Pain is typically our body’s way of telling us that there is a problem with our body. An infection, an injury, a procedure or other onslaught to our body can lead to pain. Pain is also a very personal experience and the sensation and severity of unique to each of us. However, as we age, we may not be able to “fix” the issue leading to the pain. Pain then becomes a condition that still needs treatment for quality of life, but the regimen and approach are different than if it is acute pain from a treatable condition.
There are a multitude of pain medications on the market. You can purchase some of the medications over the counter. Aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve) are some of the more common medications. While they can be purchased without a prescription, they are not without side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider before you take any medication because it may not be safe to take with your other medications.
Chronic pain can lead to depression, withdrawal, and social isolation. It is difficult to participate in life when you are in pain. You may also be sleep deprived from chronic pain. When we have pain, our body is on high alert because our body considers pain a symptom of a disease that could be life-altering. The stress of pain is accompanied by stress hormones. These are the same chemicals that make us run faster, jump higher and elevate our pulse and blood pressure in an attempt to escape the situation. Our bodies are not made for this sustained stress, and there are temporary and permanent side effects with prolonged duration.
Senior’s bodies are not as efficient at handling medications as younger individuals. As our bodies change, our ability to break down medications is less. We also take more medications, and the interaction of medications for different problems can be deadly in seniors. We also start low and go slow as we evaluate any new medication when treating a senior. A usual adult dose may be deadly for a senior.
Talk to you healthcare provider if you are having pain. It is not necessary to use an opiate or narcotic to treat pain. There are many non-medical options that work just as well as medications. You do not need to suffer in silence and lose the quality of your life due to pain. Ask us for help.