How difficult is it to treat chronic pain?

Chronic pain may be a silent, invisible unwellness that wrecks mayhem on over one hundred million individuals within the U.S.

 Dr. John Hong, a pain management specialist at Advocate benefactor Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill, says chronic pain has become a public health issue, as a lot of Americans suffer from it than polygenic disease, cancer and cardiopathy combined.

 It is common to expertise acute or delicate pain from time to time ensuing from surgery, a broken bone or perhaps a cut. whereas this sort of pain is fast and sharp, it lasts for simply a flash. On the alternative finish of the spectrum is chronic pain that lasts well once associate injury has well.

 “Chronic pain is pain that persists on the far side the standard time-frame for healing, generally over 2 to a few months,” says Dr. Hong. Wounded veterans, automotive accident victims and people World Health Organization have suffered from a violent trauma will have chronic pain.

 However, it can also occur in athletes and fibromyalgia patients. “Although most chronic pain develops once some variety of injury, like trauma or surgery, pain may develop with none clear cause,” says Dr. Hong.

So what exactly is chronic pain?

• Pain that continues beyond an expected period of healing
•  Pain that lingers even if you are no longer ill or injured 
• Pain that exists for no apparent reason 

Dr. Hong says chronic pain negatively impacts patients’ quality of life, as several suffer from depression, anxiety, low energy levels, inability to sleep well and concern of re-injury, which might hinder their ability to come to traditional work or leisure activities. 

 “Pain will limit movement, leading to reduced muscle and joint flexibility and strength. restricted quality may end up in impaired practicality, poignant associate degree individual’s ability to perform work and leisure activities. Pain conjointly causes psychological stress, which frequently leads to depression, anxiety and social isolation,” says Dr. Hong.

Why is it so hard to diagnose?

Dr. Hong says chronic pain is difficult, as everybody feels pain differently; but, once it starts to require a toll on a patient’s physical and emotional well-being, it’s time to hunt treatment.

 “Pain may be a subjectively rumored symptom. Therefore, no single imaging or work take a look at is wont to definitively diagnose this disorder,” says Hong. 

 Chronic pain ought to be diagnosed by a professional health care supplier supported a careful history and physical test and any necessary imaging and laboratory studies. 

 “Many patients get a pain management specialist too late once their symptoms have developed. a part of this could be a want to easily robust out their pain. Or, it should be that they need been unable to search out a professional pain specialist to deal with their wants,” says Dr. Hong.

What should I do if I suffer from chronic pain?

"Treating chronic pain is challenging because of the complex nature of pain and unique nature of each sufferer. Therefore, a customized approach is required for best results. The first step is to appropriately identify the source of pain. It is important to understand the physical, psychological and societal contributions to chronic pain for each suffer,” says Hong.

Treatment options include: 

•  Prescription and/or over-the-counter medications 
• Interventional techniques such as nerve blocks or electrical stimulation
•  Physical and occupational therapy
•  Relaxation techniques and coping skills 
• Complimentary alternative medicine such as massage, acupuncture and yoga

'I advise patients not to suffer in silence,” says Hong. “Although the ‘grin and bear it’ approach may work for some, inevitably with time, the harmful effects of the pain take their toll and it becomes harder and harder to reverse. Get appropriate care and get it fast!”