What are the treatments for the condition?

For usual pain, such as that from injury, over-the-counter pain medications are often used. If the pain is unusual, such as that from migraine headaches or nerve pain, treatment of the cause is needed to relieve the pain. Antiseizure medications, such as carbamazepine, are often used to treat nerve pain, such as that from trigeminal neuralgia. Antimigraine drugs, such as sumatriptan, are often used to treat migraine headaches.

If an infection is present, antibiotics may be needed. If a serious injury occurs, surgery may be needed. If a tumor or cancer is the cause of pain, the provider may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

All medications have possible side effects. For instance, aspirin can cause stomach upset, allergic reactions, and ulcers. Antibiotics can also cause allergic reactions and stomach upset. Any surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, or allergic reactions to anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Pain medication can be increased, changed, or decreased if needed. Those with an injury often heal and need no further treatment or monitoring. Those with a tumor or cancer may need regular monitoring for years after treatment.

How is the condition monitored?

Any change or response to treatment can be reported to the healthcare provider. Other monitoring depends on the cause. For instance, those with a tooth cavity will need to have regular dental visits to watch for further cavities.