Managing pain is important to your health  

Pain management is a very important medical field. Studies have shown that unrelieved pain can lead to other health problems.

Pain is more than "just" hurting. Pain affects your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health. Side effects of pain may include:

• Reduced ability to function
• Tiredness or lethargy
• Higher blood pressure
• Loss of appetite or even nausea
• Interrupted or uncomfortable sleep, or inablity to sleep at all
• Less enjoyment and more anxiety
• Depression, anxiety, or inability to concentrate on anything except pain
• Feeling a loss of control
• Less interaction with friends
• Less able to enjoy sex or affection
• A change in appearance
• Fear that you are a burden on family or other caregivers

Managing your pain is important to your quality of life.