Ken Follett, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of and chief of neurosurgery, was part of an Institute of Medicine committee that developed a recent report on chronic pain.
Chronic pain — pain that exceeds the normal healing time after injury or illness — affects one in three Americans and costs the nation between $560 billion and $635 billion each year.
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Ken Follett, M.D., Ph.D. |
The committee seeks to transform how the nation understands and approaches pain management and prevention.
Below Dr. Follett talks more about chronic pain.
What are some major causes of chronic pain?
There are many including arthritis, migraine and other headaches, cancer and diabetes.
What are some major health issues regarding chronic pain?
One major issue is the sheer magnitude of chronic pain. Approximately 116 million Americans are affected at huge financial and societal cost. Another issue is the under treatment of pain and disparities related to access to care.
What are some ways that chronic pain can be managed better?
Improved education among patients, health care professionals and the public about pain and pain management is needed. Patients need to learn strategies to treat their own pain and learn when to seek professional attention. Health care professionals struggle because pain can’t be measured, which makes it hard to determine the best treatments. Better assessment tools are needed. There also is a stigma attached to pain. Studies show many Americans — and this includes some health care professionals — think people who complain of pain are out to avoid work or get drugs and/or attention. Also, many people view pain medications as illicit drugs that should be avoided but the fact is, when used properly, such medications can be useful treatment for pain.
What are some steps patients can take to help deal with their own chronic pain?
Patients should set reasonable expectations about the course of pain and learn simple strategies such as use of over-the-counter medications. Chronic pain sufferers can set reasonable goals to manage the pain rather than cure it. People can realize that in most cases chronic pain doesn’t indicate harm to the body, so they should remain physically active.