Chronic Pain
Overview
Chronic pain is an uncomfortable sensation, that arises gradually, and persists over long periods of time, usually resistant to medical treatments. The pain can be of any origin, some of the origins are listed below:
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Bone pain
- Neuropathic (nerve) pain
- Visceral pain (from the internal organs)
Causes
The list of causes of this type of pain is a very long one. Some of the more common causes are listed below:
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Headaches
- Backaches
- Injuries
- Sinus pain
- Cancer
- Diabetes
Symptoms
This type of pain is a symptom of some underlying disease, but the pain itself can lead to some other symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of interest
Diagnosis
Pain is a physical symptom, and some of the following tests and imaging techniques can help diagnose the cause for diagnosing the underlying cause of the chronic pain:
- CBC
- UCE
- LFTs
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT scan
Treatment
Treating chronic pain often requires lifelong administration of pain medication. Some of the following drugs are used to manage this pain:
- Opioids
- NSAIDs
- Acetaminophen
