Preventing, evaluating, treating pain and rehabilitating those in pain is concentrated upon in the discipline of medicine called Pain Medicine, or Algiatry. Certain conditions could have pain accruing from causes like postoperative pain or pain associated with a malignancy; in others the pain itself could be the important problem like neuropathic pains or headaches. The specialists in Pain Medicine or Algiatrists have a broad-based approach that could range from pain as a primary problem to pain as a symptom. An Algiatrist could be the primary treating physician or at times a consultant. An Algiatrist could treat the patient directly, look at medication or rehabilitation, consult at hospitals, counsel, direct a team of experts or coordinate with other medical care givers.

Pain Medicine specialists have to come up with treatment plans that take into reckoning the patient’s culture and special needs depending on age.
Interpreting historical data, reviewing of previous lab reports, assessing behavioral, social, occupational, and avocational issues and talking to the patient are some evaluation techniques an Algiatrist will try out.

Medication for severe pain:

A combination of acetaminophen and narcotic can be prescribed for slightly severe pain-
1. Acetaminophen and codeine (Tylenol and Codeine, Capital with Codeine, Phenaphen and Codeine)
2. Acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Anexsia, Dolacet, Vicodin, Bancap HC, Co-Gesic, Anodynos-DHC, Lortab)
3. Acetaminophen and oxycodone (Roxicet, Percocet, , Roxilox, Endocet, Tylox)

The medications have a different effect depending on individual:

1. Tylenol with codeine is not stronger than a similar dose of ibuprofen. It has other side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and disorientation. For Codeine to be effective it has to be converted morphine by the body. Certain patients don’t have the enzyme necessary for the conversion. Codeine is not effective in such cases.
2. Vicodin is double the strength of as acetaminophen or any NSAID and rarely has side effects. It is effective and quite safe. But using it long could cause dependency, unless recommended by the doctor. Narcotics are not commonly addictive but they do have the potential in some cases to cause addiction.
3. Percocet is similar to Vicodin in safety as well as side effects. One of which is constipation.
A good way to use these medicines short-term would be to take a regular dose of NSAID (e.g.: ibuprofen) and take a Percocet or Vicodin as and when needed.

Avoid the following pain medicines:
Tylenol with codeine and oral Demerol should be avoided. These apart, there are other pain medications that ought to be avoided for some reasons.