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18 Your Loved One%u2019s SymptomsUnderstanding Pain ControlUNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING PAINWhile not all people experience pain at the end of life, recognizing pain and treating it quickly is important.Pain is a feeling that hurts enough to make you uncomfortable. You may feel a little uncomfortable or very uncomfortable. Pain is whatever you say it is and exists or happens whenever you say it does. Pain can come from a physical, emotional, or spiritual problem.Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is usually severe or strong pain that lasts a short time and goes away when the injury is healed. Chronic pain can be mild, moderate, or severe and is usually present for a long period of time, even after the injury is healed.COMMUNICATING YOUR PAINIf you are feeling pain, you need to be able to describe it to those who are taking care of you. This may be your family or friends, your nurse, your doctor, or your caregiver. Some people find pain very hard to explain. But, those who are caring for you need to kno%u2022 Where do you feel your pain?%u2022 When does it begin?%u2022 What does it feel like?%u2022 How bad is it?%u2022 Does it prevent you from doing your daily activities?%u2022 What makes the pain better or worse?%u2022 What have you tried to take your pain away?EFFECTS OF PAINPain has different effects on different people. Don%u2019t hesitate to talk about your pain to those who can help you. You have a right to live as pain-free as possible. Relieving your pain means that you can continue to do the everyday things that are important to you. Remember only you know what you are feeling. Pain can affect your ability to sleep or your desire to eat. Emotionally, pain can cause feelings of fear, anger, depression, tearfulness, mood swings, irritability and/or suicidal feelings.Other symptoms that may happen with your pain include: Nausea or vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea, and/or sweating.Pain may also have spiritual effects and may cause you to ask:%u2022 %u201cWhy is this happening to me?%u201d%u2022 %u201cWhat is the purpose of this pain?%u201d%u2022 %u201cHow can I live if I am having pain?%u201d