Pain, Pain ? Go Away

"Oh, my aching... (fill in the body part)!" Older people suffer more pain than other age groups. Many choose to live with it because they think nothing can be done. Disc disease in the lower back and arthritis in the joints are the most common causes of chronic pain in the elderly.

You don't have to live with pain just because you're aging. Pain that goes on about a month longer than it should is called "chronic pain." Some seniors don't want to be seen as complainers, so they don't tell their doctors they're in pain. Others fear that if they are given medication, they'll become addicted. For these and other reasons, pain in the elderly is under-treated.

Living with pain
The longer you ignore pain, the harder it is to treat. That's because fatigue, stress and weakness go along with pain. If you don't treat pain, you can end up with even more discomfort. Your body can compensate for pain by placing stress on another joint. Pain is the number one cause of disability in the U.S. Having chronic pain can put you at risk for other diseases, raise blood pressure, delay recovery from an illness or lead to depression.

When to see the doctor
See your doctor if:

• Your pain has lasted two months or more and over-the-counter pain relievers have not helped.
• Your pain is getting worse.
• Pain is disrupting your sleep.
• Other symptoms have developed

Treatment
One size does not fit all when it comes to treating pain. Your doctor may suggest exercise or physical therapy because an unconditioned body is more vulnerable to pain. Your doctor might also prescribe medication, or refer you to a pain management specialist, orthopedist or neurologist.

Acupuncture, relaxation techniques (e.g. massage or meditation) or hypnosis can also help relieve pain. Counseling or support groups can help you cope with stress or depression, which could be adding to your pain.

Generally, the least invasive treatments are offered first. If the pain is stubborn, the next step might be Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). TENS sends a small electric current to nerves carrying pain signals. An injection of medication, a nerve block or a spinal cord implant are other options. Surgery is the last resort.

During treatment, your doctor may ask you to rate your pain on a scale from zero (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). This helps your doctor track your symptoms to and see how you are responding to treatment. Not all pain can be eliminated, but doctors usually have various tools for managing pain and can help you enjoy a normal life.

Related Articles What is Chronic Pain? Living Your Life with Chronic Pain Pain Management Managing Arthritis Pain

External Sources American Chronic Pain Association. A consumer guide to options for managing chronic pain. Accessed January 10, 2007. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Chronic pain information page. Accessed January 10, 2007. American Association of Retired Persons. Dealing with pain. Accessed January 10, 2007.

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