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Written by Wayney
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30 December 2007 |
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“Acute and chronic pain afflicts millions upon millions of persons annually, and in many patients with chronic pain and a significant percentage of those with acute pain, it is inadequately relieved. Consequently, pain is the most frequent cause of suffering and disability, and seriously impairs the quality of life of millions of people throughout the world. Studies suggest that annually in the United States and many other industrialized nations, 15 to 20% of the population have acute pain, and between 25 and 30% have chronic pain.” (12) Patients for whom non-opioid treatments do not adequately control chronic pain should not fear addiction to opioid medications when used properly, responsibly, and under the care of a competent physician. Patients should also not fear that increasing the dosages of medication will lead to becoming unable to adequately treat greater pain. These patients should understand the differences between tolerance, dependency, and addiction. What is chronic pain? How is it treated? How are opioid medications useful in treating chronic pain? How do opioid medications work? What are the differences between addiction, dependence and tolerance? Why should people with chronic pain not fear taking opioid medications due to tolerance, addiction and dependence?
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