What is chronic pain?
If pain persists for more than three months, it is called chronic.
What reasons have chronic pain?
The causes of such pain is not always obvious. Sometimes it can be a chronic disease like diabetes or arthritis. There are times when doctors can not find the cause.
Some people with chronic pain will have to accept the fact that the cause of their pain does not get set. Such pain can be successfully treated without knowing its cause.
How does chronic pain?
The main symptom is, of course, the pain itself. But pain can be burning, numbness or tingling.
Because of chronic pain can be difficult for people to perform daily work, take a shower or get dressed. This often leads to depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Is there some sort of survey in such pain?
At the initial examination the doctor will look for the cause of pain. Are likely to do:
- Blood tests to look for signs of infection;
- X-rays or ultrasound to search for bone fractures, joint damage, malignancies;
- Nerve conduction test.
It may well be that the doctor is not going to do a lot of testing. It is believed that chronic pain lives on its own. That is, our brains simply misunderstands signals that enter it.
How to treat chronic pain?
Chronic pain treated with medication and special training. There is no universal treatment. In each case it is necessary to pick up an individual plan. Options include:
- Pain medication, sleeping pills, and improve mood;
- Special exercise;
- Conversations with a consultant in pain;
- psychotherapy;
- Massage;
- Injections of local anesthetics in the area of pain or associated nerves;
- acupuncture;
- Electronic devices for the suppression of pain;
- Surgery.
People with chronic pain need to be prepared for the different combinations of treatment. Sometimes you have to try a lot of options before you can find an effective.
In some cases, you need to realistically assess the effect of treatment. The pain may not go completely, but reduced to the extent that allows for an active lifestyle. This can be regarded as a good result.
You need to trust your doctor. Sometimes the doctor suggests the pain medication that is designed for other purposes. For example, older antidepressants when taken regularly in small doses can be effective for chronic pain. Or medicines for seizures are useful for pain associated with nerve damage.
Are there any home remedies that you can use yourself?
Yes, here are some activities that you can try:
- Use hot compresses or ice on the area of pain. Ask your doctor if it will hurt you, and experiment.
- Try different ways of relaxation.
- Stay active. Walking, swimming, gymnastics helps our body to increase the pain threshold. Sometimes it is enough to reduce the pain considerably.
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