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Chronic Pain


APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

Normally, everyone goes through minor pain. Like cutting hand, falling down, slipping, slapping, etc can hurt and it pains too but the duration of pain is for some days only. With treatment or without treatment, a person can be healed. Pain will start decreasing once the medicine starts showing its effectiveness. Acute pain lasts for less than 30days where as Subacute pain lasts for 6 months.But Chronic pain is far different from minor pain.



Chronic pain is a constellation of the syndrome which doesn't easily get healed from the medical approach. It can occur to months or years. Diagnostic of chronic pain is it may last three to six months or more. Without multidisciplinary approach and multiple organ system knowledge, even medical staffs can't help patient. Chronic pain is more common in women. Due to chronic pain, people are being disabled.

CAUSES
Many factors are involved in chronic pain. Aging can be also one cause because during aging bones are affected. Even joints are affected. And pain lasts longer. Many times, it doesn't work with medicine also. Due to nerve damage also, it can cause chronic pain. Some others factor may include:

  • Diseases (Cancer, ulcers, AIDS, Sclerosis, Rheumatoid, arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia),
  • Overweight Injury,
  • The habit of poor posture,
  • Carrying heavy objects,
  • Use of high heels,
  • Sleeping daily on a poor mattress. 
CLASSIFICATION
The International Classification of Disease (ICD-11) has addressed seven classifications of chronic pain which are listed as:

1. Chronic Primary Pain: It is three month of persistent pain. It occurs in one or more anatomical regions. It is hard to explain by another pain condition.

2. Chronic Cancer Pain: It is caused due to Cancer. The pain is due to treatment related to visceral which affects to muscle, skeleton resulting pain.

3. Chronic Posttraumatic  Pain: There are no infectious and pre-existing conditions. The pain lasts for 3 months after surgery.

4. Chronic Neuropathic Pain: When Somatosensory Nervous System is damaged, Chronic Neuropathic Pain occurs.

5. Chronic headache and Orofacial Pain: Pain occurs in head or face. The duration of pain can be 50% or more days over a 3 months period.

6. Chronic Visceral Pain: Person with Chronic Visceral Pain feels pain originating from an internal organ.

7. Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: this type of pain originates from bones, muscles, joints or connective tissue.


SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
During aging, sign and symptoms clearly occur but in early age, it can occur due to illness, disease or accidents. The sign and symptoms are listed as:


  • Person with chronic pain have pain lasting for several months,
  • He/she might not be responding to medicine,
  • Muscle, bones, can be affected,
  • Feeling of despair,
  • Unable to move body in normal way
  • Burning pain
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis of Chronic pain is performed under the classification circumstances. After the interview of a patient, as per the need and according to age, diagnosis is made. As pain is a personal experience, doctors have to rely on patient's description. The type of pain, he/she might be going through can be the clue for a doctor for the further treatment process.

TREATMENT
The main goal of treatment is to improve the condition of a person with chronic pain and to bring positive changes in daily life. Treatment can include:

Medication: Medicines like Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) helps to fight with inflammation. Opioids (potent pain killers), antidepressants, anti-seizure medications are also prescribed by a doctor as per the need.

Acupuncture: It is an alternative form of medicine. It is traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted in the body. People are doing Acupuncture to get relief from Chronic pain.

Electrical stimulation therapy: After any injury of spinal cord or strokes, electrical stimulation is applied to treat muscle spasms and pain. It helps in keeping muscles active and build strength.

Self-management: Managing pain can be really complex. some to do list which leads to chronic pain has to be reduced.

As per the doctor's prescription and suggestion, treatment has to be done for the betterment of your health.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.



References:

Acupunture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture


Chronic Pain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_pain


Chronic pain : Symtoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/spring11/articles/spring11pg5-6.html


Chronic Pain Syndrome
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/310834-overview


Do I have a Chronic Pain?
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/understanding-pain-management-chronic-pain#1

Electrical Stimulation
http://advanceaquaticpt.com/electric-stimulation/

Medication for chronic pain- Practical Pain Management
https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/treatments/medications/medications-chronic-pain

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