Evaluation of Pain
Pain can vary in the intensity from slight to unbearable. Pain is not a
condition that can be tested by a machine or in a laboratory. It can
only exist in the patient’s mind. Many patients have been told after
numerous tests that nothing is wrong. Testing will not even reveal a
severe physical pain. When it involves psychologic pain, the pain can
be equally severe.
To make a diagnosis of the condition that is the cause of the pain,
the doctor studies the medical history of the patient and questions the
patient to receive as much information as possible concerning the
severity of the pain, whether the pain is constant or
intermittent, and the source of the pain. The pain may be
caused by an injury or by disease such as cancer, heart attack or
stroke.
The doctor also must determine if the pain is acute or
chronic. Acute pain begins suddenly but is short lived. Chronic
pain can last for months or years. From this information, the doctor
determines the best method of treatment. Remember that no matter what
the condition is or the method of treatment, a healthy lifestyle of
proper nutrition, and exercise with no unhealthy habits will always be
beneficial. View my articles on “Keys to the Century Mark” and
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