Chronic Pain
The term chronic pain means pain that is long lasting, usually for more than three months. In some cases, it is due to known diseases such arthritis. In other cases, the cause may not be known. The pain associated with chronic pain can be constant or it can be intermittent. In severe cases, it may affect a person so that they can no longer work, sleep properly, or have a good life.
In true
chronic pain, the pain signals can remain active for months or years at a time. As you might imagine, this can put a lot of stress on person's physical and emotional life.
Some of the more common causes of this type of pain are headaches,
backaches, joint pain, and pain from injury. There are other sources as well, including: sinus pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as pain suffered in the neck, back, shoulders, and legs. Generalized types of
muscle pain or
nerve pain may progress into chronic pain.
For some people, the emotional cost associated with chronic pain is as bad as the physical pain.
Anxiety, stress,
depression, fatigue and anger not only affect the person's mental health but may also hinder the body's ability to produce natural
painkillers. To make it worse, negative emotions can increase the amount of substances in the body that amplify the various sensations of pain. This can lead to a vicious cycle that seems to have no end. In severe cases, the body's basic defenses against illness and pain may be compromised. Studies suggest that unrelenting pain may actually suppress the body's immune system.
Causes of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. In many cases, it can be caused by trauma or by some illness. This can be true even if the trauma or illness happened long ago. In other cases, disease processes such as arthritis or cancer may be the cause. Oddly enough, some people have chronic pain and have had no past injuries or illness.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain symptoms include:
- Any pain that simply does not stop
- Pain can be stabbing, shooting, aching or burning
- Sensation of soreness, discomfort, tightness, or stiffness
Usually pain does not exist alone. Other issues associated with chronic pain include:
- Lack of sleep
- Fatigue
- Decreased activity
- Increased need for rest
- Possible weakened immune system
- Mood changes including fear, stress, depression, and anxiety
- Disability
Chronic Pain Treatment
The effective treatment of chronic pain often requires not only dealing with the physical pain but the psychological issues as well.
The reason for this is simple: chronic pain nearly always involves every aspect of the person's life. Effective treatment must include symptom relief as well as other types of emotional support. This is called a multidisciplinary approach. This approach can often provide all of the needed services and interventions required to manage pain. In most cases, pain management programs will be done as outpatient services. A pain management team may consist of several skilled professionals.
Patients can find pain programs at hospitals, pain clinics, and rehabilitation facilities.
Medications for Chronic Pain
- (OTC) Over-the-counter medications can be used to treat pain. These include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and aspirin.
- There are also prescription pain medications available for those who need stronger pain relief. These medications are normally reserved only for the more severe forms of pain. They have the potential for side effects as well as abuse.
- For some people, prescription antidepressants can be very helpful. The drugs can help the body to increase its supply of naturally serotonin. Serotonin is known as an important chemical in controlling pain messages to the brain.
