Der Schmerz
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An expert committee of the German Chapter of the IASP has published five recommendations for the prevention and early treatment of low back pain. These refer to an early activation of the patient facilitated by scheduled pain medication and an interdisciplinary treatment including physiotherapy and psychotherapy if risk factors for chronicity are detected.
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The adequate use of opioids in the treatment of chronic cancer pain requires sound knowledge of selection criteria for the various opioids, the routes of administration, dosages, dosing schemes and possible side effects. Drug selection depends on the intensity of pain rather than on the specific pathophysiology. Mild to moderate pain can often be treated effectively by so-called "weak" opioids. ⋯ True dependence or psychological addiction rarely occurs in patients with chronic cancer pain. In most cases, progression of the underlying disease associated with increasing tissue damage and increasing pain is found. Fear of dependence and addiction often contributes to undertreatment of patients suffering from chronic cancer pain.