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February 10, 2012

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Chronic Pain Symptoms

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Pain

Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. Chronic pain typically has persisted for at least 3 months. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments. Chronic pain tends to interfere with the ability to perform activities of daily living and affects the quality of life.

Chronic pain may be related to a number of different medical conditions, previous trauma or injury. Chronic pain in older adults is often related to degenerative conditions that are caused by advancing age, including arthritis and wear and tear issues affecting the spine. These conditions commonly cause pain in the back, neck, hips, and knees.

Chronic pain may worsen in response to environmental and/or psychological factors.

There are a variety of treatment options for people with chronic pain. The goal of pain management is to provide symptom relief and improve an individual's level of functioning in daily activities. A number of types of medications have been used in the management of chronic pain. Interestingly, chronic pain can sometimes be relieved by stopping smoking and/or caffeine, reducing weight, exercising, optimizing nutrition and/or sleep. Chronic pain requires the diligent monitoring of caring healthcare providers.

Main Articles on Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain

Causes of Chronic Pain

Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing...learn more »
Arthritis Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...learn more »
Bursitis of the Knee Bursitis of the knee results when any of the three fluid-filled sacs (bursae) become inflamed due to injury or strain. Symptoms...learn more »
Cancer Pain Cancer pain results from the tumor pressing on nerves or invading bones or organs. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy,...learn more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that lasts 6 months or longer,...learn more »
Chronic Pain Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to...learn more »
Cluster Headaches The term cluster headache is a type of headache that recurs over a period of time. There are episodes that last one to three...learn more »
Depression Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...learn more »
Diabetic Neuropathy Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves; this is related to the blood glucose of the...learn more »
Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia, formerly known as fibrositis, causes chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints...learn more »
Headache Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches,...learn more »
Headaches in Children Kids get headaches and migraines too. Many adults with headaches started having them as kids, in fact, 20% of adult headache...learn more »
Hip Bursitis Bursitis of the hip results when the fluid-filled sac (bursa) near the hip becomes inflamed due to localized soft tissue trauma...learn more »
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD) The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The intestinal complications of...learn more »
Insomnia Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up...learn more »
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized...learn more »
Knee Pain The knee joint is composed of three compartments and ligaments which stabilize the joint. Causes of knee pain may include...learn more »
Lower Back Pain There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae,...learn more »
Migraine Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting,...learn more »
Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, reflected by...learn more »
Muscle Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome) Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with...learn more »
Neck Pain Neck pain (cervical pain) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain....learn more »
Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain is chronic pain resulting from injury to the nervous system. The injury can be to the central nervous system...learn more »
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also...learn more »
Pain Management: Musculoskeletal Pain Natural menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation that is not brought on by any type of medical treatment. For women...learn more »
Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is a rare disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, occurring when digestive enzymes are activated and begin...learn more »
Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness,...learn more »
Peripheral Vascular Disease Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and...learn more »
Pseudogout Pseudogout, a form of arthritis, results when deposits of crystals collect in and around the joints. Symptoms of pseudogout...learn more »
Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints,...learn more »
Reactive Arthritis Reactive arthritis is a chronic, systemic rheumatic disease characterized by three conditions, including conjunctivitis, joint...learn more »
Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs) Repetitive motion disorders (RMDs) are muscular conditions that result from repeated motions. Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger...learn more »
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »
Sciatica Sciatica pain, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically radiates from the low back to behind the thigh to below the...learn more »
Shoulder Bursitis Shoulder bursitis is inflammation of the shoulder bursa. Bursitis may be caused by injury, infection, or a rheumatic condition....learn more »
Spinal Headaches A spinal tap or an epidural block can cause a spinal headache. In these procedures, a needle is placed within the fluid-filled...learn more »
Stress Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,...learn more »
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint(s) that causes signs and symptoms...learn more »
Tension Headache A tension headache is a headache previously thought to be caused by contraction of the muscles in the back of the neck, on the...learn more »
Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain that originates in the face is referred to as trigeminal neuralgia. This pain may be caused by an injury, and infection in...learn more »
Uterine Fibroids (Benign Tumors of the Uterus) Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common...learn more »
Whiplash Whiplash is a common injury to a person's neck following a car accident (in most cases). Symptoms include: headache, neck pain,...learn more »