Pain

What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself.

What increases the risk for back pain?
Smoking, ageing, a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, obesity, pregnancy and genetic factors are all risk factors for developing back pain.

Is Tramadol less effective than pethidine or morphine.
It was initially found to be less effective, but then it was dicovered that the recommended doses were too low.

Is it true that overdosing on painkillers can damage your liver?
Yes, it is. For this reason, there are usually strict instructions on recommended dosages for both prescription and over-the-counter painkillers.

What are the advantages of postoperative pain relief?
Postoperative pain relief is very important but unfortunately often neglected.

Is cancer hereditary?
Certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, do seem to run in families. The important thing is to have yourself checked regularly if a family member was diagnosed with cancer

What are survival chances?
Depending on the type of cancer and the stage in which it is found, chances of survival are generally very high – up to ninety percent.

What treatments are available?
Typically cancer is treated by means of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. (See 'Treatment of cancer' for more information)

Why do cells grow?
Cells divide and replicate themselves all the time. These cells contain our genes. About one in a million cells does not develop normally, but usually this is not a problem.

Can I have an active life after a transplant?
You could even compete in the Transplant Games to be held in July 2003 in France. National trials are being held in August 2002 in Cape Town.

Can opioids be taken orally
The low- and moderate efficacy opioids can be taken orally. Examples include codeine and tilidine.

What different types of painkillers do we find?
There are four different types, namely opioids, NSAIDs, Paracetamol and local anaesthetics.

Can painkillers be addictive?
Yes, they can, which is why doctors limit the painkillers people may take. Many people become addicted to painkillers which are available over the counter.

How long will pethidine effectively relieve pain?
Only for 2 - 3 hours, although many doctors prescribe pethidine 6 - 8 hourly. This leaves people in pain for more than half the time.

How can I prevent getting cancer?
There is much that you can do. Stop smoking, get out of the sun, eat fish, lots of fruit and vegetables...

What are early warning signs of cancer?
This is a difficult one to answer as there are so many different types of cancer of which quite a few have almost no warning signs.

What is cancer?
Cancer is not just one type of disease. Hippocrates gave the name to a collection of diseases in 400 B.C. They have one common characteristic, namely uncontrolled cell growth.

What type of cancers do we find?
Basically five types: Carcinomas, Sarcomas, Leukaemias, Lymphomas and Myelomas

Can I go on holiday if I am on haemodialysis?
If you are on haemodialysis, going on holidays will require planning. You can only visit areas where a renal unit is available.