Managing brain tumor pain can be difficult, but options include OTC and prescription pain relievers, cancer treatments, pain management programs, and self-help techniques like meditation. Surgery and chemotherapy can also help relieve pain.
Managing the pain of a brain tumor can be very difficult. This is especially true when the tumor grows and presses against brain tissue. Some options for coping with pain include over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, prescription pain relievers, and pain management programs. Cancer treatments that shrink or remove the tumor can also help. Additionally, self-help techniques can prove helpful in coping with discomfort.
One way to manage brain tumor pain is with pain relievers. If you’re dealing with an early stage brain tumor and less severe pain, you may find relief with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as the ones you would normally use for headaches. For example, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may prove helpful in such a case.
More severe pain, however, may require treatment with a prescription drug. For example, your doctor might prescribe a narcotic drug to address moderate to severe pain caused by a brain tumor. Some of the medications that a doctor may prescribe to deal with brain tumor pain are codeine, morphine, and oxycodone. Unfortunately, some of these drugs cause side effects and can be addictive. If your pain is severe, however, the benefits of taking such pain relievers may outweigh the associated risks.
Treatment for a brain tumor may also work to relieve the pain it causes. For example, if you get chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, it could do more than improve your prognosis. Shrinkage of the tumor may also result in less pain. When possible, surgical treatment to remove the tumor also usually provides relief. Such treatments help reduce or eliminate the pressure of the tumor on brain tissue. As a result of this decrease in pressure, you will likely experience relief from the associated pain.
You may also consider a pain management program when you are struggling with brain tumor pain. These programs typically take a combined approach to help patients control and live with their pain. Often, these programs combine physical therapy techniques with prescription drug treatment plans.
Self-help techniques, such as meditation and relaxation therapy, can also help you deal with the pain caused by a brain tumor. Their effectiveness, however, may depend on the severity of the discomfort you are experiencing. In some cases, such techniques may prove helpful on their own, but for severe pain, they may prove more effective when used in conjunction with traditional medicines and treatments.
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