Uncontrolled chronic pain can negatively affect the endocrine system. Persistent pain can cause abnormally high or low levels of hormones, such as catecholamines, glucocorticoids and testosterone, potentially creating various negative health consequences.
Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, having a social life and taking care of yourself or others. It can lead to depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. This response creates a cycle that's difficult to break.
Tips on coping with chronic pain
Eating well, getting plenty of sleep and engaging in approved physical activity are all positive ways for you to handle your stress and pain. Talk to yourself constructively. Positive thinking is a powerful tool.
It can affect your ability to function at home and work. You may find it difficult to participate in social activities and hobbies, which could lead to decreased self-esteem. It is also common for people with chronic pain to have sleep disturbances, fatigue, trouble concentrating, decreased appetite, and mood changes.
Stress: People with chronic pain are exposed to more cortisol, a stress hormone, than others. This excess of cortisol exposure can affect the body negatively and lead to diabetes, cancer and heart problems.
Scientists have discovered that in chronic pain patients, the region of their brain with regulates emotions is constantly active, even when other regions are more active. This can wear out this area of the brain and mean that it is not functioning optimally, because it's not getting the rest it needs.
Chronic pain typically lasts for more than 3 months or beyond normal healing time. Causes of chronic pain include illnesses, musculoskeletal problems, injury, surgery and cancer. Sometimes there is no apparent cause. Chronic pain can affect mood, sleep and mental health, sometimes leading to anxiety or depression.
Acetaminophen is generally a safe option to try first for many types of pain, including chronic pain. Ask your health care provider for guidance about other medications to avoid while taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is not as effective as NSAIDs for the treatment of knee and hip pain related to osteoarthritis.
Pain isn't always curable.
Medical professionals don't have all the answers, nor do they always have cures. There is no magic pill or intervention that makes chronic pain disappear. Sadly, some people with chronic pain may never be pain free again.
Research published last month in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimated that more than 51 million people – more than 20% of US adults – have chronic pain and 17 million – almost 7% of adults – have high-impact chronic pain.
Chronic pain may be caused by certain health conditions. It is more common in people who are older. Treatment of chronic pain usually involves medicines and therapy. Medicines used for chronic pain include pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
Chronic pain can affect almost all parts of your life. Your sleep, mood, activity, and energy level can all be disrupted by pain. Being tired, depressed, and out of shape can make the pain worse and harder to cope with.
There is a range of non-surgical options for chronic pain that work pretty well. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, steroid injections, and a host of other valuable options. If these options fail to bring relief after months of trying, surgery may be best.
They shouldn't be used for more than a few days in a row, and the specified maximum daily dose shouldn't be exceeded. Painkillers can have side effects and – in rare cases – lead to complications. In order to avoid adverse effects, it is important to make sure you use them properly.
Some research suggests that when pain becomes a part of one's identity, it only accelerates the feedback loop between reactions and sensations, said Henrik Marschall, a Ph. D.
The Numerical Rating Pain Scale is a simple pain scale that grades pain levels from 0 (No pain), 1,2, and 3 (Mild), 4,5, and 6 (Moderate), 7,8, and 9 (Severe) to 10 (Worst Pain Possible).
The Pain – Fatigue Cycle
In addition, pain makes it hard to sleep and you wake up with increased pain. Poor sleep causes an increase in inflammation that makes your pain worse and then fatigue follows. Without quality sleep your threshold for pain tolerance is reduced, and it can even intensify whatever pain you have.
Chronic pain is far from just aching bones and sore muscles. It's a whole-body condition that takes a toll on your emotions and moods and can lead to significant mental health issues.
Acetaminophen is considered the safest OTC painkiller for long-term use because it's thought to have fewer side effects than the other options. Nevertheless, people respond differently to different medications. If the first one doesn't help, work with your doctor to find one that does.
Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment. Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation. But sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation.
If you no longer work due to the disabling impact of chronic pain, you may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension. You must have had the condition for at least two years and you must complete a detailed claim form and provide sufficient medical information to support your claim.
Describe the history of the pain, the location, how long it's been hurting and what factors seem to aggravate it, or help it get better, suggests Maixner. Share other treatments you've sought, such as acupuncture, massage and certain medications, he says.
People living with chronic pain are at heightened risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Chronic pain can affect sleep, increase stress levels and contribute to depression. An estimated 35% to 45% of people with chronic pain experience depression.