 1,500 adults in Michigan about the severity of
their pain, its treatment and its impact on their lives. The poll was conducted by the public opinion firm EPIC/MRA and sponsored
by the Pain Education Fund of Chelsea (Michigan) Community Hospital.
By generalizing from the sample, the poll estimated
that 1.2 million residents of Michigan suffer from chronic pain -- about one in five adults.
Of this group, 42% reported that their
pain has affected personal and work relationships. Thirty-five percent missed more than 20 days of work and 21% went to the
emergency room for pain in the past year. A full 70% said they are still experiencing pain despite treatment. These results
show that chronic pain has far-reaching effects on family and economic life. Says EPIC/MCA pollster Ed Sarplous:
"Pain is a major health problem, not only for those who directly suffer from it, but for everyone in Michigan. The costs
to society are real, in the form of lost productivity, repeat hospital visits, and ineffective treatment. In addition, the
situation is denying people and their families basic quality of life."
|
| Finding the proper diagnosis is often work of team of medical professionals. |
There are a number of steps in getting
the pain relief that is right for you. While some therapies may control pain for some people, others may need different
or more powerful therapies to control their pain. The choice of treatment depends on the type of pain, how severe it
is, and how you respond to your pain therapy. The chart above lists therapies your doctors may consider when
treating your chronic pain. (FROM SPINE UNIVERSE.COM)
Pain Management itself is such a world issue now.
The International Association for the Study of Pain has published a list of upcoming meetings about pain and it encompasses
the entire globe. If you want to link on to it you should go to:
LISTED BELOW ARE LINKS TO MANY OF THE FOUNDATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS,
EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS, WEBSITES, SUPPORT GROUPS AND ARTICLES THAT CAN BENEFIT ANYONE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC PAIN,
THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AS WELL AS BOOKS AVAILABLE. I HAVE TRIED TO ORGANIZE THESE LINKS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND
HOPE YOU WILL FIND THEM HELPFUL AND WORTHWHILE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. CHECK BACK OFTEN AS I AM ALWAYS UPDATING!!!!!
APRIL 26, 2004
|
