Weber: Chronic Pain Flashcards
What is dependence?
After taking an opiate for several weeks a pt’s body becomes DEPENDENT on the medication.
When the medication is stopped, the body begins to experience WITHDRAWAL w/in 6-12 hrs.
Increased pain, N/V, depression
What is tolerance?
after taking opiates for a while, the body will require an INCREASED DOSAGE to experience the SAME LEVEL of pain relief
What is addiction?
a disease where people seek drugs for pleasure and coping WITH NO regard for CONSEQUENCES
What are NATURAL outcomes of taking an opiate that DONT indicate addiction?
dependence and tolerance
What is it important to educate pts?
When pts are educated about the way their brain receives and interprets pain signals they are LESS LIKELY to CATASTROPHIZE and their ability to cope is INCREASED
When do pts seek alternative therapies?
When they no longer get relief from traditional medical sources
What can be a significant source of coping for pts with chronic pain?
spirituality
Physicians should approach this proactively
When prescribing opiates, what are some things that are important to consider?
- customizing the pt’s pain prescription
2. Consider CONTRACT w/ pt with additional therapies (CBT) and a plan for eventually tapering off
What is the mindfulness/meditative approach to chronic pain?
Pt should look at their pain w/ awareness.
shown to be effective and helps pts to cope with mental and physical effects of pain.
How can movement be used to address chronic pain?
small, gentle movements made w/ awarements can RETRAIN The brain and result in increased ability to move and decreased pain
How can monitoring be used to manage chronic pain?
monitoring daily pain/stress levels gives pts a sense of control and increases their awareness of the effects of stress on pain
How do relationships help pts to better cope w/ chornic pain?
people who have good supportive relationships cope better w/ pain
How does chronic pain affect sleep?
often leads to insomnia which is a huge problem
tx: sleep hygiene
What is CBT?
Helps pts to learn coping skills reframe pain confront negative beliefs address anxiety helps w/ depression
