Chronic Pain Information
Chronic pain is a pain syndrome which brings certain discomfort to the patient within a particular time interval. The length of this interval is a conditional value, which does not allow to identify the exact moment of when acute pain grows into chronic pain. Chronic pain is the end result for a number of physiological, psychological and social processes. These components of chronic pain interact and influence one another. Nociceptive stimulation leads to neurophysiological response reaction, which in turn may set off a number of psychological reactions, and psychological changes that arise as a result may influence the neurophysiological system of the body, either accelerating or decelerating nociceptive impulses. Social factors of the environment, such as stress, attention and care from people around and financial compensation of the expenses for the hospital, may significantly impact the level of intensity of painful sensations, perceived by the patient. Stress and trauma strongly influence the perception of pain and may aggravate painful sensations. Chronic pain was originally identified as being when pain lasts for 6 months and longer. Oftentimes, chronic type takes more time to resolve than the acute one.
Chronic Pain Symptoms
Any sort of painful sensation represents a symptom of an underlying condition which causes it. Therefore, when speaking about chronic pain symptoms, it needs to be specified what condition causes this discomfort. In other words, what stimulates this chronic condition? Chronic pain symptoms may vary significantly; so much so that they are diametrically opposed. Patients may not pay attention to pain whatsoever and perceive it as something natural and inevitable, continuing with ones normal, everyday activities. In many cases, patients with this syndrome may develop excessive dependence: they demand much attention, feeling like they are seriously ill; they require much rest and relieve themselves of certain responsibilities. It hinders the process of healing and delays it. There are, howeve,r completely opposite chronic pain symptoms: the patient'ss attention is constantly focused on his own pain; he constantly complains about his pain; the patient dramatizes his painful sensations and by any means possible demonstrates his pain (whether it is by his facial expressions or his moans and cries; he uses a great deal of various medicines; he begins to demand medical care more often; his family relationships change for the worse. The loved ones of such patients also experience a great deal of anxiety, depression and fear.
Chronic Pain Relief
In treating chronic pain, it is important to remember that chronic pain symptoms need to be treated first. Treating particular chronic pain symptoms will most likely take care of the overall condition of the person. However, it should not stop there, because there are residual emotional chronic pain symptoms that usually develop in the course of one's long-term illness. Thus, one's overall life perception needs to be improved in order to take care of the symptoms, physical, mental and emotional. Patients need to sleep better and relearn coping skills, as well as decrease their exposure to stress. It will help the patient to return to his regular functions and activity. The treatment will, of course, largely depend on the type of chronic pain the patient experiences, the cause of his chronic pain symptoms, and the disease or trauma and its severity. One can actually control painful sensations by doing physical exercises, setting ones mind on something other than discomfort, a balanced diet, standard painkilling medication and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture. Treatment will of course depend on one's attitude towards it and one's desire to heal.
