Signs and symptoms of pain vary from each individual, based on the patient's specific maladies. Pain can impair every aspect of an individual's life. According to scientific reports, women are more sensitive to pain and require stronger doses of pain medication. Scientists believe that these differences are linked to genetic factors. Examples include the 0-10 Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, as designed by the Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research in 1992.
Faces range from happy to very sad.
The patient, in association with her physician and healthcare professionals, determines an effective management plan to keep her symptoms at a minimum and regain her quality of life. Pain management can be achieved through varied methods, ranging from alternatives to opioids. Psychological counseling is often incorporated into a patient's pain management program to relieve anxiety, anger, fear and other emotional aspects of pain. Finally, narcotic prescriptions are used alone or in conjunction with other therapies to treat a patient's pain. Opioids may also be used alone as therapy for patients no longer responding to or tolerating non-opioids.