Cancer-related pain is a common problem that many cancer patients need to deal with. Mostly, it happens due to cancer treatment side effects, but cancer itself also causes pain. Luckily, there are treatment options that provide relief from this type of pain. Learn the best medical approaches to manage cancer pain in this article. Visit the best Pain Management Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org. to schedule an appointment with us.
Cancer Pain Management Approaches
Medications
When it comes to cancer pain management approaches, medications are usually the first option to be prescribed. Different types of medications are used to treat cancer pain, including:
- Opioids:
These types of medications are used to treat moderate to severe pain. They are also called narcotics and are a type of strong analgesic (painkilling) medicine. Opioids work on the brain and other parts of the body by attaching to pain receptors to block the pain signals. It helps treat cancer-related pain at any stage. However, it also causes some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and constipation. These are not addictive if you use them for pain relief purposes. The most common opioids used to treat cancer pain are:
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Tramadol
- Methadone
- Non-opioids:
These types of medications are used to manage mild to moderate pain. These medicines have less risk of side effects compared to opioids and can be bought over as over the counter or by prescription. The most common non-opioids used to treat cancer-related pain are:
- Acetaminophen: This medicine is commonly known as Tylenol, which helps to relieve mild to moderate pain. People rarely have side effects with the regular dose of acetaminophen. However, if you take too much medicine every day, or for a long time, or drink alcohol, then it can damage your liver or kidneys.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications are used to treat pain and inflammation, either alone or along with other medicines. However, before taking NSAIDs or other non-opioids, make sure you consult with your doctor to ensure their safety. If you drink alcohol, be careful when taking NSAIDs because they can upset your stomach and raise the risk of having acid reflux or bleeding in the stomach.
- Other medications:
These are some other medications that are used to treat cancer-related pain, including:
- Anticonvulsants: Medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin are used to ease nerve damage pain.
- Corticosteroids: These medications may lower inflammation and bone pain. The most common ones are dexamethasone and prednisone.
- Depression medications: These medications are used to treat depression and anxiety but are also effective in lowering pain. The most common are duloxetine and venlafaxine.
- Stimulants and amphetamines: These medicines are used to increase the pain-relieving action of opioids and reduce the drowsiness they cause.
Medical procedures
Several other medical procedures are used to block cancer pain, including:
- Nerve block: In this therapy, medicines are injected close to the affected nerve or group of nerves to block the pain signals. This is mostly useful in treating pain in your back, legs, arms, butt, neck, and face.
- Pain pumps (intrathecal catheters): These are special pumps that attach to the body to deliver pain medication to the spinal fluid inserted through a surgical procedure.
- Peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS): These stimulators can block the pain from the peripheral nerve caused by cancer surgery. A stimulator has a small electrode that attaches to the body to pass an electrical current around the nerve or spinal cord.
- Radiofrequency ablation: This procedure involves using radio waves to heat a section of nerve to destroy the nerve that sends pain signals to your brain.
Integrative approaches
An integrative medicine approach can be used as complementary treatment to enhance the outcomes. It can be used to relieve cancer pain at any stage of treatment. You can use them during procedures, with pain after procedures, and with some types of chronic pain, such as:
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Movement therapies
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
Cancer Pain management involves medications, other procedures, and an integrative approach to provide pain relief. Make sure you work with your doctor to determine what approach or combination of medical treatment works best for you.
Need help with cancer pain? Visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!! If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your pain, we recommend consulting with our healthcare provider to explore the right treatments or therapies for you. Always listen to your body and adjust your daily routine to prioritize your well-being. Visit Doral Health & Wellness Pain Relief Department in Brooklyn, to get professional help and guidance on how to manage your problem. Call us on + 1-718-367-2555 to get a consultation. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors at https://yuz88hfiyh7.typeform.com/Doralintake. Log on to www.doralhw.org. Or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
