Cancer pain patients should also know the following issues so that they can better cooperate with doctors and improve the treatment effect.
1.What principles should be followed in cancer pain treatment
The “three-step pain relief method” is to apply NSAIDs, weak opioids and strong opioids alone or in combination with other necessary adjuvants according to the different degrees of pain, and administer them in a stepwise manner.
The application of these drugs is subject to five important principles.
(1) Administration in a stepwise manner: choose pain medication according to the patient’s pain level
② Preferring non-invasive routes of administration: Avoiding invasive routes of administration, such as intramuscular injection or intravenous administration as much as possible.
(3) Timely drug administration: The drugs should be administered regularly at prescribed intervals.
④ Individualized drug administration: The drug dose must be decided according to the specific situation of the patient.
⑤ Pay attention to specific details: closely observe the degree of pain relief and actively prevent and deal with adverse reactions.
2.Why cancer pain treatment needs frequent assessment
Pain level assessment is not only used before treatment, but also during treatment. Quantitative assessment helps to adjust the dose of analgesic drugs to achieve the best analgesic effect and minimize drug side effects.
Pain management is a dynamic process that requires frequent reassessment to determine treatment efficacy and dose adjustment. During the treatment process, patients get the best treatment requires doctors to adjust the drug dose and deal with opioid-related side effects in a timely manner.
3.How to describe cancer pain to doctors
Some people find it difficult to describe pain clearly to others, but if you can try to express it in words, others will know more about how you feel. You can try to describe your pain from the following aspects.
① Where does it hurt? One place or the whole body?
② When did the pain start? Is the pain constant or intermittent?
③ What kind of pain is it? A sharp, cutting pain? Dull pain? A vague pain?
④ How severe or intense is the pain?
⑤ What conditions make you feel more painful?
⑥ What methods have you tried to change the pain? Which ones work? Which ones don’t work?
⑦ Is the pain constant? If not, how many times a day or week does it hurt?
⑧ How long does each pain last?
⑨ Have you taken any analgesics?
4.What kind of situation should you see a doctor in time?
① Pain is not relieved
② New pain appears, especially persistent or severe pain
③ The number of pain attacks increases, or the duration of the attacks is prolonged
④ The pain does not improve after taking the medicine, or the pain does not appear until the next time you take the medicine.
⑤ Side effects of the medication
(6) Pain that interferes with eating, sleeping, or working
⑦ The time of taking the medicine or the method of taking the medicine is not suitable for you.
5.What to pay attention to during treatment
① Adjust the dose under the guidance of your doctor
② The medication has potential effects on the mind, and you should not engage in dangerous work such as operating or driving during the medication period.
③ Do not drink alcohol, and if you need to combine central system depressants (hypnotics, sedatives), you should use the drugs under the guidance of a physician to avoid serious side effects of central nervous system depression.
④ There is a large individual difference in the use of analgesic treatment, do not transfer the drugs to others.
⑤ Use and stop the medication according to medical advice
6. How to prevent constipation caused by analgesics
Patients using opioids should be treated with prophylactic laxative drugs at the same time. To prevent constipation, efforts should be made to overcome the reversible factors that cause constipation.
① Drink more water
② Use high-fiber foods, such as fruits and fresh vegetables
③ Appropriate exercise, abdominal massage, and regular bowel habits
④ Lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, multi-enzyme tablets, soybean oligosaccharides, etc. to help digestion and bowel movement
⑤ Preventive laxative medication
(6) Alternatively, use a small amount of laxatives such as senna, aloe vera, marijuana pills, bishacodyl, etc.
7.How to prevent side effects such as nausea and vomiting from using analgesics?
The incidence of nausea and vomiting is much lower than that of constipation, and preventive measures include.
① Light diet, not too full, can eat less and more meals
② Common antiemetic drugs: a, drugs to promote gastrointestinal motility b, glucocorticoids and haloperidol c, central antiemetic drugs
③ For severe reactions that cannot be tolerated, opioids can be replaced or reduced
④ Other treatments are available, such as non-pharmacological methods including acupuncture, acupressure, electroacupuncture stimulation, etc.