Spanish Phrases for Describing Pain and Discomfort: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

This guide provides essential phrases and vocabulary to help medical professionals effectively communicate about pain and discomfort in Spanish.

1. Key Vocabulary for Describing Pain

Understanding basic vocabulary for pain and discomfort is the first step in communicating effectively:

• Dolor – Pain
• Molestia – Discomfort
• Agudo – Sharp
• Sordo – Dull
• Constante – Constant
• Intermitente – Intermittent
• Leve – Mild
• Moderado – Moderate
• Severo – Severe
• Ardor – Burning sensation

2. General Questions About Pain

These questions will help you assess the location, intensity, and nature of the patient’s pain:

1. ¿Dónde le duele?
   Where does it hurt?
2. ¿Cómo describiría su dolor?
   How would you describe your pain?
3. ¿El dolor es constante o va y viene?
   Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
4. En una escala del uno al diez, ¿cuánto le duele?
   On a scale of one to ten, how much does it hurt?
5. ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que tiene este dolor?
   How long have you had this pain?

3. Describing Types of Pain

Different types of pain can indicate different conditions. Here are phrases to help patients describe their experience:

1. ¿El dolor es agudo como un pinchazo?
   Is the pain sharp like a prick?
2. ¿Siente un dolor sordo y constante?
   Do you feel a dull, constant pain?
3. ¿Siente una sensación de ardor?
   Do you feel a burning sensation?
4. ¿El dolor es punzante o late?
   Is the pain throbbing or pulsing?
5. ¿Es un dolor que se extiende a otras partes del cuerpo?
   Is it a pain that radiates to other parts of your body?

4. Addressing Specific Areas of Discomfort

When pain is localized, use these phrases to discuss specific areas of the body:

1. ¿Le duele al respirar?
   Does it hurt when you breathe?
2. ¿Siente dolor en el pecho o en el abdomen?
   Do you feel pain in your chest or abdomen?
3. ¿Tiene dolor de cabeza constante?
   Do you have a constant headache?
4. ¿Le duele cuando mueve el brazo/la pierna?
   Does it hurt when you move your arm/leg?
5. ¿Hay dolor en la espalda o en la columna?
   Is there pain in your back or spine?

5. Discussing the Intensity of Pain

Understanding the intensity of pain is essential for assessing the urgency of the situation:

1. ¿El dolor es leve, moderado o severo?
   Is the pain mild, moderate, or severe?
2. ¿El dolor le impide realizar actividades cotidianas?
   Does the pain prevent you from doing daily activities?
3. ¿El dolor empeora por la noche o al hacer ejercicio?
   Does the pain get worse at night or when you exercise?
4. ¿Ha notado algún cambio en la intensidad del dolor?
   Have you noticed any change in the intensity of the pain?
5. ¿El dolor le despierta por la noche?
   Does the pain wake you up at night?

6. Reassuring the Patient About Their Pain

Providing reassurance can help reduce a patient’s anxiety about their discomfort:

1. Voy a hacer todo lo posible para aliviar su dolor.
   I will do everything possible to relieve your pain.
2. Estamos aquí para ayudarle a sentirse mejor.
   We are here to help you feel better.
3. Le vamos a dar un medicamento para controlar el dolor.
   We are going to give you medication to control the pain.
4. Su dolor es importante para nosotros y queremos que esté cómodo/a.
   Your pain is important to us, and we want you to be comfortable.
5. Por favor, hágamelo saber si el dolor empeora.
   Please let me know if the pain gets worse.

7. Explaining Treatment Options for Pain Relief

Helping patients understand their options for pain relief is crucial:

1. Voy a administrarle un analgésico para reducir el dolor.
   I am going to give you a painkiller to reduce the pain.
2. Le vamos a aplicar hielo para disminuir la inflamación.
   We are going to apply ice to reduce the swelling.
3. Puede tomar este medicamento cada 6 horas si el dolor persiste.
   You can take this medication every 6 hours if the pain persists.
4. La fisioterapia puede ayudar a aliviar su molestia.
   Physical therapy may help relieve your discomfort.
5. Necesitamos hacer una evaluación más completa para entender su dolor.
   We need to do a more thorough evaluation to understand your pain.

8. Asking About Pain Related to Specific Conditions

Some types of pain may relate to known conditions or injuries:

1. ¿Ha tenido este tipo de dolor antes?
   Have you had this type of pain before?
2. ¿Es este dolor similar al que tuvo después de su cirugía?
   Is this pain similar to the one you had after your surgery?
3. ¿El dolor comenzó después de una caída o un accidente?
   Did the pain start after a fall or an accident?
4. ¿Siente dolor después de comer?
   Do you feel pain after eating?
5. ¿El dolor empeora con ciertos movimientos o posturas?
   Does the pain get worse with certain movements or positions?

Conclusion

Effectively discussing pain and discomfort in Spanish is an essential skill for healthcare professionals working with Spanish-speaking patients. These phrases and questions can help you gain a better understanding of your patient’s condition, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatments. By practicing these phrases and showing empathy, you can create a more comfortable and reassuring environment for your patients.