What is pain?
Pain gives a nasty and unpleasant feeling. Yet “pain” can be very useful, it gives a warning. Pain can have various causes, such as wounds and fractures, but also, for example, inflammation. The feeling of pain can vary in severity for each child. Sometimes there is pain with no apparent cause. For example, stress and tension can cause abdominal pain. There is then no damage to the body due to inflammation or injury (for example a bruise), but this pain is just as bad and must also be treated as well as possible.
“There is no such thing as a wrong number! It is about the pain that your child is experiencing at that moment.”
How do I know if my child is in pain?
Pain can have a major effect on your child. For example, pain can make your child not sleep so well, eat less or not feel like playing. Children can also become irritable, sad or more quiet.
It is difficult for children younger than 4 years to indicate where they have pain and how bad the pain is. It is therefore important to pay attention to behavior and attitude. Moaning or being quieter than usual are sometimes signs of pain.
If children are between 4 and 8 years old, you can ask about pain. In the emergency department we use the face scale for this, in which the child indicates how he or she feels.
Children from 8 years old can generally express their pain on a number from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most pain imaginable and 0 being no pain. Your child may only indicate pain at certain times, for example when coughing or moving.
Important aspects of pain medication ?
Pain medication is part of your child’s treatment. The doctor judges if your child is still in pain after treatment in the emergency department. If so, the doctor will advise a pain relief. A broken bone, for example, can still be painful despite a plaster cast.
There are several painkillers, such as Paracetamol and Diclofenac. There is a maximum number that your child may have for each painkiller. Initially, your child will receive Paracetamol. In addition to Paracetamol, the doctor can recommend other painkillers. These painkillers have a different effect than Paracetamol. By using them side by side, they can enhance each other’s effect.
How to deliver the medication?
Pain medication comes in different forms.
One tablet: This can be taken with water, custard or yoghurt.
Some pain relievers are also available in oral solution or meltable tablet.
A suppository: this is an elongated white pill that melts after insertion through the buttocks (anus).
When your child is old enough to take the medicine with a drink or tablet, this is preferred because of the better effect. It is best for you to estimate what is most suitable for your child.
When should I give the medicines?
For the best effect of the painkillers, it is important that you give your child the medication at fixed times. This could be every 6 hours, or every 8 hours. You can also set an alarm as a reminder. Don’t wait for your child to report pain, it’s best to get ahead of the pain.
Are the medicines safe?
In the recommended dosage, these drugs can be safely given to children. Never give other or extra medication than advised by the doctor.
More information?
Questions about pain medication can always be submitted to your general practitioner or to the attending doctor at the outpatient clinic.
