Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people in the United States. Chronic pain can have many different causes, and can be difficult to treat. There are many different types of chronic pain, but the most common causes are arthritis and back injuries. Other causes include cancer, injuries such as broken bones or burns, diseases like fibromyalgia or lupus and more states Dr John Manzella.
Chronic Pain: Causes And Treatment
Chronic pain is a subjective experience, and so it can be difficult to pinpoint its exact causes. It’s estimated that between 10% and 20% of people in the United States suffer from chronic pain. The condition has many causes, including injury or illness, emotional stressors such as depression or anxiety, and sometimes genetic predisposition.
For patients who have been diagnosed with chronic pain by their doctors, there are a number of treatment options available. Some treatments may involve surgery to remove or repair damaged tissues or organs; others could include medications like opioids (like morphine). However these drugs also carry risks—they can be addictive if used improperly over long periods of time—so doctors should carefully monitor patients’ progress before prescribing them as a long-term solution for managing chronic pain symptoms. In addition to medication use therapy or physical therapy may also help reduce feelings of discomfort related directly caused by inflammation within surrounding areas where nerves run close together causing increased sensitivity levels when touched lightly A recent review published in JAMA Surgery showed promising results using corticosteroid injections into areas around joints where tendons attach muscles together at points called entheses This treatment method seems especially useful when combined with other therapies such as exercise programs designed specifically for those who suffer from arthritis
What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Chronic Pain?
In many cases, chronic pain is caused by more than one factor. The most common risk factors for developing chronic pain include:
- genetics (a family history of chronic pain)
- injury or trauma to the body that disrupts normal function of the nervous system, such as surgery or car accidents.
What Can I Do To Treat My Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain can be debilitating, and it’s important to seek treatment with a healthcare professional. You may have several options for treatment, including medication, physical therapy, and even surgery. In many cases, your doctor will work with you to find the best option for your particular chronic pain condition.
A common treatment method involves using prescription medications to manage symptoms of the disease. For example:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed as part of a treatment plan for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis because they can help reduce swelling and inflammation in joints that have been damaged by these diseases (1).
- Opioid pain relievers like morphine or codeine are effective at reducing severe or chronic pain associated with cancer (2).
Conclusion
Chronic pain is a serious and widespread issue, with an estimated 20-30% of the general population experiencing it in some form. It can be debilitating, but with proper treatment, you can handle your chronic pain and get back to living your life.
