Whether you have cancer or know someone with cancer, it is a good idea to continuously have the most current information in every part of treatment. You may be in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices, and the information you receive can get mixed up with everything else you’re trying to understand.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we want to communicate the best information in the easiest way possible. Medical terms may not transmit well with every patient, so we take the time do get to know each and every single person that walks into our office. One way to learn about your cancer, is to know the types of pain cancer can create, what medicines are available to manage pain, and ways to best control your pain.
Being diagnosed with cancer doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to have pain. For those who do suffer from this symptom, however, should be aware of the different medicines available, ways to take these medicines, and conservative methods (non-drug) methods to relieve pain.
Pain is not only a symptom of the cancer itself, but may arise from treatments or tests done to diagnose or treat the cancer. The amount of pain you experience greatly depends on the stage of your cancer and your tolerance for pain (pain threshold). Most pain develops because a tumor is transmitting pressure on the bones, nerves, or organs. People who have not received treatment and/or have an advanced stage of cancer are at a higher risk of having pain.
Based on evaluations and tests ran by your doctor, a treatment plan will be designed that best relieves your pain with as few side effects as possible. People who suffer with cancer pain can are usually put of medicine called analgesics. Patients can also buy effective pain relievers including aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen from their local pharmacy. These over-the-counter pain medications can be purchased with a prescription from your doctor and may help relieve mild-severe pain. Talk to your doctor before purchasing any medicine to ensure safe interactions with any other cancer drugs you may be taking.
Not all treatment involves medications. Your doctor may recommend treatments such as:
- Radiation
- Surgery
- Nerve blocks
- Neurosurgery
- Relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
- Hot/cold packs
- spinal analgesia
Cancer treatment relies largely on the comfort of the patient. If you or someone you love suffers with cancer pain, have a conversation with a Southwest Spine and Pain Center specialist, today. We are the premier pain care specialist in Utah and ensure patients are safe and comfortable through every step of their treatment. For more information on cancer pain control, visit: http://www.cancer.org/index and contact Southwest Spine and Pain Center.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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