• Published on: Sep 23, 2021
  • 4 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Treating Chronic Pain Medications, Relieve Chronic Pain

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What Is Pain Management?

Pain management is all about easing the suffering caused by chronic, acute, and cancer pain. Pain management takes on many forms because there are so many factors that can cause or contribute to pain.

Pain management is an important aspect of healthcare and should always involve a doctor or other licensed provider. It differs from pain relief in the sense that pain relief does not necessarily refer to an entire spectrum of care whereas pain management does.

Pain management is the use of medication, therapeutic treatments, psychotherapy, or any other means to relieve pain during its various stages.

Pain management may take place in diverse clinical settings, include analgesic combination treatment with opioids and an adjuvant drug. The initial step of prescribing analgesics for acute pain is important because it can affect whether post-surgical patients will be successfully transitioned back to their pre-surgical functional level at discharge. A 2006 survey found that 43% of adults living with daily chronic pain feel neglected by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Pain awareness is generated by the vast network of nerves that permeate our bodies. When pain neurons are stimulated, they send signals to the brain which, in turn, will produce an effector response. The objective of pain management is to interrupt or inhibit these impulses before they reach their target.

The use of analgesics (pain-numbing medication) gives immediate relief for many types of pain and also lessens sensitivity so that minor stimuli are not felt as acutely as often or at all. Examples include topical analgesics like calamine lotion or alum; non-narcotic medications like acetaminophen; and narcotic medications like codeine (to be used under medical supervision).

Pain management is a risk management strategy used to combat the growing opioid epidemic. Relying on a single treatment option that only masks the pain puts more people at risk of addiction and makes it harder for them to function in everyday life. On the other hand, using more than one method of pain relief may have a synergistic effect - for instance, while medications may suppress acute pain, physical therapy can help patients find ways to avoid future injuries which would add to their chronic pain burden. Considering this, it's often suggested that clinicians coordinate care with individuals, so they have diverse means of managing their pain.

Pain management refers to the treatments available for different people experiencing chronic or acute pain. Pain management can involve medications, physical therapy, massage therapy, meditation, and more. Consult with your doctor on what treatments are best for you-or to explore these options on your own to better understand which treatment may be right for you!

Pain management is the use of medications and other treatments to control pain. Pain management is a medical approach used to provide relief from pain. Pain management may include measures such as anesthesia, neuropathic pain medications, physical therapy or other treatments. In some cases, people may be able to manage pain through activities such as yoga and meditation.

The goal of pain management is to allow a person who has constant painful symptoms the opportunity to achieve a high quality of life while still being able to function in their daily routine. Some individuals can maintain this status indefinitely while others experience periods where the efficacy of treatment wears off and certain chronic conditions start progressing again due to continued inflammation or damage in the body. The long-term prognosis depends on how severe the cause for sensory input was originally and other factors that have been enabled by treatment

It's important to distinguish the sensation of pain from its cause. Pain is a physical response that is sent by nerve cells to the brain when they are damaged, inflamed, or irritated. It acts as an indicator of findings of danger or harm to the body. The two main types of pain are "nociceptive" - telling you about potential injuries - and "neuropathic" feeling caused by disease rather than injury. Neuropathic pain can be difficult because it has so many different forms and underlying causes that have not been identified in most cases but may include post-shingles wounds or damage due to diabetes, chemotherapy or infections with HIV. Acute neuropathic pain often requires medications for relief including

Pain management is a strategy for controlling chronic pain. It involves finding and treating the underlying cause of the pain as well as preventing further injury to the area, using techniques such as physical therapy.

The first step in long-term pain management is always assessment and treatment of the underlying cause(s). For example, if we find that someone has bone cancer then we treat their cancer with surgery and chemotherapy more than we worry about treating their pain directly. Other common causes might be post-surgery recovery or nerve damage due to trauma or disease. The second step is prevention and education.

Pain management is the act of making it easier for you to get through pain or feel better during your pain. Whatever this might look like - such as sitting in a warm bath, taking a hot shower, meditating - there is no "right" way to manage pain except by what works best for YOU. It may sound silly, but what can work best for one person won't necessarily work best for another and that's okay.  Quality of life and happiness matter more than anything else and deserve our attention!

Pain management is a nurse's specialty that allows patients to recover with less discomfort and pain. They do this by using analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics that reduce or suppress the sensation of pain.

Pain Management nurses specifically focus on alleviating symptoms and enhancing recovery in interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The goal is for patients to be efficient at returning home within 24 hours from surgery so they can resume activities of daily living while achieving the improvements require after major surgery. Achieving these goals will dramatically improve quality of life while providing continuity of care from one provider to another between providers visits.

Pain management is a method of controlling or relieving pain, especially when there are no effective remedies. Pain management encompasses many different techniques, including analgesics (drugs that relieve pain) and adjunctive therapies, which include physical therapy and behavioral treatments. 

Cannabis has been an empirically recognized medicinal plant since time immemorial for its analgesic effects in reducing chronic neuropathic pain in otherwise treatment-resistant individuals. Previous studies have also suggested that the endocannabinoid system provides a promising therapeutic target in mitigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

There are many different techniques for effectively managing pain without the unwanted side effects of medications. The following are recommended, in order from less to most aggressive,

1. Acupuncture - acupuncture stimulates certain nerves that lessen or even stop nociception signals.

2. Trigger point therapy - massaging muscles may release trigger points that increase pressure on surrounding tissues, causing referral pain elsewhere in the body, i.e., headache or back pain

3. Yoga- this may include focusing on breathing exercises and poses that stretch tight muscles to help resolve chronic tension

4. Breathing exercises- If you suffer stress-induced headaches or other symptoms associated with overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), it might be time to try

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Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids

Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids: Recognizing, Preventing & Overcoming “Hidden Hunger”

Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy — tall, strong, smart, and full of energy. But in India, many kids suffer from what is known as “hidden hunger.” It means that even though they are eating, their diet lacks essential nutrients. These nutritional deficiencies can affect growth, learning, immunity, and long-term health. In this blog, we’ll explore the major nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids, what causes them, how to detect them, and what parents can do. Let’s dive into nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids.

 

What Are the Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies?

Based on recent research and national surveys, the following are among the most widespread deficiencies in Indian children:

  • Iron Deficiency / Anaemia
    A large percentage of Indian kids (especially under-5s) have low hemoglobin and low iron stores. Anaemia can cause tiredness, slow cognitive development, and lowered immunity. Lippincott Journals+2PMC+2
     

  • Vitamin A Deficiency
    Vitamin A is essential for good vision, immunity, and healthy cells. Many children under 5 show sub-clinical deficiency; some show clinical signs like night blindness. Lippincott Journals+1
     

  • Iodine Deficiency
    Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, which affects brain development. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, delayed mental development, and poor school performance. Lippincott Journals+2thyrocare.com+2
     

  • Vitamin D Deficiency
    Even though India is sunny, many children have low vitamin D — due to indoor living, limited sun exposure, skin coverage, or dietary gaps. This impacts bone health, growth, and risks rickets. PMC+1
     

  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
    In poorer or marginalized communities, children may not get enough protein or calories. This leads to underweight, wasting, stunting, and weakened immunity. Lippincott Journals+2HDFC ERGO+2
     

  • Other Micronutrients (Vitamin B12, folate, zinc etc.)
    Deficiencies in B12 & folate can affect cell division, blood production, nerve function; zinc deficiency weakens immunity & slows growth. PMC+2nanhedil.com+2
     

 

Why Do These Deficiencies Happen?

Understanding the causes helps in prevention:

  1. Dietary Factors
    Many diets are heavy in cereals or starches but low in diversity. Meals may lack fruits, vegetables, animal-source foods (meat, eggs, fish) or fortified products.
     

  2. Bioavailability of Nutrients
    Even when foods contain nutrients, they may not be absorbed well. For example, plant-based iron is less readily absorbed, phytates in grains and legumes can reduce absorption.
     

  3. Socioeconomic Constraints
    Poverty, food insecurity, access issues, lack of awareness, and sometimes traditional/cultural food beliefs limit access to nutrient-rich foods.
     

  4. Living Conditions and Health
    Frequent infections, parasitic infestations, poor hygiene, etc., can increase nutrient loss or demand. Also sunlight exposure (important for vitamin D) is inadequate in many cases.
     

  5. Gaps in Implementation of Prevention Programs
    Though India has multiple programs (fortification, supplement distribution, ICDS, National Nutrition Mission etc.), challenges remain in reach, compliance, quality, and behavioural change.
     

 

Effects of Nutritional Deficiencies

These deficiencies have short-term and long-term effects:

  • Growth stunting (children don’t reach their full height potential)
     

  • Wasting (low weight for height), underweight
     

  • Impaired cognitive development & learning difficulties
     

  • Weak immune system ? more infections
     

  • Delayed motor skills, poor school performance
     

  • Bone deformities (rickets, weak bones)
     

  • Poor quality of life; in severe cases, increased mortality
     

 

How to Detect & Diagnose Early

Taking action early helps avoid permanent harm. Key strategies include:

  • Regular growth monitoring: Checking weight, height, BMI for age
     

  • Look for signs: Pale skin or lips, tiredness, delayed milestones, frequent illness, bone pain or deformities (knees bowing, wrist/ankle enlargement)
     

  • Lab tests:
     

    • Haemoglobin & complete blood count
       

    • Serum ferritin for iron stores
       

    • Serum levels for vitamin A (retinol)
       

    • 25-OH vitamin D test
       

    • Serum B12, folate
       

    • Urinary iodine excretion or salt iodine test
       

    • Protein / albumin levels
       

Using broad vitamin profiles (like those from Thyrocare) can help screen for multiple deficiencies in one go.

 

Foods, Diet & Prevention: What Parents / Caregivers Can Do

Here are practical steps parents can take:

  • Diversify diet: Include pulses, legumes, eggs, dairy, meat (if non-vegetarian), fish; plenty of green leafy vegetables & fruits.
     

  • Fortified foods: Use iodised salt; choose cereals / milk products fortified with vitamins & iron.
     

  • Sunlight exposure: Encourage outdoor activities; even short daily sun exposure (face, arms) helps vitamin D.
     

  • Supplementation when needed: Under doctor guidance, provide vitamin A doses, iron/folic acid, vitamin D etc., especially in high-risk children.
     

  • Hygiene & health care: Prevent worm infections, diarrhoea etc. which can drain nutrients. Ensure vaccinations.
     

  • Education & awareness: Teach families importance of nutrition, balanced meals, what local foods can provide what nutrients.
     

 

What Parents Should Ask Healthcare Providers

  • Ask whether your child needs screening for deficiencies (e.g., iron, vitamin A, D, B12).
     

  • If lab tests are suggested, check whether it’s comprehensive or narrow, cost, and follow-up.
     

  • Seek help for dietary planning, perhaps from nutritionists or public health bodies.
     

  • Learn about local government/NGO programs—free or subsidized supplementation or fortified food programs.
     

 

When to Seek Medical Help

If your child has:

  • Persistent anaemia symptoms (very pale, lethargic)
     

  • Growth issues (falling off growth charts)
     

  • Bone deformities or pain
     

  • Severe or recurrent infections
     

  • Unusual signs like night blindness, goitre
     

Then get a medical evaluation. Early intervention can make a big difference.

 

Conclusion & Call to Action

Nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids are common—but many are preventable or treatable. By recognizing risks, ensuring good diet, doing appropriate lab tests, and using supplements or fortified foods when needed, children can grow healthier, smarter, and stronger.

If you’re concerned that your child may have one or more of these deficiencies, talk to a trusted pediatrician or nutritionist, and consider getting a comprehensive vitamin & nutrition profile done (for example through Thyrocare or SecondMedic) to know exactly where improvements are needed. Don’t wait—every child deserves a strong foundation.

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