What is chronic pain?
There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain tells you that your body is injured. It usually doesn’t last long. It will go away as your body heals. Chronic pain lasts much longer. Chronic pain can last for months or even years. Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities. And because pain lasts so long, people with chronic pain can also have low self-esteem, Depression, and angry. Sometimes these emotions make the pain even worse.
Chronic pain symptoms
Chronic pain can occur anywhere in the body. People with chronic pain may have the following types of pain:
- Headache
- Back-ache
- Cancer pain
- Athritis
- Pain due to nerve damage
The pain can be described as follows:
- A dull pain
- Hurt
- Stiffness
- Stinging
- Squeeze
- Throbbing
- Burn
- Take a shot
Sometimes people with chronic pain have other symptoms. These may include feeling tired, having trouble sleeping, or mood swings.
What causes chronic pain?
Sometimes, chronic pain is caused by an old injury or infection, or by disease. Sometimes there is no known cause for the pain.
Conditions that can trigger or cause chronic pain include:
- Infection
- Headache or a migraine
- The problem is back
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Nerve damage
- Previous surgery
Depression and stress tend to make pain worse, including chronic pain.
How is chronic pain diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history. Describing your pain will help your doctor find the right treatment for you. Tell them where the pain is, how severe it is, and how often it happens. Also talk about what makes the pain better or worse. Your doctor will do a physical exam and may run tests to help determine the cause of your pain.
They will also look at other health problems you may have (such as breathing problems or heart disease). These may prevent you from having certain types of therapy. Your doctor may also ask if you have any sleep, mood, or anxiety problems.
Can it be prevented or avoided?
In many cases, chronic pain cannot be prevented. Some conditions that cause it, such as cancer, can be avoided in different ways. But there’s often nothing you can do to control it if you have it.
Treatment
The goal of chronic pain treatment is to relieve pain and improve your ability to function. There are many treatments available. They usually won’t take all your pain away. But they can reduce your pain level and how often it occurs. Some of the more common treatments include:
Medicine
Medications used for chronic pain include pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Different medications help people with different types of pain. If your doctor recommends a over-the-counter pain relievers, read and follow the instructions on the box. Short-acting medications treat pain that comes and goes. Your doctor will usually recommend long-acting medications for ongoing pain relief.
Your doctor may recommend a prescription pain reliever. Be sure to follow their instructions on how to take the medication. Many prescription pain relievers are opiates. Opioids can be effective when taken as directed. But many people who abuse opioids become addicted. drug addiction is a very serious health problem that can lead to death.
Therapy
Several types of therapy can help ease your pain:
- Physical therapy– includes stretching and muscle-strengthening activities.
- Low impact exercise– may include walking, swimming or cycling.
- occupational therapy– teaches you how to pace yourself and perform normal tasks differently. This helps you relieve pain or avoid injuring yourself.
- behavioral therapyMethods to help you relax and reduce stress. These may include meditation, tai chi, or yoga.
Almost anything you do to relax or clear your mind of problems can help manage pain. Even if you’re taking pain medication, it’s a good idea to incorporate relaxing activities into your daily life. Relaxation can actually change the pain chemicals in the body. You may have to use stress reduction methods for several weeks before you notice a reduction in pain. Your doctor can give you advice on ways to reduce stress and relax.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Some people with chronic pain find benefits in Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). They involve treatments that are not part of mainstream medical care. Acupuncture and massage are examples of these treatments. Talk to your doctor before trying any CAM procedure.
Severe cases of chronic pain may require more invasive treatment. This may include electrical stimulation, nerve blockade, or surgery. There is often no cure for it. Talk to your doctor to learn how to best manage your pain.
Living with chronic pain
Lifestyle changes are an important part of the treatment. Regular sleep at night and no naps during the day helps. Stopping smoking also helps because the nicotine in cigarettes can make some medications less effective and reduce healing. Smokers also tend to have more pain than non-smokers.
Living with chronic pain can be very difficult. It is important to take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and try to get moderate exercise. Do the best you can to manage stress and depression. These can make your pain worse.
Learn about what is causing your pain. Understand your limits and work within them so you don’t cause yourself more pain. Be open to trying new ways to manage your pain.