Pain

- Pain is often a hidden problem and is often poorly treated. We do not always recognize
that a person is in pain.
- It is important that we:
R- recognize
A- assess
T- treat
- Pain is what the person says hurts.
- According to International Social Studies (ISS):
Pain is the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or
potential tissue damage.
1. Pain is always unpleasant; therefore, in general, people do not like pain.
2. Emotions (psychological aspects) are important.
3. Pain is not always associated with visible tissue damage.

Case 1:

Mr. T is a 29 year old man with a fast growing mouth cancer that spread to his bones. He has
severe face pain. He is expected to die within 6 months and surgeons do not want to operate. He
is married with two children aged 11 and 8. Why should we treat his pain?

Case 2:

Mrs. G is a 54 years old woman who has just had a laparotomy for bowel obstruction. A medical
staff sees her on the surgical ward soon after the operation. She appears to be in pain. Why
should they treat her pain?