| Seniors often require pain control for chronic conditions, though
they may be responsive to lower doses than younger individuals.
While some elderly individuals report little pain from conditions
that other adults would find extremely painful, it is more usually
the case that their pain requires as much attention as the pain
of other adults. The undertreatment of pain in elderly and end-of-life
patients is far more common than overmedication.
Older individuals don't always face different issues than other
adults when choosing pain control treatments, but they may have
stronger reactions to certain treatments, or different needs because
of chronic health conditions. Always check medication to see if
it affects the senior population differently than the general population,
though they may not always do so.
Side effects may be pronounced in older patients, particularly
kidney or liver stress. It's normal for kidney and liver function
to decrease with age, and this may lead to medication buildup in
the body. In cases of minimal organ dysfunction, lower doses of
a medication are usually sufficient to avoid most undesirable side
effects. In cases of extreme organ compromise, certain medications
may be ruled out as treatments.
This likelihood of buildup increases the risk of side effects,
particularly oversedation from central nervous system depressant
medications, or any medication which may make you drowsy. An increased
risk of falls could result, and is a serious consideration in treating
elderly individuals experiencing bone loss or unsteadiness. Medication
toxicity can cause organ damage, contributing to existing heart,
kidney, or liver problems, among others.
Elderly individuals may want to be particularly cautious with medications
that list amnesia, tremors, delirium, or seizures as possible side
effects. This is especially the case if you have lost a lot of weight,
are at risk for these conditions, are taking medications that treat
these conditions, or other medications that list them as possible
side effects.
Individuals of any age who are in particularly frail health are
at increased risk for many side effects, and they and their caregivers
should be very cautious about introducing new medications.
The risk of drug interactions is also increased as medication may
be needed for multiple chronic conditions. Sometimes prescription
interactions can cause symptoms which mimic other chronic conditions
needing medical treatment. Always speak to your doctor about the
possibility that new symptoms may be a result of medication interactions.
Investigate switching one or the other of the offending medications,
if possible, to avoid having to take another prescription for side
effects from drug interactions.
The most common differences in treating the senior population are
lower starting doses or less frequent dosing schedules. More careful
physician monitoring may be necessary to ensure that toxicity or
undesirable side effects are not occuring.
There is no reason why seniors and end-of-life
patients should not receive adequate pain control, or have their
pain taken seriously. However, they may find it particularly advantageous
to try complementary medicine or holistic therapies as preventive
measures, to avoid the inevitable problems that result from having
to use analgesics on a daily basis.
References:
This document is provided for information only; it is not intended
to diagnose symptoms, prescribe treatment, or to substitute for
consultation with a physician. While we have made every effort to
ensure that this information is accurate and extensive, only your
doctor can tell you if a medication, or drug combination, is safe
for you. Information intended for US residents only. |
