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Dr. George Boghozian's Web Site
Pain Control
What is pain?
Pain is your body's way of telling you that somet hing is wrong. While it is normal for your body to send pain signals when you are injured or ill, pain that lingers after an illness or injury is not normal. With chronic pain, the pain continues for weeks, months, or years after you recover. Pain that continues for 3 months or longer is considered chronic. Some people develop chronic pain out of the blue, with no injury or illness to trigger pain signals. Chronic pain can occur anywhere in your body and can range from mild and annoying to pain so severe that it interferes with your mood and ability to function.
Anyone can develop chronic pain. Although it is more common in older adults, it is not a part of normal aging. Older adultsare more likely to have long-term medical conditions linked to ongoing pain, such as diabetes or arthritis.
What causes chronic pain?
The cause of chronic pain is not clear. It is possible that certain brain neurotransmitters that usually suppress pain (e.g Endorphin and Serotonin) may not work properly. Chronic pain occurs when pain signals continue after you recover from an illness or injury. It can also develop without a known trigger. Common symptoms of chronic pain include:
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Mild to severe pain that does not go away in an expected amount of time.
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Pain that may be described as shooting, burning, aching, or electrical.
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Discomfort, soreness, tightness, or stiffness.
Over time, pain can lead to fatigue, depression, and withdrawal from social and physical activities. The emotional distress may make your pain worse. Your immune system may weaken, leading to frequent infections and illness. You may have so much pain that you become unable to go to work or school or to function in your daily life.
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How is chronic pain diagnosed and treated?
Chronic pain is usually diagnosed by your medical history. Your health professional will ask about your past illnesses and your overall health. He or she will also give you a physical exam. Before a diagnosis is made, tests may be done to rule out or identify other conditions that can cause pain. These tests may include a neurological exam, blood tests, and a mental health assessment. In most cases, test results are normal, making it difficult to know the exact cause of the pain. This does not mean that your pain is not real. Mild or occasional pain can be treated with drugless, non-invasive methods. Exercising, using correct body posture/body mechanic, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and trying complementary therapies such as chiropractic manipulation, massage and yoga may help reduce chronic pain. In addition, counseling may help you cope with the pain and with common reactions you might have to it such as frustration, fear, anger, depression, and anxiety.
Chronic pain often can be successfully managed so that your quality of life significantly improves. If the pain persists or becomes more severe, then pharmacotherapy and other more invasive methods can be used. These include use of nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prescription medications such as narcotics, acupuncture, injections of local anesthetic, and surgery.
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