Older people in hospital - Pain management

Pain in hospital#

Pain can affect your mood, your sleep, your ability to move around and your ability to think clearly. Many people experience pain in hospital as a result of their condition, or during recovery from treatment such as surgery. This pain needs to be managed. Controlling pain helps your recovery, and there are many things you can do.

Don’t treat pain as something you simply have to adjust to, or as a normal part of ageing. If you have pain, talk to your nurse and doctor so they can treat both the cause and the pain itself.

What is pain?#

Every person’s experience of pain is different. Pain can be linked to a physical injury, but it can also be an emotional response. Talking about your pain and how you are feeling is very important. Some people think they just have to accept pain, and that talking about it won’t help, but there are ways to manage pain once you tell your healthcare team about it.

Pain does not feel the same for everyone. Describing your pain clearly will help hospital staff find the best treatment. You might describe pain by:

• how strong it feels (such as dull or intense)
• its nature (such as an aching feeling or a sharp pain)
• its location (where in your body you feel it)
• the emotional response it brings (such as unpleasantness, fear, exhaustion, frustration or anxiety)
• its impact on daily life (such as getting dressed, mood, social relationships and leisure activities)

Pain is often grouped into two types:

• Acute pain lasts for a short time, such as days or weeks. It is common after surgery or physical trauma, such as damage to skin or muscle tissue, and usually goes away once the damaged area has healed.
• Persistent or chronic pain extends beyond the normal healing period (traditionally beyond three months). It can exist without a clear cause, for example with a condition where healing is not expected. Chronic pain is recognized as a condition in its own right, not just a symptom.

Identifying the underlying cause of a person’s pain while they are in hospital is important, so staff can treat and manage it effectively. Treatment varies with the type of pain, but usually involves a combination of medication and other approaches.

Why you should report pain#

People in hospital may experience discomfort or acute pain as a result of surgery or some procedures. Always report pain to hospital staff, because it can be managed during your stay and addressed as part of your discharge plan.

Some people are reluctant to acknowledge or report pain, but pain that is not managed can slow your recovery and lengthen your stay in hospital. Unmanaged pain can also make you less mobile and less independent, and more likely to become depressed, anxious or isolated. It can make everyday activities harder. You don’t have to put up with acute pain during your time in hospital, so speak up and tell staff how you are feeling. The most accurate information about your pain comes from you.

Helping staff manage your pain#

Tell hospital staff if you feel any pain, including:

• where the pain is
• how strong the pain is
• the type of pain you have (for example, aching, throbbing or stabbing)
• the activities that make it better or worse
• how it affects your daily activities (for example, your appetite, sleep, mood and ability to move around)

If you are in pain, ask for pain relief as soon as it starts. It is better to have pain medication regularly than to wait until the pain becomes severe. Hospital staff may often ask whether you are in pain, or carry out a formal pain assessment. Answer the questions honestly and to the best of your ability. Ask your nurse for pain medication about half an hour before any activity you know will make your pain worse.

Techniques to manage pain in hospital#

Ask staff for information on ways to help reduce pain. You, your family and carers should take an active role in planning your treatment and setting goals. Treatments for pain usually include both medication and other therapies, such as:

• gentle exercise
• applying heat or cold packs
• manual therapies (for example, physiotherapy or massage)
• relaxation techniques
• finding enjoyable activities that take your mind off the pain and don’t make it worse

Stay as mobile as you can. Resting in bed for long periods will increase pain and put pressure on your skin. Over time, you will also lose muscle strength and become less mobile.

Pain relief after you leave hospital#

If you are prescribed pain-relieving medication to take after leaving hospital, be aware that there can be common side effects, which may include constipation and reduced alertness.

Ask your doctor about the medication you have been given, what side effects you may experience and what to do if any occur. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for the consumer medicine information for your medication, which provides detailed information about it.

Key points#

• If you have pain, talk to your nurse and doctor so they can treat the cause and the pain itself.
• Talking about your pain and how you are feeling is very important.
• Describing your pain clearly will help hospital staff find the best treatment.
• Acute pain is common following surgery or physical trauma, such as damage to skin or muscle tissue.
• Chronic pain is recognized as a condition in its own right, not just a symptom.

Where to get help#