Definition - What does Chronic Pain mean?
Chronic Pain is discomfort experienced in any part of the body that lasts for more than 3 months. The type of pain can be intense or dull and may be continuous or intermittent. People experience chronic pain when they incur an injury or a health condition that causes the body to send pain signals to the brain well after the injury or condition has been overcome.
SureHire explains Chronic Pain
Chronic pain originates from health conditions such as arthritis, sinusitis, tendinitis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, cancer, or from injury sustained through overuse or surgery. Common side effects of chronic pain are insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and depression as well as diminished mobility, flexibility, and physical strength.
The treatment of chronic pain differs from patient to patient, but can involve pain relief medication, acupuncture, nerve block, or electrical stimulation. The types of medications used to treat pain include over the counter, prescription opioids, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. Of these medications, the opioid-based medications can be highly addictive. A person taking opioid medication for chronic pain can develop a resilience towards the effects of the drug which causes it to be less effective. This can lead to overdose or drug abuse if not managed correctly by a medical professional.
