What is Pain?

Pain is subjective and it depends on the person who is feeling it. In the year 1968 Margo McCaffery defined pain as "'Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does".

Pain often tends to interfere with the proper functioning of human life. It brings along sizeable amount of diseases, which are sometimes severe.

Pain can be easily diagnosed as it is an unpleasant happening, but the root cause of the pain needs to be found. It is necessary to look into the details of the duration of pain, intensity of pain, type of pain as in; mild, stabbing or burning, source of pain and location of the part of our body.

Acute pain is something that comes and goes with time. A bit of rest and some analgesics can treat this kind of pain. However, when pain is chronic, then it is known to be a disease and not a symptom any longer. Chronic pain is usually persistent and lasts long.

The pain relief medicines usually belong to a subspecialty which is a separate field and falls under the specialty categories of neurology, anesthesiology, psychiatry and physiatry.

Signs and symptoms

The cause and symptom of pain varies from person to person. Not every person might feel the same kind of pain in the same region of the body. The cause of pain for one can be allegedly different from the others. Pain can be general / acute or chronic, which is a disease.

Symptoms of general or acute pain, which depends on the part of the body:

Headache
Body ache
Knee pain
Side pain
Neck pain
Abdominal pain
Muscle pain
Chest pain
Stomach ache

We often experience this kind of pain in our daily life and it can be treated with a pain relief.

Some of the diseases involving chronic pain are –

Diabetes
Cancer
Spondylosis
Surgical pain
Arthritis
Accidental pain
Injury

Chronic pain is often accompanied by several symptoms like that of

Persistent pain , does not go away easily
Usually the sensation is stabbing, burning, electrifying and aching
Stiffness and tightness, very uncomfortable

Health problems
Pain indicates the arrival of health problems. In case of acute pain, it might result in fever or at times a severe type of fever. However, in case of chronic pain it is obvious that there is a severe problem. Chronic pain usually relates to diabetes, spondylosis, arthritis and even cancer.

Pain if it lasts too long can lead to:

Exhaustion and weakness
Insomnia. If it is chronic pain one might have to spend sleepless nights
More rest is required thereby reducing the daily activities
Prone to infections due to weak immune system
Depression
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, fear and stress
Disability

Diagnosis

While diagnosing the pain a doctor will first look into certain characteristics of pain which include-

Site of pain or localization
Inception and culmination of pain
Character of pain
Radiation of pain
Symptoms of pain
Time of the day when the pain is maximum
Aggravating and improving conditions
Severity

Taking these factors into consideration a doctor will examine the current state of the pain and begin treatment.

Some tests are also required while treating these cases. Blood tests and X rays are very common. Besides, one might need to undergo a scan or EMG too.

Treatment

Analgesics like that of acetaminophen and paracetamol are very helpful incase of acute pain. These drugs are an instant relief. It can be used in fever as well. For stronger pain one can use codeine, combined regular analgesics. It is highly effective in cases of dental pain, migraine and period pain.

Aspirin, which is an anti-inflammatory and a non-steroid drug, helps in healing pain that causes inflammation. Sports persons who hurt themselves while playing commonly use it.

Many types of pain can be treated with over-the-counter medicines. These include Acetaminophen or Tylenol, in New Zealand it is know as paracetamol or Panadol , used for healing pain and fever, proper dosage should be followed as overdose can lead to liver problems.

Naproxen and Ibuprofen (Nurofen ) are some of the commonly known non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, better known as NSAIDs. These drugs help in treating inflammations caused by arthritis or some major injuries. NSAIDs medicines are also a great relief for period pains.

In case of chronic pain, one can rely on analgesics and NSAIDs. Tricyclic antidepressants are also used for treating chronic pain, though not all of these medicines are helpful.

Panadol is also an analgesic, paracetamol based pain healer. It gives fast relief in case of acute pain.

Nurofen pain relief helps in acute pain such as headache and migraine.

Voltaren or diclofenac is also a highly appreciated pain relief drug. However, it has its some side effects and people with stomach ulcer, asthma, liver and kidney problems should not take it.

Support

Besides medicines, some of the gels are also very useful. You can try Anti Flamme cream , which is a great relief for joint pain, muscle strains and bruises. Sports person use this as an aid for sprains and injuries. It is very popular in New Zealand and is available online.

Rheumon gel is very effective in treating some of the major chronic pain. This includes arthritis, back pain and tendon pain. It is available with New Zealand online pharmacy.

Pain can also be treated by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A combination of different therapies can cure a pain without any medication. A strict routine is all you need to follow-

Exercise regularly followed by swimming or walking
A balanced diet. Deficiency of any of the essential vitamins or calcium can cause pain.
Sleep well, meditation and acupuncture therapy is very soothing

Online Pharmacy

It is always advised to consult a doctor before taking any drug. Every drug has its side effects, which needs to be confirmed. Your medical history will allow the doctor to determine the best-suited treatment for you. Only after this go to any online pharmacy and get your medicine.