Chronic Pain – What You Can Do
Whether you’ve been experiencing chronic pain for a while or are just looking to avoid it, there are a few things you can do to help. Among the most common are diet and exercise. These are both ways to treat chronic pain, as well as prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Symptoms of chronic pain
Symptoms of chronic pain are very distressing and can make it difficult to live a normal life. It can negatively impact your mood, your sleep, and your appetite. Chronic pain can also increase your risk of depression and anxiety. In fact, one in five adults in the United States suffers from chronic pain.
Chronic pain can be caused by an illness, injury, or a problem with a bone or joint. The pain can last for months or even years. Pain symptoms can also change from day to day. The pain can be felt in different areas of the body. Some people feel pain in their heads, while others experience pain in their stomachs. Pain can also be experienced in the jaw, joints, or muscles. Pain in the stomach is called stomachache. Pain in the jaw can be caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
Pain can be classified into two types: acute and chronic. Acute pain is short-term, usually lasting three months or less. Pain may be caused by trauma or an injury. Pain from an injury is usually felt when the nerves are damaged. A slight touch or movement may cause the injury to be worse. Pain from trauma is usually relieved when the underlying cause of the pain goes away.
Chronic pain is much more difficult to treat than acute pain. The nervous system is oversensitive and may be sending signals to the brain that are not supposed to be there. These signals can make the brain misinterpret signals from other parts of the body as pain. Chronic pain may also be caused by a disease, illness, or even a genetic condition.
Some conditions can cause chronic pain, such as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the body. This can cause joints to become inflamed and stiff. X-rays and MRIs can show if a bone is damaged. A doctor may also do tests to determine if a nerve is pinched or if there is an abnormal bone structure.
Other conditions can cause chronic pain, such as inflammatory bowel disease, which attacks the digestive tract. The inflammation can cause chronic pain and make the patient feel more tired. A doctor may prescribe medication to manage the pain. It can also be treated with physical therapy. Physical therapy is a form of treatment that uses exercise to help reduce pain and weakness. MRIs can also be used to find the source of chronic pain and determine if it is caused by bone or soft tissue damage.
Chronic pain can be a sign of a more serious health condition. Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks may occur if the pain is not treated. This can lead to a decreased quality of life and decreased productivity at work.
Treatments for chronic pain
Managing pain can be a challenging task. For patients with chronic pain, a combination of medical and nonpharmacologic treatments can help alleviate the symptoms. Pain can affect the way that patients function, as well as their quality of life. Pain can also contribute to depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. In addition, unrelieved chronic pain may lead to further health problems, such as poor sleep patterns and a higher risk of suicide.
Nonopioid pharmacologic treatments are the preferred therapy for chronic pain. These medications can be effective and safe. However, nonopioid medications may also have risks, especially in pregnant patients. Compared to opioids, they may be associated with fewer serious risks, but they also are associated with significant risks for addiction and substance use disorder.
Nonpharmacologic interventions for chronic pain include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise therapy. These interventions teach relaxation techniques, increase activity levels, and support patient coping strategies. These treatments have been shown to result in sustained improvements in pain and function. In addition to reducing pain, exercise therapy can also help to decrease hip and knee osteoarthritis pain. Other treatments include support groups and professional counseling.
The American Academy of Pain Medicine states that chronic pain affects more Americans than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It can also cause financial instability and interfere with relationships. Moreover, unrelieved pain can lead to new or worsened depression. It can also affect a patient’s quality of life, making it difficult to continue to work or go to school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on chronic pain in 2018. The report was based on an assessment by the Institute of Medicine (formerly the National Academy of Medicine). Several national initiatives have been developed from the report.
The National Pain Strategy was created under the oversight of the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee. The report recommends a population-based approach to pain management. CDC urges patients to consider all available treatments for chronic pain. Depending on the severity and duration of the pain, patients may need several different treatments. These treatments may include painkillers, antidepressants, and nonpharmacologic interventions. In addition to addressing pain, these treatments may also address stress and anxiety.
Among the most common pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are used to treat arthritis, muscle sprains, and menstrual cramps. Other medicines include anticonvulsants, injections, and skin medicines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be combined with opioid medications to reduce pain.
The National Pain Strategy also recommends the use of multimodal therapies, which combine exercise with psychologically-based approaches. This type of treatment can improve a patient’s pain and function, reduce the length of time the patient is disabled, and decrease the likelihood of recurrence of pain.
Common causes of chronic pain
Whether or not you’re familiar with it, chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. One study estimates that more than 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. The condition can affect the quality of life, productivity, and relationships.
Chronic pain can be caused by an injury, a disease, or degenerative changes in the body. Depending on the severity of the condition, pain can last from several months to several years. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain are arthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. Identifying the underlying cause of the pain will help you prioritize treatment options.
Pain is a result of electrical signals traveling from a particular part of the body to the brain. The brain then processes these signals and sends a message of pain to the body. Pain can also be caused by a damaged nervous system, or an immune system attacking healthy tissue.
Chronic pain may be caused by a variety of factors, including obesity, stress, injury, and a sedentary lifestyle. In general, the more active you are, the less likely you are to experience chronic pain. But being inactive can also increase your risk for chronic pain.
The most common chronic pain symptom is back pain. Back pain can be caused by a variety of injuries, including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, compression fractures, and degenerative disc disease. In addition to pain, there are a number of other symptoms associated with back pain. These include stiffness, weakness, and loss of mobility.
Chronic pain can be a challenge to treat. For example, medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be effective in reducing pain, but they can also have side effects. In addition, some medications can interact with other medications. So it’s important to ask your doctor about side effects and whether or not you should take a combination of medications. Fortunately, there are a number of options for treating chronic pain, including topical medications and dietary supplements.
Another common cause of chronic pain is an injury that did not heal properly. An example of this would be a workplace accident that caused severe trauma to your body. In addition, injuries can cause premature arthritis, which may result in joint pain for years to come. Other types of arthritis include gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Pain can also be caused by a variety of mental health issues. People with mental health issues may experience chronic pain, as well as anxiety and depression. Symptoms of these disorders may include gastrointestinal pain, sleep disorders, and mood swings. Taking antidepressants can help to relieve the pain associated with these disorders.
Chronic pain can also be a result of a congenital condition. For example, a child may develop chronic pain due to a condition known as Complex Reflex Sympathetic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS affects muscles, skin, and bones, and is caused by dysfunction in the neurological system.
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