Word: paines
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Unfortunately, the American system of end-of-life care is broken, and positive experiences with death are the exception rather than the rule. Statistics and clinical studies indicate that you will probably die alone, in pain and receiving aggressive medical treatment unjustified by likely benefits. A high-tech, high-cost, hospital death will most likely leave your family emotionally and literally impoverished...
Berde determined that Alex did indeed have reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a condition in which pain originates from an abnormality in the nerves. In Alex's case, it was due to hyperactivation of nerves running from the spinal cord to the limbs. Alex's legs became hypersensitive to the slightest touch, and they turned blue with cold, for no apparent reason. The cause of the disorder cannot always be determined. It often follows an injury, but Alex's case might have been triggered by a mysterious viral illness. Untreated, the condition can lead to loss of muscle and bone and even...
Because Alex's pain was so severe, Berde began by giving him an epidural that numbed his legs for several days, freeing him of pain for the first time in months. Next Alex began an intensive program of physical therapy and counseling. He learned self-hypnosis and imagery to help him cope with the pain, and Berde prescribed antidepressant medications--not because Alex was depressed but because the drugs have been found to quiet the nerve activity that causes neuropathic pain...
...leak from blood vessels throughout the body. This leads not only to dehydration and deterioration of vital organs but also to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which can result in shock. Indeed, many patients admitted to burn units are already in shock and unable to feel the pain that would be overwhelming if they were conscious...
...There is clearly a period at least early on where patients are not getting any type of pain relief," explains director Yurt. "It's too risky. You don't want to give them too much morphine. Otherwise they'll drop their blood pressure." Once the blood pressure stabilizes, however, doctors can begin dripping morphine directly into the veins, gradually increasing the dosage if the pain persists. Still, Yurt admits, "we can never relieve the pain completely...