CHRONIC PAIN

Chronic pain is long-standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition. Chronic pain may be "on" and "off" or continuous. It may affect people to the point that they can't work, eat properly, take part in physical activity, or enjoy life.

There are many causes of chronic pain. It may have started from an illness or injury, from which you may have long since recovered from, but pain remained. Or there may be an ongoing cause of pain, such as arthritis or cancer. Many people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of illness.

Chronic pain differs from another type of pain called acute pain. Acute pain happens when you get hurt, such as experiencing a simple cut to your skin or a broken bone. It doesn’t last long, and it goes away after your body heals from whatever caused the pain. In contrast, chronic pain continues long after you recover from an injury or illness. Sometimes it even happens for no obvious reason.

Chronic pain can come in many different forms and appear across your body. Common types of chronic pain include- Arthritis, or joint pain, Back pain, Neck pain, Cancer pain near a tumor, Headaches, including migraines, Testicular pain, Lasting pain in scar tissue, Muscle pain all over, Neurogenic pain, from damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system.

The primary symptom is persistent pain that lasts weeks to years. People may experience- Pain areas: in the back, joints, mouth and face, muscles and bones, or neck. Pain types: can be caused by psychological factors. Sensory: pins and needles or sensitivity to pain. Psychological: depression or fear. Also common: anxiety, fatigue, headache, or sleep deprivation

Treatment depends on severity. It may include medication, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and surgery.