Types and Treatment of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can come in many different types and appear across your body. This kind of pain is a very common condition, and one of the most common reasons why someone seeks medical care. Treatment for chronic pain has a variety of options including medications.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain may last for over three months. The pain can be there all the time, or it may come and go. It can happen anywhere in your body. The pain can interfere with your daily activities. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. This response creates a cycle that’s difficult to break.
Common Types of Chronic Pain and What Causes It
The body has three main types of chronic pain. There is not always a known cause of chronic pain, whereas other times, the pain is a lingering symptom of an injury or accident.
1. Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is a result of tissue injury or nerve damage. The damaged nerve fibers change the nerve function and send incorrect signals to the brain. These signals are sometimes faulty because of a malfunction in the way nerves transmit pain signals to the brain. Chronic pain occurs when these nerves are injured or diseased. Neuropathic pain is caused by:
- Infections
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Accidents
- Disease
- Surgery
- Arthritis
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Facial Nerve Problems
2. Nociceptive Pain
Nociceptive pain is caused by an injury, inflammation of a body part, or physical pressure. There are two types of nociceptive pain: somatic pain and visceral pain.
- Somatic Pain: This is a pain that originates in your arms, legs, face, muscles, tendons, and extrinsic areas of the body. Somatic pain is triggered by an acute injury or chronic diseases such as a cut, bruise, arthritis, or joint injuries.
- Visceral Pain: This pain is detected by nociceptors in internal organs that contain sensory nerves that transmit signals to the brain after an injury. Visceral pain is caused by conditions such as stomach infections, constipation, cancer, or internal bleeding.
How To Diagnose Chronic Pain?
Your healthcare provider may physically examine your body and order tests to look for the cause of the pain. The following tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Spinal fluid tests
- Reflex and balance tests
- Urine tests
- Nerve conduction studies to see if your nerves are reacting properly
- Electromyography to test muscle activity
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI
Treatment for Chronic Pain
Health care providers treat chronic pain in several ways. The approach depends on various factors including the type of pain you have and the cause of pain. Your age and overall health may also be the basis of the treatment. Your health care provider may recommend certain medications to relieve chronic pain including: