Here are tips for managing pain

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN GLENNA WILSON
Pain doesn’t have to increase with age. If you are a senior adult who has lots of pain, there are some simple steps you can take to feel better.

First, stop, analyze and reflect on what may have caused the discomfort. You may be able to help yourself feel better, or at least you can know what to tell your doctor to get the best diagnosis possible.

If the pain is mild to moderate and you know what caused it, you can do several things that might help. Rest and limited activity is a starting place. Also, you may apply cold or heat to the area that hurts.

Cold packs should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. A cold pack can be as simple as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a light towel. This can keep swelling down and is helpful for arthritis, sprains and strains.

If pain lasts longer than a day or two, heat may help. Warm, moist heat packs can relieve muscle, joint and back pain. A heat pack can be a hot water bottle or a sock filled with rice and heated for a few minutes in the microwave. For arthritis, alternating heat and cold may be more effective than either alone.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful-just be sure you follow the dosage recommendations on the package. Aspirin, the old stand-by, is a good choice, but if taken regularly can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause internal bleeding.

The American Geriatric Association recommends pain relievers that contain acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, as safe and effective. They recommend a maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams a day, preferably in 1,000 milligram doses spaced throughout the day.

Other over-the-counter drugs are identified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS). They contain naproxen sodium and are marketed as Ibuprophen, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, and others.

If you are taking a NSAID, don’t take the maximum dose for more than a week without a doctor’s supervision, said Lynne Ross of Rehabilitation Services, Mercy Health Center, Manhattan.

With long-term use, NSAIDs can damage the liver and kidney.

Some other suggestions for reducing mild pain are to schedule a gentle massage, participate in regular, mild exercise, and develop a cheerful attitude.

Also, make time to socialize with friends. Taking your focus off yourself and finding ways to help others can sometimes be the best medicine available, Ross said.

If your pain level is severe or persistent, you need to be diagnosed by your doctor, especially if you have had a fall, have numbness with swelling and redness, or if you have a history of serious disease.

Be prepared to describe to the doctor the pain, where it is, when it hurts most, what it feels like, and what you have done to treat it with what results. List all medicines you are using, including pain relievers and other supplements.

Don’t delay getting help with sudden or severe pain! You could be having a heart attack or stroke: call 911 for emergency help immediately.

Ross said taking an aspirin for heart attack and stroke symptoms while you wait for the ambulance is recommended.

If you have chronic, long-term pain, you probably want to see a pain specialist. Many hospitals now offer clinics that practice pain management.

According to Diane Otte, registered nurse and Pain Clinic director at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, millions of people suffer from chronic pain caused by cancer, diabetes, stroke, neck and back pain, migraine headaches and other causes.

If you fall into one of these categories, a pain specialist may be your best option.

A pain specialist works with your primary care physician or referring specialist in a team effort to manage chronic pain. Using a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, a pain specialist will look for the source of your pain and will recommend the quickest, most effective way to treat it.

No one can guarantee your pain will be totally eliminated, but many options can help control and manage it. If you are in pain, don’t suffer believing it is an inevitable result of getting older.

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