Alzheimer’s sufferers and chronic pain
A world first Melbourne research study has been able to measure chronic pain felt by people with Alzheimer’s disease. Until now thousands of people suffer in silence without medication.
Scientists have previously believed that brain degeneration caused by Alzheimer’s meant those with the disease felt less or no pain compared to other elderly people. They have often received less pain medication as a result.
The new research undertaken at the Howard Florey Institute shows that patients feel pain but can’t or won’t necessarily give an accurate description of how or what they feel and hence do not receive pain relief.
The research, which has been published in the international journal Brain, and will be used to educate medical and other staff to monitor pain in dementia patients.