In general, pain can be classified into two types: acute and chronic. Acute pain is temporary and lasts for about 2 to 3 months whereas chronic pain may last for many months. Examples of acute pain include soft tissue tear, ankle sprain, and sore throat, among others. Chronic pain is characterized by frequent and lasting pain that lasts for several months. Studies show that about 100 million people suffer from chronic pain related health disorders.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 to 6 months of time, causing both physical and emotional stress. Research shows that people who suffer from chronic pain are also victims of Chronic Pain Syndrome, which is characterized by associated symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, and depression. Chronic pain left untreated can lead to severe health problems that may take a toll on your overall well-being.
One can determine how to identify chronic pain through different types of pain, which may be constant or strike without warning. The excruciating pain can be in the form of a stinging pain, throbbing pain, burning pain, and so on. Patients suffering from chronic pain also feel stiffness in the muscles and the surrounding parts. They also undergo a series of other types of problems that include
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- Decreased appetite
- Muscle stiffness
- Nausea
- Lack of energy
- Depression
- Fatigue
- A migraine
Reasons for chronic pain and serious injuries it can lead to
Aging is one of the many factors that lead to chronic pain. Given below are some of the other factors that cause chronic pain
- Nerve compression
- Injury
- Joint dysfunction
- Poor posture
- Wearing high heels
- Overweight
- Improper sleep posture
- Lifting heavy objects
- Broken bones
- Infections
These are some of the common causes of chronic pain, which can be cured through treatment and therapies. There are also other underlying conditions related to chronic pain, which may require long-term treatment.
Different types of chronic diseases
There are many types of chronic diseases of which a few are described below.
- Alzheimer’s disease, is one of the common neurodegenerative disorders. It causes behavioral changes, memory loss, lack of judgment and other related health ailments. It is one of the severe chronic diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is a chronic lung disorder that affects people of all ages. Studies show that COPD accounts to about 95 percent of death in the US alone.
- Cancer also called a “Silent Killer” is one of the most malicious chronic diseases. The reason behind such a reputation is because cancer cannot be easily detected during the early stages. Some of the types of cancer include breast cancer, cervical cancer, bone cancer, and bladder cancer, among others.
- Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in the muscles. People diagnosed with Fibromyalgia experience pain in all the tender points in the body that range from shoulders to joints, tendons to ligaments, etc.
- Chronic kidney disease, also known as ?Chronic kidney failure? is a serious condition that results in kidney damage. High blood pressure, diabetes and abnormal kidney structure are some of the factors that lead to Chronic kidney disease.
- Epilepsy is one of the common chronic neurological disorders that affect people of all age groups. Unpredictable seizures, temporary confusion, loss of consciousness, etc. are some of the common symptoms.
- Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men. Especially, women in their mid-ages suffer from osteoporosis that results in weak and brittle bones.
A different mode of treatment
Chronic pain can be treated in a variety of ways that include both traditional and alternative treatments. In general, chronic pain is treated based on the severity of the condition. Given below are some of the common ways to treat chronic pain.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly prescribed for those suffering from severe chronic pain. Some of the drugs include Ansaid, Dolobid, Feldene, Ibuprofen, and Lodine among others.
- Muscle relaxants are also used to combat chronic diseases and other related symptoms. Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine), Metaxalone (Skelaxin) and Vanadom (Carisoprodol) are some of the top choices of muscle relaxants.
- Acupuncture helps in the stimulation of the body?s natural painkillers, endorphin. It also helps in controlling depression, migraine, nausea, stress, anxiety, and other related chronic pain symptoms.
- Massage therapy is one of the commonly used therapies to treat chronic illnesses. Deep tissue massage in particular not only helps relax the muscles but also aids in quick healing. It also helps in proper circulation of blood.
- Physical therapy proves fruitful in most cases of chronic disorders. This may include different types of procedures and treatments such as muscle strengthening exercises, ice/heat packs, pain relief exercises, ultrasound, and related treatments.
- A nerve block is another type of treatment that helps in reducing pain for those suffering from chronic diseases. In this treatment, the nerves that are responsible for transmitting pain messages to the brain are blocked through an injection. The injection numbs the nerve and provides relief from pain.
Final Thoughts
Chronic pain can be anything from a mild annoyance to a brutal disruption of your daily routine. No matter where yours falls on the scale, it’s vital that you see a doctor to get it checked out. It will get you one step closer on the road to feeling better and living healthier.
