Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and the number is increasing every year. In fact, in America alone, about 50 million people suffer from chronic pain. This presents an enormous problem because chronic pain Howell lowers the quality of life and can lead to death if it gets out of control.

Some are caused by injury or disease, others are caused by disorders such as fibromyalgia and depression, while some arise from unknown causes. No matter the cause, however, patients with chronic pain should know treatments are available.

How does chronic pain differ from acute pain?

Acute pain usually arises suddenly due to an injury or illness. It alerts the victim about the presence of physical harm or threat. It begins suddenly but diminishes quickly once the threat is removed or treated. In contrast, chronic pain lasts longer than 12 weeks and may continue for years without an identifiable cause. It can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to function normally daily.

What are the symptoms of chronic pain?

For anyone who experiences chronic pain, there may be physical and emotional signs of the condition. The following are some common physical symptoms:

• Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Changes in moods such as feeling depressed or anxious
• Muscle weakness, spasms, and cramping
• Stomach problems
• Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate
• Redness or tenderness around injuries and more

If pain from these conditions lasts longer than three to six months, it is considered chronic and requires immediate treatment.

What are the treatment options for chronic pain?

Although chronic pain can be debilitating and unrelenting, treatments are available to help tackle it head-on. These include;

Cognitive therapy– This kind of therapy is an effective way to manage chronic pain. In this therapy, patients are taught how to identify when they are experiencing pain and what they can do about it. Chronic pain is usually caused by several factors, including changes in the nervous system triggered by injury or illness, emotional distress, or even getting older. The brain can become accustomed to those changes and perceive them as things that need to be dealt with rather than temporary states. This makes the body more sensitive to triggers that may not have bothered someone before the change happened.

Cognitive Behavioral therapy helps patients become aware of that process. They learn how thoughts are affecting their bodies. They then teach them how to use relaxation techniques and other ways of tapping into their own minds as a source of relief for chronic pain. As part of this therapy, most patients will learn how to do meditation or mindfulness.

Opioid therapy-This is a form of drug-assisted treatment that requires an individualized approach. The dosage, frequency, and duration of opioid use must be tailored to each patient’s needs. While no definitive amount constitutes a successful treatment regimen, several factors come into play when determining whether opioids should be prescribed.

These include the type of pain the individual is experiencing, how severe the pain is, and whether the pain is refractory to other forms of treatment. Also, whether the patient has had any previous negative experiences with opioids, such as addiction, is an integral factor.

As with any chronic pain treatment option, it is important to discuss all relevant details with ReYou health experts before beginning the process.