• Published on: Sep 23, 2021
  • 4 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Treating Chronic Pain Medications, Relieve Chronic Pain

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What Is Pain Management?

Pain management is all about easing the suffering caused by chronic, acute, and cancer pain. Pain management takes on many forms because there are so many factors that can cause or contribute to pain.

Pain management is an important aspect of healthcare and should always involve a doctor or other licensed provider. It differs from pain relief in the sense that pain relief does not necessarily refer to an entire spectrum of care whereas pain management does.

Pain management is the use of medication, therapeutic treatments, psychotherapy, or any other means to relieve pain during its various stages.

Pain management may take place in diverse clinical settings, include analgesic combination treatment with opioids and an adjuvant drug. The initial step of prescribing analgesics for acute pain is important because it can affect whether post-surgical patients will be successfully transitioned back to their pre-surgical functional level at discharge. A 2006 survey found that 43% of adults living with daily chronic pain feel neglected by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Pain awareness is generated by the vast network of nerves that permeate our bodies. When pain neurons are stimulated, they send signals to the brain which, in turn, will produce an effector response. The objective of pain management is to interrupt or inhibit these impulses before they reach their target.

The use of analgesics (pain-numbing medication) gives immediate relief for many types of pain and also lessens sensitivity so that minor stimuli are not felt as acutely as often or at all. Examples include topical analgesics like calamine lotion or alum; non-narcotic medications like acetaminophen; and narcotic medications like codeine (to be used under medical supervision).

Pain management is a risk management strategy used to combat the growing opioid epidemic. Relying on a single treatment option that only masks the pain puts more people at risk of addiction and makes it harder for them to function in everyday life. On the other hand, using more than one method of pain relief may have a synergistic effect - for instance, while medications may suppress acute pain, physical therapy can help patients find ways to avoid future injuries which would add to their chronic pain burden. Considering this, it's often suggested that clinicians coordinate care with individuals, so they have diverse means of managing their pain.

Pain management refers to the treatments available for different people experiencing chronic or acute pain. Pain management can involve medications, physical therapy, massage therapy, meditation, and more. Consult with your doctor on what treatments are best for you-or to explore these options on your own to better understand which treatment may be right for you!

Pain management is the use of medications and other treatments to control pain. Pain management is a medical approach used to provide relief from pain. Pain management may include measures such as anesthesia, neuropathic pain medications, physical therapy or other treatments. In some cases, people may be able to manage pain through activities such as yoga and meditation.

The goal of pain management is to allow a person who has constant painful symptoms the opportunity to achieve a high quality of life while still being able to function in their daily routine. Some individuals can maintain this status indefinitely while others experience periods where the efficacy of treatment wears off and certain chronic conditions start progressing again due to continued inflammation or damage in the body. The long-term prognosis depends on how severe the cause for sensory input was originally and other factors that have been enabled by treatment

It's important to distinguish the sensation of pain from its cause. Pain is a physical response that is sent by nerve cells to the brain when they are damaged, inflamed, or irritated. It acts as an indicator of findings of danger or harm to the body. The two main types of pain are "nociceptive" - telling you about potential injuries - and "neuropathic" feeling caused by disease rather than injury. Neuropathic pain can be difficult because it has so many different forms and underlying causes that have not been identified in most cases but may include post-shingles wounds or damage due to diabetes, chemotherapy or infections with HIV. Acute neuropathic pain often requires medications for relief including

Pain management is a strategy for controlling chronic pain. It involves finding and treating the underlying cause of the pain as well as preventing further injury to the area, using techniques such as physical therapy.

The first step in long-term pain management is always assessment and treatment of the underlying cause(s). For example, if we find that someone has bone cancer then we treat their cancer with surgery and chemotherapy more than we worry about treating their pain directly. Other common causes might be post-surgery recovery or nerve damage due to trauma or disease. The second step is prevention and education.

Pain management is the act of making it easier for you to get through pain or feel better during your pain. Whatever this might look like - such as sitting in a warm bath, taking a hot shower, meditating - there is no "right" way to manage pain except by what works best for YOU. It may sound silly, but what can work best for one person won't necessarily work best for another and that's okay.  Quality of life and happiness matter more than anything else and deserve our attention!

Pain management is a nurse's specialty that allows patients to recover with less discomfort and pain. They do this by using analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics that reduce or suppress the sensation of pain.

Pain Management nurses specifically focus on alleviating symptoms and enhancing recovery in interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The goal is for patients to be efficient at returning home within 24 hours from surgery so they can resume activities of daily living while achieving the improvements require after major surgery. Achieving these goals will dramatically improve quality of life while providing continuity of care from one provider to another between providers visits.

Pain management is a method of controlling or relieving pain, especially when there are no effective remedies. Pain management encompasses many different techniques, including analgesics (drugs that relieve pain) and adjunctive therapies, which include physical therapy and behavioral treatments. 

Cannabis has been an empirically recognized medicinal plant since time immemorial for its analgesic effects in reducing chronic neuropathic pain in otherwise treatment-resistant individuals. Previous studies have also suggested that the endocannabinoid system provides a promising therapeutic target in mitigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

There are many different techniques for effectively managing pain without the unwanted side effects of medications. The following are recommended, in order from less to most aggressive,

1. Acupuncture - acupuncture stimulates certain nerves that lessen or even stop nociception signals.

2. Trigger point therapy - massaging muscles may release trigger points that increase pressure on surrounding tissues, causing referral pain elsewhere in the body, i.e., headache or back pain

3. Yoga- this may include focusing on breathing exercises and poses that stretch tight muscles to help resolve chronic tension

4. Breathing exercises- If you suffer stress-induced headaches or other symptoms associated with overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), it might be time to try

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Insomnia in Teens and How to Manage It

Insomnia in Teens and How to Manage It

Sleep is essential for growing teens, yet many struggle to get enough of it. From school stress to social media scrolling, teenagers today face multiple challenges that affect their sleep. One of the most common sleep disorders among adolescents is insomnia—the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested.

In this blog, we’ll break down the causes, effects, and simple strategies to handle insomnia in teens and how to manage it naturally.

 

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get quality rest. Teens with insomnia often feel tired during the day, even if they’ve spent enough time in bed.

There are two main types:

  • Short-term insomnia: Lasts for a few days or weeks, often triggered by stress or changes in routine.
     

  • Chronic insomnia: Occurs at least three times a week for over three months.
     

 

Why Is Insomnia Common in Teens?

Teenagers go through many physical, emotional, and social changes. All these factors can disturb their sleep:

1. Hormonal Shifts

During puberty, the sleep hormone melatonin is released later at night. This shifts the body clock, making teens naturally want to sleep and wake up later.

2. Screen Time

Excessive use of phones, tablets, or laptops before bedtime exposes the brain to blue light, which delays melatonin release and interferes with sleep.

3. Academic Stress

Homework, exams, and performance pressure can cause anxiety and overthinking at night, preventing restful sleep.

4. Caffeine Intake

Energy drinks, tea, coffee, and cola consumed in the evening can make it difficult to fall asleep due to their stimulating effects.

5. Mental Health Issues

Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are often linked with poor sleep in teens.

 

Signs of Insomnia in Teenagers

  • Difficulty falling asleep at night
     

  • Waking up multiple times during the night
     

  • Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
     

  • Irritability or mood swings
     

  • Trouble focusing in school
     

  • Frequent headaches or stomach issues
     

  • Increased use of stimulants (coffee, energy drinks)
     

 

How Insomnia Affects Teens

Sleep deprivation can harm a teen's physical and mental health. Here are a few ways it affects their well-being:

  • Poor concentration in school
     

  • Weakened immunity
     

  • Increased risk of depression and anxiety
     

  • Weight gain due to hormonal imbalance
     

  • Risky behaviors due to impaired judgment
     

Teens who consistently sleep less than 7–8 hours are more likely to face emotional and academic challenges.

 

Natural Ways to Manage Insomnia in Teens

Thankfully, insomnia doesn’t always need medication. Many teens can improve their sleep with simple lifestyle changes.

1. Set a Regular Sleep Schedule

Encourage going to bed and waking up at the same time every day—even on weekends. This helps reset the body’s internal clock.

2. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

Avoid phones, TVs, and tablets at least 1 hour before bedtime. Use “night mode” or blue light filters if screen use is necessary.

3. Practice Relaxation Techniques

Deep breathing, meditation, gentle yoga, or reading a book before bed can calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep.

4. Watch Food and Drink

Avoid heavy meals, sugar, or caffeine in the evening. A light snack like warm milk, bananas, or almonds can promote better sleep.

5. Get Daily Exercise

Physical activity during the day can improve sleep quality—but avoid intense workouts right before bedtime.

6. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains, soft bedding, and remove distractions like phones or bright lights.

 

When to See a Doctor

If your teen’s insomnia lasts longer than 3 weeks or affects their daily life, school, or mood, it’s important to consult a doctor or sleep specialist. Underlying conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or depression might need professional care.

 

Lab Tests That May Help

If your teen complains of constant fatigue or disrupted sleep, you might consider lab tests to rule out medical reasons such as:

  • Thyroid Function Test (for hormonal imbalance)
     

  • Vitamin D & B12 Tests (deficiency can affect sleep)
     

  • Stress Hormone Panel (Cortisol)
     

  • Iron Levels (especially in girls)
     

These tests are available through diagnostic providers like Thyrocare on platforms like SecondMedic.

 

Helping Teens Build Healthy Sleep Habits

As a parent, here’s how you can support better sleep:

  • Encourage open conversations about school pressure or emotional issues.
     

  • Set boundaries for screen use, especially at night.
     

  • Make the home environment calm and supportive before bedtime.
     

  • Lead by example—follow healthy sleep habits yourself.
     

 

Quick Tips for Teens

  • Sleep 8–10 hours every night
     

  • Don’t study in bed
     

  • Use a sleep diary or app to track sleep patterns
     

  • Avoid naps longer than 30 minutes in the day
     

  • Try journaling to clear the mind before sleep
     

 

Conclusion

Teenage insomnia is more common than many people realize. Fortunately, with the right support, structure, and healthy routines, it can be managed without medication.

If your teen shows signs of poor sleep, don’t ignore it. Better sleep leads to better mood, focus, and health.

So, if you’re wondering how to support better sleep for your child, remember to understand insomnia in teens and how to manage it the natural way—with empathy, good habits, and expert care when needed.

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