Pain Management
What is pain?
Pain affects all individuals. It can be felt, described, measured and treated.
Please let your doctors and nurses know you are in pain before it becomes unbearable. It is easier to prevent a small amount of pain from increasing rather than to reduce pain that has become very severe.
Pain monitoring
You will be asked to monitor your pain using a ‘Pain Score’. This ‘Pain Score’ is measured on a scale of 0 to 10.
With this ‘Pain Score’, your healthcare team can adjust your medication accordingly.
Pain medication
There are 3 groups of medication for the treatment of pain:
1. Simple painkillers eg. COX-2 inhibitors, paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), tramadol.
2. Opioids.
3. Drug Enhancing Medicines.
1. Simple painkillers
These drugs work by decreasing the sensitivity of the nerves to pain and reducing inflammation.
These drugs are usually given for mild to moderate pain. For severe pain, they may be given in conjunction with opioids.
2. Opioids
These drugs work by blocking pain sensation in the spinal cord and the brain. They can be administered in a variety of ways, eg. orally, intravenously or through the skin. These drugs are usually given for moderate to severe pain and requires a prescription.
3. Drug Enhancing Medicines
Some medicines, such as antidepressants and anti-convulsants, have pain-relieving properties, and may be useful in treating specific types of pain.
How to use pain medication?
To keep the pain in check, please:
• Take your medication, according to the dose and schedule, as prescribed by the doctor.
• Do not mix Pain Prescription Drugs with over-the-counter Pain Medications without consulting your doctor.
• Inform your doctor or nurse immediately if the pain worsens or if you develop any sideeffects from your medication.
For emergency help and injury care, please proceed to our A&E Department.
Alternative pain-relief treatments Medication alone may not be enough to manage certain kinds of pain. Some medicines are more effective in fighting pain when they are combined with other methods of treatment. Some available treatments include:
Injection Treatments: Reduce swelling, irritation, muscle spasms and abnormal nerve activity that can cause pain.
Nerve blocks: Block a group of nerves, called a plexus or ganglion, that causes pain to a specific organ or body region.
Physical and aquatic therapy: The physiotherapist may suggest an exercise programme tailored for you that will decrease your pain and increase your daily functioning.
Electrical stimulation:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) consists of a small, battery-operated device which can diminish pain by stimulating nerve fibers through the skin.
Psychological support:
Pain can alter one’s personality, disrupt sleep and interfere with work and relationships. Support and counselling combined with a comprehensive pain treatment programme may be useful in managing pain.
Surgery: When necessary, surgery may be recommended.
The doctors at the Pain Clinic can help diagnose and treat your condition.
Yishun
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg
Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg