Some of the most common types of chronic pain include:
- Headache
- postoperative pain
- post traumatic pain
- low back pain
- cancer pain
- arthritis pain
- Neurogenic pain (pain caused by nerve damage)
- Psychogenic pain (pain not caused by disease, injury, or nerve damage)
According to the American Society of Pain Medicine, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. It is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States, affecting approximately 100 million Americans.
What causes chronic pain?
However, in some cases, people experience chronic pain without any prior injury. The exact cause of chronic pain without injury is unknown. Pain can sometimes be caused by an underlying health condition, such as:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome : Characterized by extreme, prolonged fatigue, often accompanied by pain
- Endometriosis : a painful disease that occurs when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus
- Fibromyalgia : widespread pain in bones and muscles
- Inflammatory bowel disease : a group of conditions that cause pain and chronic inflammation in the digestive tract
- Interstitial cystitis : a chronic disease characterized by bladder pressure and pain
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) : a condition that causes painful clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
- Vulvodynia: Chronic vulvar pain that occurs for no apparent reason
Who is at risk for chronic pain?
- Injuried
- have surgery
- as a woman
- overweight or obese
How is chronic pain treated?
The severity and frequency of chronic pain vary from person to person. Therefore, doctors develop a pain management plan that is specific to each individual. Your pain management plan will depend on your symptoms and any underlying health conditions. Medications, lifestyle therapies, or a combination of these methods can be used to treat your chronic pain.
Medications to Treat Chronic Pain
There are several types of medications that can help treat chronic pain. Here are some examples:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin (Bufferin) or ibuprofen (Advil).
- Opioid pain relievers, including morphine (MS Contin), codeine, and hydrocodone (Tussigon)
- Adjuvant analgesics, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants
Medical Procedures for Chronic Pain
Certain medical procedures can also relieve chronic pain. A few examples are:
- Electrical stimulation, which reduces pain by sending mild electric shocks to your muscles
- Nerve block, an injection that prevents nerves from sending pain signals to the brain
- Acupuncture, which involves gently pricking the skin with needles to relieve pain
- Surgery to correct damage that may not heal properly and may cause pain
Lifestyle Therapy for Chronic Pain
Additionally, various lifestyle therapies can help relieve chronic pain. Examples include:
- physical therapy
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
- art and music therapy
- pet therapy
- psychotherapy
- massage
- meditation
Coping with chronic pain
Physical pain is related to emotional pain, so chronic pain can increase your stress levels. Building emotional skills can help you cope with any stress associated with your condition. Here are some steps you can take to reduce stress:
Take care of your body: Eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can keep you healthy and reduce feelings of stress.
Continue to participate in your daily activities: You can boost your mood and reduce stress by participating in activities you enjoy and socializing with friends. Chronic pain can make it challenging to perform certain tasks. But isolating yourself can make you think more negatively about your condition and increase your sensitivity to pain.
Seek support: Friends, family, and support groups can lend a helping hand and provide comfort during difficult times. Whether you're having trouble with everyday tasks or just need a mood boost, a close friend or loved one can give you the support you need.
