Cancer Pain Management
For most patients, it is possible to manage the pain that comes with having cancer and receiving treatment for it. Many patients experience pain and it is a good idea to see your doctor about relieving it if impedes you from living life normally. There is usually some combination of drugs and/or therapy that can relieve pain and there is no reason that anyone should just live with pain.
Cancer pain can be caused by a variety of things. There can be pain from the actual tumor, pain from the cancer treatment, and pain from other sources altogether. There are many different types of pain too. There can be acute pain, which is severe but only lasts a short time, chronic pain, which is a reoccurring problem that persists over a long period of time, and breakthrough pain, which occurs in patients who suffer from chronic pain that is managed by medication and treatment. The pain each person experiences is different and has different causes so it is best for you to visit and discuss things with your doctor if the pain is difficult to manage.
Often medications given to treat cancer can have undesired side effects. The most common side effects from cancer medications are nausea and vomiting, sleepiness and constipation. Severe side effects are rare with medications but they can occur. Contact your doctor immediately if severe side effects surface from any of the prescribed medicines. If any side effect from a medication becomes a concern, it’s smart to talk to your doctor about it. Frequently doctors can switch medications to something else that will hopefully manage your pain without any side effects.
Pain is something that can severely hamper daily living for a cancer patient. It can cause other health problems and impact every aspect of their lives. There is no reason for anyone to be living in pain because of their cancer treatment. There are things doctors can do to help relieve the pain caused by cancer and patients should consult them if they are having any problems with pain.