Elderly Forced To Cope With Chronic Pain As Only 1% Of Studies Focus On Pain And

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Elderly Forced To Cope With Chronic Pain As Only 1% Of Studies Focus

On Pain And Aging

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=41355

While there is an abundance of studies related to pain, just 1% of

them concentrate on pain and aging. There is a clear need for more

investigators from many fields to further the efforts of current

researchers, according to a recent paper published in the journal

Pain Medicine.

Today, chronic pain in the elderly population is viewed by many as

normal. It is often communicated with patients that pain is a normal

part of aging and frequently not treated. Those practitioners that do

try to treat the pain are often unsuccessful because they do not have

the right tools. Out of this, the need for more research for pain and

aging has risen.

" Despite these growing efforts, chronic pain in the elderly is high, "

says author of the editorial Dr. Debra Weiner. " Many turn to a self-

management strategy taking fewer medications than younger people.

With more research, it is possible to find new ways to treat chronic

pain, bettering the lives of older adults. "

According to the editorial, between 2010 and 2030 it is estimated

that those ages 65 and older will increase by 75 percent, while those

under age 65 will increase by only 6.5 percent. With the number of

older adults increasing at such a high rate, it is essential to find

a way to treat their pain.

About Pain Medicine

Pain Medicine is a multi-disciplinary journal dedicated to the pain

clinician, teacher and researcher. It is the Official Journal of the

American Academy of Pain Medicine and of the Faculty of Pain Medicine

of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists.

Debra K. Weiner, M.D. has been doing research in the field of pain

and aging for over a decade. Dr. Weiner is a geriatrician,

rheumatologist, and acupuncturist. She is also a practitioner that

provides consultative care to older adults with chronic pain

conditions.

About the American Academy of Pain Medicine

The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is the medical specialty

society representing physicians practicing in the field of Pain

Medicine. As a medical specialty society, the Academy is involved in

education, training, advocacy, and research in the specialty of Pain

Medicine. The practice of Pain Medicine is multi-disciplinary in

approach, incorporating modalities from various specialties to ensure

the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the pain patient.

http://www.painmed.org