The medical profession pays inadequate attention to needle phobia which affects 10% of people. This is mainly because those with needle phobia tend to avoid contact with the medical and dental profession. Ironically, many parents use the threat of injections as a tool to discipline their kids, which only goes to contribute to needle phobia.
Needle phobia can be put into three broad categories:
(1) The type of needle phobia characterized by the vasovagal reflex reaction, a frightening reaction which includes plunging blood pressure and (often) loss of consciousness. This reaction generally occurs only after puberty, and is more common in men than women.
(2) Needle phobia in children: It is very common for young children to be afraid of needles. Most children will simply "outgrow" their fear. Others will become adult needle phobics. Children who are needle phobic can be administered topical anesthesia gel. Since modern sharp needles produce a needle stick that is usually painless, topical anesthetics are rarely used. But this misses the point of using anesthesia in needle phobics. Part of the needle phobia reaction is often a great amplification of any pain that does occur. The reason for topical anesthesia is to totally eliminate the sensation of being stuck by a needle. Forcing needle phobic children to undergo needle procedures without the treatments described below will only increase the chances that they will become severe needle phobics and avoid medical care as adults. Dentists who specialize in treating children have training in administering nitrous oxide through a mask (the laughing gas.)
(3) Some needle phobics have an acute sensitivity to pain. Needle procedures that are painless to most people cause considerable physical pain to these needle phobics. Giving patients a valium type pill (courage pill) one hour before the procedure can make a huge difference. Patients should arrange transportation as it could be dangerous to drive that day after the pill. Needle phobics should be treated only by medical personnel who are experienced and skilled at injections or venipuncture (starting an IV or drawing blood). Relatively inexperienced nurses should gain their experience on non-needle-phobic patients.
Many needle phobics who were born prior to the mid-1960's when many medicines, such as penicillin, were given in large gauge needles due to the highly-viscous consistency of the liquid. Most substances given by injection today use very thin and very sharp needles that can hardly be felt by most people.
The rare fatal reactions to needle phobia should not deter anyone from getting needed medical attention, or even preventive medical procedures. Every needle phobic is far more likely to die from avoiding medical care than from a needle phobia reaction. A modern physician's office is well-equipped to deal with a typical needle phobia reaction and must have several people present who are well-trained in cardiovascular resuscitation in the rare event that it should become necessary.
Dr. Ola Kwatly, a pediatric dental specialist, is board certified in the USA and is practicing at the Emirates Hospital in Jumeirah.
|
