Pain is a signal from your nervous system that something may be wrong — an unpleasant feeling such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn or ache. It may be sharp or dull, in one place or all over, and everyone feels it differently, even when the cause is the same.
Acute or chronic
Which kind it is depends on how long and how often you have it.
| Acute pain | Chronic pain | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | suddenly | may follow acute pain, or have no clear beginning |
| Lasts | until the cause is treated or healed | more than three months, or longer than healing should take — often most days or every day, for weeks, months or even years |
| Tells you | you may be injured, or have a problem to take care of | — |
Chronic pain can touch every part of daily life, including your mood and relationships. Treatment may not make it go away, but it can ease the symptoms.
Causes
Acute pain can become chronic. The original cause may have been an injury or infection, or the cause may be ongoing, such as arthritis or cancer. Sometimes there is no clear cause. Environmental and psychological factors — mood and stress among them — can make it worse.
Symptoms
Because people feel pain differently, two people with the same problem may have different symptoms. Chronic pain can occur anywhere in the body, and may bring fatigue, mood changes or trouble sleeping. Depression or stress can make it worse.
Who is more likely to have it
- Many older adults.
- Women, who report more chronic pain than men and are at greater risk for many pain conditions.
- People with certain conditions: headaches or migraines, cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, nerve damage and back problems.
Some people have two or more chronic pain conditions.
Diagnosis
If the cause of your pain is unknown, your health care provider may:
- ask about your medical history
- ask you to describe the pain and how it affects your life
- do a physical exam
- order blood tests or other medical tests
Treatment
Chronic pain is not always curable, but treatment can help:
- medicines, including pain relievers
- non-drug treatments, such as acupuncture and physical therapy
- sometimes surgery
Depending on the cause and your symptoms, your provider may also suggest lifestyle changes: improving your mental health, managing stress, reaching and keeping a healthy weight, and adding low-impact exercise.
Sources
Based on "Chronic Pain," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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