|
|
 |
|
WORKING WITH US TO MANAGE YOUR PAIN
Vea esta página en español
It’s Your Right
At Prince William Hospital, assessing and treating your pain is a very significant part of your care. Our physicians and nurses will address your pain upon admission and throughout your stay. It is important for you to communicate with them regarding the pain you may be experiencing. Any reports about your pain or discomfort will be responded to in a timely manner.
About Your Pain
Pain is one of the body’s signals to indicate injury, illness or stress and can be physical, psychological or spiritual.
Physical pain can be described as a stabbing, pinching or aching feeling. Physical pain may also cause discomfort, distress or agony and can be constant or intermittent. The symptoms of psychological and spiritual pain are more difficult to describe, but no less important.
Some patients may experience acute or chronic pain. Acute pain may be severe at times but will gradually lessen as the body heals. Sometimes there may be an unpredictable episode of severe pain not being controlled by the patient’s current medication. This is called breakthrough pain.
Chronic pain may range from mild to severe and can last for three or more months. Chronic pain is sometimes very difficult to relieve, and may require you to work with your physician or nurse to develop coping skills to accept the level of pain.
When pain is well controlled you can be more active, sleep better, eat better and feel more positive. If you are recovering from surgery, controlling your pain can help you get well faster.
We Need to Know
You play an important role in managing your pain. Be sure to tell your physician or nurse when you are in pain, where the pain is occurring, and how intense the pain is.
The following questions may help you to describe the pain to your physician or nurse:
| | Is the pain sharp, achy or dull? | | | When did the pain begin? | | | How long does the pain last? | | | Does anything help relieve the pain? | | | Does anything make the pain worse? | | | What are you doing to relieve or ease your pain? | | | How does the pain or distress affect your daily life or your family? |
Please use a number scale to rate the pain you are experiencing (0 means no pain, 10 means worst pain). Your physician or nurse will teach you how to use the scale to describe your pain.
Talk to your physician and nurse if you:
| | experience any pain | | | have questions about controlling your pain | | | have taken pain medicine and it is not working | | | want additional information regarding pain management |
Remember, the best time to manage pain is when it first
begins.
|
|
|
|
|
