Articles: pain-management-methods.
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Epidemiology is an essential clinical tool in designing and evaluating management and prevention strategies, and is particularly relevant to neuropathic pain. Despite its relevance to neuropathic pain however, there is a paucity of accurate information on its prevalence, distribution and determinants, for several reasons. In many ways, it is appropriate to study neuropathic pain merely as a symptom or a pain mechanism rather than a specific disease. ⋯ Older estimates of the prevalence of neuropathic pain (based on specific diagnoses) tend to be lower (1-2%) than newer estimates that are based on questionnaires examining classic symptoms (6-8%). Further methodological research is needed to clarify these. Associated poor general health is a feature of all neuropathic pain, similar to other severe chronic diseases.
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Smartphone applications (or apps) are becoming increasingly popular. The lack of regulation or guidance for health-related apps means that the validity and reliability of their content is unknown. We have conducted a review of available apps relating to the generic condition of pain. ⋯ Despite an increasing number of apps being released, the frequency of HCP involvement is not increasing. Pain apps appear to be able to promise pain relief without any concern for the effectiveness of the product, or for possible adverse effects of product use. In a population often desperate for a solution to distressing and debilitating pain conditions, there is considerable risk of individuals being misled.
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Morphine and other opioid drugs have played a major role in austere environment pain management since the Civil War, particularly in the military. While the pre-eminence and success of such medications is without question, their use is accompanied by significant side effects that are undesirable in the most advanced medical settings, and are potentially devastating in the field environment. ⋯ An increasing number of healthcare providers are seeing pain not merely as a symptom, but as a disease process. In addition to dramatically improving care for wounded service members, the evolution in the military's approach to pain is enhancing care for civilians.