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Pain-prone Chronic pain better not independent therapy
Chronic pain has long become a widespread disease in Germany. Around 23 million Germans are affected. Experts criticize the inadequate care of the patients. However, those affected are advised not to handle their complaints on their own.
More than one in four Germans has chronic pain
"About 23 million Germans (28%) report chronic pain, 95% of it chronic pain, which are not caused by tumor diseases," writes the German Pain Society in a statement on the nationwide "Day of action against the pain" on 6 June. According to experts, however, there are large deficits in the nationwide care of pain patients in Germany. Before affected persons receive the correct diagnosis and adequate therapy, they often have a long ordeal. Nevertheless, the quick grip on painkillers is not a good solution.
More than every fourth German citizen suffers from chronic pain. Often, years pass until those affected receive adequate treatment. Nevertheless, experts advise against self-treatment. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) Patients usually have to wait a long time for treatment
"Unfortunately, pain patients on average have to complete an odyssey of more than six years, until they are finally presented to a pain therapist," said the chief physician at the Center for Palliative Medicine and Pediatric Pain Management at the Saarland University Hospital, Sven Gottschling, to the German Press Agency.
One of the reasons for this is that there are too few pain therapists. This is also because they are expected to treat only 300 patients per quarter.
"If you decide to become a registered pain surgeon, that almost means an economic total loss," said Gottschling.
Only about 1,000 doctors in Germany work as established pain therapists. "The framework conditions are totally bad - for the doctor and thus for the patient."
Redistribute for the well-being of the patients
The managing director of the German Pain Society, Thomas Isenberg, confirmed this: "We need another priority setting within the medical rewards system", according to the expert, according to dpa.
"The multimodal pain therapy is at the bottom. There has to be redistributed within the medical profession for the benefit of patients. "
In order to improve the quality of the acute pain treatment and to make the clinics comparable, the society demands that a pain indicator be introduced for hospitals in a similar way as in the area of hygiene.
Painkillers can damage organs
According to Gottschling, sufferers would have to wait six to nine months for an appointment with a pain therapist. "Then the chronification has progressed so far that you are running after the problems."
As a result, patients are prescribed prescriptions, which, according to Gottschling, are often "high-risk medications" that "seriously endanger patients"..
It is also problematic if sufferers resort to non-prescription painkillers from the pharmacy. Gottschling considers this a "complete disaster" because these substances could severely damage the organs.
Instead, the chief physician welcomes the professional use of morphine supplements or even with restrictions on cannabis.
However, US scientists have reported that opioid analgesics such as morphine could trigger chronic pain.
Treat pain alternatively
However, Gottschling sees deficits in the fight against pain not only in the financial and legal framework, but also in the education of physicians and insufficiently qualified personnel in hospitals and nursing homes.
"No one has to accept that he is in pain," says the doctor. "Of course we can not promise it to anyone, but most of us could do an excellent job with relatively simple means."
However, it is problematic that many do not even know what aids are available - this not only applies to those affected, but also to the physicians.
According to numerous experts, chronic pain is often treatable well without painkillers.
For example, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and yoga for back pain or relaxation techniques for severe headaches and migraines.
And Tai Chi also helps with chronic jokes. (Ad)