Posts Tagged ‘intermittent pain’

Pain manifests itself in a number of ways. There’s localized physical pain—the kind that when asked, you can literally put your finger on it. Generalized pain is diffuse and sometimes difficult to describe. It is like background noise that is always there. Think of your refrigerator at home. It constantly hums but you don’t hear it. You notice more the silence if it quits humming. Of course pain can be intermittent as in pain that only hurts when you move a certain way. Regardless, it is natural to try to avoid pain. We want it to go away. When pain is intractable or intense, it can immobilize us both physically and mentally. On the emotional side, it can make us a bear to live with. We don’t like anybody and we sure don’t like ourselves when we hurt.

When working with the elderly it is important to be mindful that pain may lead to reduced physical activity, lack of interest in personal grooming, poor appetite, disrupted sleep patterns, and an ill mood. Left untreated, the door is open for depression as well. From time to time ask your older loved one if they hurt anywhere? Look for the furrowed brow or the facial grimace. Notice if they seem to be favoring one extremity over another. Be alert to any significant changes in their daily routines. Those older adult with dementia may not be able to adequately communicate it if they are experiencing pain, so caregiver attentiveness to any nonverbal clue is essential.

There are a lot of changes associated with aging that cannot be alleviated. However, most pain is treatable. A trip to the physician is a must to be sure the appropriate treatment is prescribed and monitored closely. Medication side effects and interactions can be addressed with the older adult’s doctor. Other treatment modalities such as physical therapy may also need consideration. We all want the best quality of life possible. I can’t imagine anything much better than getting rid of unnecessary pain.

Here’s to feeling no pain!
Connie