How to Control Pain in End Stage Cancer

Treating end-stage cancer pain involves alleviating both physical and mental discomfort. Cancer pain can trigger depression and other mental disorders as the patient copes with the physical symptoms of the disease. The National Cancer Institute indicates that depression affects 15% to 25% of cancer patients. Most treatments target palliative care - reducing or soothing the pain symptoms, which may also aid in easing the patient's state of mind.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult a doctor about pain medications, such as Ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen, to treat minor symptoms. Use of stronger medications can help control moderate to severe pain of end-stage cancer. Drugs such as morphine, Demerol, Dilaudid, fentanyl (duragesic patches) and methadone, are narcotic pain relievers and only available by prescription.

• 2

  Seek massage therapy to lessen physical stress and associated mental tension as tension increases pain, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. Targeted therapies such as myofascial, which uses long, stretching strokes to ease muscle tightness or Ayurveda that seeks to calm nerves and stimulate blood flow can aid in releasing tension and controlling pain.

• 3

  Opt for exercise such as Yoga to relax the body and mind. Guided imagery techniques are processes using all of the senses to create a relaxed and focused state, which can assist in pain management.

• 4

  Apply splints and braces to the affected areas of pain.