A pain state which is persistent and in which the underlying cause of the pain cannot be removed or otherwise treated. Chronic pain may be associated with a long-term incurable or intractable medical condition or disease. 2 back to top pain management Pain management is the systematic study of clinical and basic science and its application for the reduction of pain and suffering. It also is the blending of tools, techniques, and principles to form a lifestyle that complements pain medication. Tolerance is the need for an increased dosage of a drug to produce the same level of analgesia that previously existed.
Tolerance also occurs when a reduced effect is observed with constant dose.
Analgesic tolerance is not always evident during opio id treatment and is not addiction. When a once-fixed opioid dose is no longer effective, the above conditions should be reviewed to exclude pseudotolerance. Physical dependence can be described as the occurence of withdrawal syndromes after opioid use is stopped or quickly decreased without titration. Physical dependence can also occur if an antagonist is admisnistered. It is not addiction.