Management of chronic pain in older adults
The National Academies of Medicine, the American Geriatrics Society, and the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) publish some of the most up-to-date articles on pain management for older adults. Learn more at http://www.pubmed.com/medscape/nonoperative-treatment-of-osteoporotic-compression-fractures.
Ann Intern Med published a review of the effectiveness and risks of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain in older adults. Psychological treatments for chronic pain: time for a paradigm shift? Pain 2012;154:1929-31. Motivational interviewing and exercise program for community-dwelling older people with chronic pain.
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Use paracetamol (acetaminophen) for mild to moderate pain and oral NSAIDs for the shortest time possible. Anticonvulsants (for example, pregabalin, gabapentin) for moderate to severe pain or significant impairments in functioning or quality of life.
What percentage of geriatric population suffers from pain?
Pain is most common in the elderly [13] [14], with 45-85 percent of the population suffering from it [15] [16]. Pain is defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described regarding such damage” [8].
How many older adults have chronic pain?
According to the National Health Interview Survey, in the previous three months, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain, and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (high impact chronic pain).
How does chronic pain affect the elderly?
Chronic pain in the elderly is linked to a higher risk of negative outcomes, such as functional impairment, falls, depression, and sleep disturbances, and pain management in the elderly differs significantly from that in the younger.
Are elderly less sensitive to pain?
Under normal physiological conditions, older people may be less sensitive to low levels of stimuli u2013 for example, they may have a higher pain threshold u2013 but they tend to be more sensitive to higher levels of stimuli, implying a reduced ability to tolerate more severe pain.
What is the best pain medication for elderly?
Acetaminophen (like Tylenol) is the safest over-the-counter painkiller for most seniors; however, older adults should not take more than 3000 mg of acetaminophen in one day, as high doses can cause serious or fatal liver damage.
Is Demerol a good choice for 70 year old?
Meperidine is a poor drug for pain control in elderly patients because it is less likely to provide adequate pain relief and can cause delirium or seizures; use of this drug in vulnerable patients over the age of 65 is considered a sign of poor quality care.
What is the most common chronic illness in older adults?
Isolated systolic hypertension is particularly common among older adults and is associated with mortality even at advanced ages (23). Hypertension is a major contributor to atherosclerosis and is the most common chronic disease of older adults (23).
What is the most common type of chronic pain?
The following are some of the most common types of chronic pain:
- Headache.
- Postsurgical pain.
- Post-trauma pain.
- Lower back pain.
- Cancer pain.
- Arthritis pain.
- Neurogenic pain (pain caused by nerve damage)
- Psychogenic pain (pain that isn’t caused by disease, injury, or nerve damage)
How do older adults react to pain?
Reduced mobility, avoidance of activity, falls, depression and anxiety, sleep impairment, and isolation are all linked to pain, and its negative effects extend beyond the patient, disrupting both family and social relationships.
How can I help elderly with chronic pain?
3.) Provide your senior with the assistance they require.
- Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- assistance with movement, such as walking, sitting, or standing
- assistance with bathing, grooming, going to the bathroom, and other tasks that may be more difficult when dealing with pain.
Why do old people have a lot of pain?
Joint pain, muscle strains, and trauma from falls and broken bones are three major sources of physical pain for seniors, and we become more susceptible to these as we age because the risk of certain chronic conditions rises with age.
Is tramadol OK for elderly?
In patients 75 years and older, use any form of tramadol with extreme caution, as the elderly may be more susceptible to tramadol side effects due to lowered liver or kidney function, as well as reduced metabolism and excretion.
What are behavioral changes that may indicate an elderly person is in pain?
Verbal complaints, negative vocalizations, sighing, moaning, agitation, crying, grimacing, rapid blinking, movement/restlessness, rubbing, strength, reinforcement, stiffness, wandering, inappropriate verbal speech, and aggression can all be considered signs of pain [16], but in patients with cognitive impairment, sighing, moaning, agitation, crying, grimacing, rapid blinking, movement/restlessness, rubbing, strength, reinforcement, stiffness
Do older people have a higher pain tolerance?
Older adults may have higher pain thresholds and tolerances, which can be dangerous because it makes them more vulnerable to unrecognized pain and the loss of pain as a warning sign.
What do old people use for aches and pains?
Put an ice pack on the sore area, wrap it in a bandage, and elevate it (for example, put your leg on two pillows if your knee hurts). Take an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to reduce inflammation, and consult your doctor if you don’t feel better after a week.