Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts a long time or keeps coming back for months or years.

• Chronic pain can happen because of a long-term disease or an injury that doesn’t heal

• Sometimes your nervous system becomes more sensitive to pain signals than usual

• You may have other symptoms such as feeling tired, problems sleeping, not feeling hungry, or not being interested in sex

• You may also have emotional symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or withdrawing from social activities

• Doctors can treat chronic pain with medicines, physical therapy, and treatments for emotional symptoms

Chronic pain can be caused by an ongoing problem such as:

• A long-lasting disorder such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia

• An injury that hasn't completely healed

Also, if your nerves are constantly sending pain signals, sometimes that causes long-term changes in how your nerves work. These changes can make you more sensitive to pain signals. This can make existing pain seem worse and sometimes cause pain from something that isn't usually painful.

Sometimes doctors don't know what causes someone's chronic pain.

You may have other symptoms along with the pain, such as:

• Tiredness

• Trouble sleeping

• Loss of appetite and weight

• Lack of interest in sex and other activities you enjoy

• Depression

• Anxiety

Chronic pain can make it hard to work and do normal daily activities.

If doctors find a cause for your pain, they treat the cause.

Doctors also treat chronic pain using:

• Pain medicines

• Physical therapy or occupational therapy—this may include stretches and exercises

• Relaxation techniques, hypnosis, biofeedback, and other behavioral and psychological therapies

Behavioral therapy may help you function better, even if it doesn’t lessen your pain. It may include gradually going out more socially and doing more physical activities. It may also include asking your family or co-workers to avoid things that keep you focused on the pain, such as constantly asking about your health or insisting you shouldn't do chores.