5 Common Chronic Pain Questions Answered

Information is out of date

Chronic pain is an issue that affects countless lives, yet it often remains misunderstood. If you're dealing with chronic pain, you're no stranger to the confusion and frustration it can bring. To gain a better grasp of this challenging condition, read on to learn more about five frequently asked questions about chronic pain.

1. What exactly is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than six months. It can also be pain that persists after the underlying cause has been addressed. This type of discomfort frequently occurs when your body's nerves continue to signal danger even after there is no longer any threat. Doctors can often diagnose and treat the underlying cause of persisting pain. However, even medical specialists cannot always pinpoint the source of such symptoms.

2. How do doctors diagnose chronic pain?

Chronic pain is diagnosed differently depending on its cause. X-rays may be used to diagnose injuries such as fractures. A biopsy may be required if your constant pain is caused by tumors or growths. DNA and C-reactive protein testing may be advised in cases of hereditary or autoimmune disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to detect potentially unpleasant anomalies in nerve-related pain.

However, identifying chronic pain becomes more difficult when there are no obvious physical causes. Doctors frequently depend on the patient's account of symptoms in such circumstances. You may be asked to score your pain on a scale of 0 to 10 and to describe your overall bodily symptoms.

3. What are the common causes of chronic pain?

While the exact origins of chronic pain can be elusive, several common causes include:

- Injury. This type of pain stems from a previous injury that has healed. Strangely, even after a full recovery, the nerves in the affected area continue to send pain signals to your brain. Why this happens isn't entirely clear, but some experts suggest that nerves become hypersensitive to movement.

- Disease. A wide range of health conditions can lead to chronic pain. Some of the most prevalent ones include rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and certain autoimmune disorders.

- Neurological issues. Damage to any part of your nervous system can result in chronic neuropathic pain. This type of pain can be extremely severe and often doesn't respond well to treatment.

- Unknown origins. Sometimes your symptoms can develop without any apparent injury, nerve problems, or underlying disease.

4. Are there different types of chronic pain?

Chronic pain is divided into two types: neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve injury or malfunction in your body. It can present as either chronic or episodic pain. Nociceptive pain, on the other hand, is caused by actual damage or potential harm to bodily components other than the nerves.

5. What are the available treatment options for chronic pain?

Medications are frequently used as the primary method of controlling chronic pain. Your pain management doctor will consult with you to identify which drugs are best for your specific situation. Communication with your healthcare professional is essential for determining the optimal treatment option.

If you're concerned about leaning too much on drugs, talk to your doctor about it. They can recommend alternate pain management treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, herbal medicines, physical therapy, and radiofrequency rhizotomy. Mind-body techniques such as biofeedback, meditation, and deep breathing can also help those who are suffering from chronic pain.

The bottom line 

Chronic pain is a complex and frustrating condition. Fortunately, you can make substantial and effective efforts toward controlling and relieving the burden of chronic pain in your life by better understanding its nature and pursuing appropriate treatment options.