Cancer Related Pain Treatments

Cancer pain may result from cancer itself or by some forms of treatments like surgery. It is important to learn about cancer-related pain treatments: how pain can be managed and treated. A good pain management clinic should be able to appropriately manage and treat pain related to cancer.

It is imperative to begin cancer pain treatment as early as you can to get the most from medication. Most people suffering from cancer experience a lot of pain at some point during their sickness and treatment. The pain can be caused from medications or the cancer itself. People who have been successfully treated may continue experiencing pain.

Pain related to cancer, or the discomfort that comes from cancer, as well as its intervention can be managed most of the time. Cancer pain can be treated or managed using a variety of medication. A cancer patient needs to inform his or her doctor immediately when pain starts. Treatment of pain related to cancer can be more effective if it is started early enough.

Causes of Cancer Pain

There are numerous causes of pain related to cancer. Oftentimes, cancer pain results from a tumor pressing on body organs or nerves; or when cancer cells overrun body organs or bones. Cancer treatments like radiation, surgery or chemotherapy can also be painful and/or lead to pain.

Cancer Pain Symptoms

Cancer pain symptoms differ from individual to individual. The intensity of pain is dependent on the tolerance for pain (pain threshold) of the individual, the extent or stage of the disease and the type of cancer. Pain may vary from severe to mild and from constant to occasional.

Medications Used In the Treatment of Cancer Pain

• Soft to Moderate Pain

Pain relievers like Acetaminophen and a collection of other pain relievers known as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin may be used to treat mild to moderate pain. Most of these are non-prescription drugs. However, some of them do require a prescription.

Patients need to consult their physicians before using the medication. A pain management clinic should be able to offer advice on the usage of these drugs.

• Moderate to Severe Pain

In this category, drugs called narcotic pain relievers are used. These include morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl and oxycodone. These pain relievers need a prescription. They can be used together with mild pain relievers.

• Burning and Tingling Pain

In this case, Antidepressants are used. These relieve pain for patients who do not necessarily suffer from depression. They include nortriptyline and amitriptyline.

The other drugs used are anticonvulsants. These drugs include carbamazepine and gabapentin. They are used to treat seizures and control tingling and burning pain. They effectively deal with painful nerve damage symptoms.

Other drugs include Corticosteroids which are used to reduce swelling, which oftentimes leads to pain.

In conclusion, it is important to consult a doctor from a pain management clinic to offer advice on the most appropriate medication for your cancer pains. Medication, surgery and other approaches are used to effectively manage cancer related pain.

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