Available analgesic methods for patients with esophageal cancer

For patients with esophageal cancer, especially those with advanced esophageal cancer and metastasis to the liver, lungs, bones, etc., pain is the most painful and unbearable symptom, which seriously interferes with the patient's life and rest. In order to help advanced patients spend their last days safely and comfortably, family members should cooperate with medical staff to take appropriate measures to relieve the patient's pain and improve their quality of life.

The following are the pain relief methods that can be used for patients with esophageal cancer:

1. Anti-tumor treatment: mainly includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, etc. Only by effectively controlling the development of the tumor can the pain be alleviated.

2. Suggestive analgesia: Pain relief is achieved by regulating the patient's mental and emotional state, such as communicating and talking with the patient more often, which can enhance their determination and confidence to overcome the disease, distract the patient's attention, and reduce pain. Placebos can also be used, such as water for injection and vitamins, and the patient can be told that they are "painkillers", which sometimes works well.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine analgesia: A Chinese medicine practitioner can acupuncture the patient's Ashi points, pain points, etc., and use some Chinese patent medicines and prescriptions to relieve pain, which can often be effective.

4. Western medicine analgesia: medication is used according to the degree of pain. For mild pain, diazepam, 654-2 and antipyretic analgesics can be used; for more severe pain, codeine, chlorpromazine, pethidine, morphine, etc. These drugs have certain toxic side effects and are addictive, so they must be administered at the prescribed time and dosage. The use of analgesics must be approved by the doctor.

Note: The causes of pain in esophageal cancer patients are complex and varied and should be treated differently. Pain helps doctors diagnose and judge the condition. Blind pain relief may mask and delay the condition. Therefore, family members should not blindly relieve pain. Strong painkillers should be used under the guidance of a doctor.