Chronic pain is generally believed to symbolize disease itself. It is made worse by environmental and psychological factors. Chronic pain persists for a longer phase of time than acute pain and is resilient to most medical treatments. Fiendishly, uselessly, pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may have been an initial mishap; a sprained back, a serious infection, from which the patient had long since recovered. There may be an ongoing cause of pain; arthritis, cancer, ear infection. But some patients suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage. Whatever the cause, chronic pain is real, unremitting, and demoralizing.
Pain medication is helpful in managing chronic pain, but the suitability of long-term use of medication needs to be considered in regard to the individual and the type of pain. Scientists are continuing to search for medications that take the pain away but also allow people to continue to function in their daily lives without side effects (Arthur, 2003).
About one in ten Americans has chronic pain. Chronic pain affects both sexes and while it is most common in middle age, it can occur at any age - from infancy to the elderly. Chronic pain can make simple movements hurt, disrupt sleep, and reduce energy. It can impair work, social, recreational, and household activities. People who have been injured in accidents may develop anxiety symptoms as well as pain. Chronic pain can have a negative impact on financial security, and can provoke alcohol or drug abuse (Arthur, 2003). It can disrupt marital and family relationships.
As no one can see pain, people who experience chronic pain often feel alone in their suffering. Some people find that the legitimacy of their pain is questioned.......
