Wound care and pain

PAIN

Vexing:

Complexities - "Fifty million Americans are in severe pain from arthritis, back injuries, cancer, wounds, and other disabilties. Chronic pain treatment is leading to an escalation of pain-killer abuse, and drug-diversion. Few physicians are trained in the complexities of pain-control." (Time June 2005).

Overlooked - The most importantly overlooked factor in wound-care discipline is in fact, the "pain-care" spectrum. Recent surveys reveal that the disparities in wound and pain-care, be it neglect, indifference, fear, or inexperience, are also "related to income, to insurance, and to racial and ethnic background." Patients, sadly, often remain untreated, in pain and suffering, or unvisited. Dying (USA Today 2003) -"Half of the 1.6 million people living in nursing homes suffer from untreated pain." Pain is clearly associated with tissue damage.

Relief - Coast to Coast Wound Care's traditional objective, however, in any wound-care approach and is to first alleviate pain by the use of topical analgesics. Our professional duty and responsibility is to help relieve suffering, whether the pain is persistent, intermittent, intolerable, or momentary. Many wounds are ceaseless in their intensity. Moreover, our attention is focused on the problem, therefore, not only on untreated pain, but "under treated pain."

Caution - The affected wound-tissues, are skillfully and delicately cared for, and not traumatized or abused by inexperienced hands, harsh chemicals, machines, and hastiness. Anesthetic agents are judicially used when indicated. Following this, the treated wounds are under the constant and watchful eyes of our surgeons on a regular basis, no matter how long it takes. This cautious approach, therefore, comforts the resident-patient, and calms any fears or apprehensions, and is clearly a pain solution.

Behavior - The relationship of acute and chronic pain to both patients' physical symptoms and to the stresses and events in their lives and how their emotions and behavior affect pain have been subjects of study for years. Dr. Samuel F. Dworkin has studied this subject for years and states that pain can cause many with chronic pain to lose their ability to cope with pain and other issues of life and to be "drained." For further reference one can also read, "Impact of Mental Activity On Pain and Wound Healing," Professor Terence Ryan. He offers a personal perspective on the role of mental activity in patients with wounds.