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Chronic Intractable Pain

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Chronic Intractable Pain Diane Purcell Sophia Praskala Types of Pain: * Acute pain- short term, self-limiting, recent onset, transient often follows an injury. * Chronic pain- 6 months or longer. Persistent pain which can be divided into malignant and non-malignant. These individuals usually present with a complex array of medical and psychosocial problems that render them as a “vulnerable population.” There is evidence of prejudicial attitude esp. by Health Care Providers. * Intractable pain-severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known * means and which may cause a bed or house-bound state. It may cause adverse biologic effects on the body’s cardiovascular, hormone, and neurological systems.

Common Causes of Intractable Pain: * Spine degeneration * Auto immune rheumatoid disease- Fibromyalgia, Lupus * Peripheral nerve damage or Reflex systemic dystrophy * Abdominal adhesions * Headaches- post concussion or post trauma * Malignant Fibromyalgia * Arachnoiditis * Pelvic Floor, Groin, Vulvar, or Prostatic pain * Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Stats: * Back pain reported as primary source of chronic pain followed by osteoarthritis. * Internet survey- 30.7% reported chronic pain, females 34.3% and males 30.7%. Increasing age and lower socioeconomic status are indicators for increase in chronic pain. * In N.C. unintentional overdose accounts for approx. 3 deaths a day. Highest mortality between 45-54 years old.

Family Patient Education: * Preop and postop teaching important in the hospital setting. Let patients and family know what to expect. For example, how will pain be managed, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical methods, how will pain be assessed, etc. * Pain scale, Wong pain scale.

Implications for Nursing: * Patients need to be

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