Additionally, the American Pain Society urges that pain be considered a fifth vital sign, along with blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and breathing rate. Pain can be controlled by oral medication, shots, patches and pumps. Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, multiple awakenings and early waking are common symptoms of depression. It is important to correlate sleep patterns with eating habits, pain control and depression with fatigue. The management of sleep disorders can be treated with medication, biofeedback and relaxation exercises.
Sexual function is an essential component of total patient care.
For men with prostate cancer, sexual decline or loss of erectile function is common. Castration-either by surgical or medical methods will results in a marked reduction of testosterone, which causes this problem. Various methods of help are available including vacuum constriction, injections, prosthetic penile implants and prescription medications such as Viagra. Similarly, women may be faced with both emotional and physical problems following breast cancer, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or pelvic dysfunction following gynecologic surgery which may necessitate solutions from the medical team. The way a patient feels about themself as a sexual being and the way they choose to express these feelings given a diminished physical capacity to gain and experience sexual pleasures is a critical part of the recovery process.