Life Without Pain: The Possibilities of Modern Palliative Care
When a loved one is constantly tormented by chronic pain, the life of the entire family changes beyond recognition. Daily suffering exhausts everyone: the patient's family doesn't get enough sleep, they can't concentrate on ordinary household chores, and are forced to devote all their time to their sick relative.
In palliative medicine, pain is not part of the disease. It is a symptom that needs to be treated. Palliative care physicians develop a treatment plan to ensure a normal life without breakthrough pain.
Today, doctors relieve up to 90% of types of pain. This means the opportunity to live, eat, sleep, and spend time with loved ones.
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Stepped system of pain relief (according to WHO standards)
Stage One: Non-Narcotic Analgesics
Stage One uses non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other non-narcotic medications. They help with mild to moderate pain, especially if there is inflammation.
But if the pain is severe or increasing, delaying increasing the dose or changing the treatment strategy is essential—this can lead to exhaustion and depression.
Second and Third Stages: When Stronger Medications Are Needed
If the pain becomes moderate or severe, opioids are used. There's no need to be afraid of this treatment strategy; it's standard practice in palliative care. Morphine and other complex medications are used only when indicated. The dosage and regimen are determined by the doctor.
To relieve severe pain, the following are used:
- Extended-release tablets (can last for several days)
- Drops, injections, transdermal systems (patches)
Pain management is a necessary stage of treatment. Pain drains energy and hinders recovery.
Palliative care isn't just about medications. Palliative care team members also care about the patient's comfort. They:
- Tell the patient how to position themselves correctly to reduce pain
- Explain how to alternate heat and cold to reduce discomfort
- Give care recommendations
Care is a very important stage of treatment. The patient's family should know everything about preventing pressure ulcers and be able to organize a calm daily routine. When the body is comfortable, pain levels decrease.
The role of relatives in pain management
Family is an important part of the team. But this doesn't mean everyone should endure pain. Relatives should monitor the patient and call the doctor if they notice a deterioration in their condition.
Pain relief should be timely. The sooner you administer medication, the sooner your loved one's mood will improve.
How to Keep a Pain Diary
A pain scale is used to determine the level of pain. It ranges from 0 to 10. The patient's family should keep a pain diary: record when the pain began, where it hurts, what aggravates it, what relieves it, and whether there was any breakthrough pain.
How should I report symptoms to my doctor?
Be specific: "pain 7/10 in the evening," "breakthroughs twice a day," "feel better after 40 minutes of taking the pill," "poor sleep, decreased appetite." Be specific about side effects: nausea, constipation, drowsiness—these are also treatable.
And most importantly: don't change the dosage yourself, even if you think it'll be better.
Table: Myths and Realities about Chronic Pain
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "You have to endure pain to avoid addiction to medication" | Enduring pain exhausts the nervous system and worsens the condition. |
| "Morphine means the end" | Morphine is a pain management tool that restores sleep and strength. |
| "If you feel better, you can stop abruptly." | Abrupt withdrawal and unauthorized dosage changes are dangerous and disrupt control. |
| "Palliative care is only hospice" | Palliative care is available at home, on an outpatient basis, and in a hospital. |
Conclusion: the right to a life free from suffering
Palliative care helps people live pain-free. Chronic pain treatment involves a combination of medications, care, and psychological support. When pain is controlled, the patient's quality of life improves: sleep, appetite, and the desire to communicate with family return.
Palliative care physicians don't treat the disease; they relieve the patient and their family of suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Self-medication is prohibited. All medications, including palliative analgesics, their dosage, and treatment regimen are prescribed only by the attending physician.
Why does pain "break through" even when the patient takes medication as scheduled?
Are patches and extended-release formulations dangerous?
Can stronger medications be avoided?
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What is chronic pain syndrome and why should it not be tolerated?
Chronic pain is pain that lasts a long time (weeks and months) and ceases to be simply a "danger signal." The nervous system becomes exhausted, receptors become more sensitive, and the pain takes on a life of its own. This causes a decline in mood, poor sleep, loss of strength, and a change in the patient's overall condition.
This type of pain cannot be tolerated because it "trains" the brain to suffer. The longer you tolerate it, the more difficult it is to treat chronic pain.
The difference between chronic and acute pain
Acute pain is essentially a signal that something in the body has been damaged and that protection is needed. It usually has a clear cause and goes away when the cause is eliminated.
Chronic pain is a problem in itself: even with treatment for the underlying condition, the nervous system remains overloaded, and the pain persists.