Pain Management Terminology

noun a medicine used to relieve pain

adjective relating to or capable of relieving pain

• The doctor prescribed a potent analgesic to manage the patient's severe pain.
• I took an analgesic for my headache and it really helped.
• I popped an analgesic for my backache and now I feel much better.
• Music is my analgesic; it helps me forget my troubles and relax.

noun a narcotic alkaloid used in medicine as an analgesic and antitussive

• Codeine is a narcotic pain-reliever that is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain.
• My doctor prescribed me some codeine for my back pain.
• I heard some people use codeine to get high.
• She found solace in codeine, numbing both her physical and emotional pain.

noun a substance that causes irritation or inflammation in one part of the body in order to relieve pain or inflammation in another part

• The pharmacist recommended using a counterirritant cream to alleviate the muscle pain.
• My mom swears by this counterirritant gel for her arthritis.
• I always keep a tube of that counterirritant stuff in my gym bag.
• Laughter can act as a counterirritant to the stresses of everyday life.

noun a brand name for the drug meperidine, which is a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain

• The doctor prescribed Demerol to manage the patient's post-operative pain.
• I heard Demerol is really strong stuff for pain.
• I need some Demerol to knock me out.
• Demerol was like a magic potion that made all my worries disappear.

noun a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used in medicine for inducing sleep and relieving pain

adjective relating to or resembling opium

• The doctor prescribed an opiate to manage the patient's pain.
• I heard that opiate is really strong stuff, be careful with it.
• Some people abuse opiates to get high.
• Music is like an opiate for the soul, it can soothe and heal in ways nothing else can.

verb to make or become quiet; to silence or calm

adjective having the quality of being quiet or peaceful

• The soundproofing in the room was very effective at quietening outside noise.
• I tried to quieten the kids down by giving them some snacks.
• She told him to hush up and stop talking, but he wouldn't quieten.
• The storm eventually passed, quietening the raging winds and rain.

noun a feeling of reassurance and relaxation after a stressful situation

verb to ease or alleviate (a person's feelings of grief, pain, or anxiety)

• The medication helped relieve his chronic pain.
• I took a hot bath to relieve my sore muscles.
• I popped a pill to relieve my headache.
• Listening to music helps relieve my stress.

noun a type of drug that includes prescription pain relievers, synthetic opioids, and heroin

• The patient was prescribed an opioid for pain management after the surgery.
• The doctor gave me some opioids for my back pain.
• I heard some people are abusing opioids to get high.
• The opioid crisis has been a major concern for public health officials.