title: Management of chronic pain.
abstract: The principles of chronic pain management in the elderly are the same as in younger people; whenever possible, the cause of the pain should be identified and eradicated. However, older people are more likely to suffer pain from incurable conditions, and the emotional component of the suffering may be considerable. Treatment options include analgesics, opiates, antidepressants and anticonvulsants as well as psychological strategies, physical strategies such as exercise and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and surgery. Improvement of function may be a more important treatment goal than relief of pain.
authors: North West Hospital, Parkville, Vic.
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Helme
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Katz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics