What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain?
Acute pain is temporary and typically results from an injury, surgery or infection. Chronic pain is reoccurring or continuous pain that persists for longer than two weeks. It is usually caused by a disease or the body’s abnormal reaction to injury or stimulus. It tends to be less intense than acute pain, but it can be just as debilitating.
How do you manage acute pain?
Southeast Anesthesiology Consultants physicians provide acute pain management services to patients during and immediately after surgery. It is our philosophy that pain control after surgery contributes to the healing process. This is why it is imperative that your anesthesiologist remain involved in your post surgical treatment. If pain is not adequately controlled following surgery, patients may not be able to perform the functions necessary to heal satisfactorily. Functions like taking deep breaths, getting out of bed and walking can be difficult after surgery and sometimes require interventional pain management methods. If pain is allowed to persist the resulting inactivity can lead to severe problems such as pneumonia or an embolism.
Many techniques are available that can help patients achieve high levels of comfort and safety following surgery. Acute pain management is normally conducted in the hospital, but modified techniques can be offered at home with the help of a home care team.
What techniques are used to manage acute pain?
Acute pain techniques vary greatly from patient to patient. Some of the techniques our physicians use include prescription medicines, nerve blocks, continuous epidurals, spinal blocks, nerve stimulators and narcotic infusions. Our physicians recognize each patient is unique and tailor the treatment to your individual needs.