Chronic pain
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain, sometimes described as persistent pain, refers to pain which lasts for longer than 12 weeks, despite medication or treatment being prescribed. Usually, over time, pain settles, but in some cases it can go on for a long time, affecting mental well-being, and causing discomfort and distress to those experiencing it.
Chronic pain is relatively common, with estimates from a 2018 BMJ study putting prevalence in the UK at 43%.
What causes chronic pain?
Chronic pain can happen as a result of an injury, or after an operation. Normally the pain we feel after trauma goes away after a while, but in some cases the pain can be chronic. Nerves can be damaged after trauma, which results in pain being more intense, and lasting longer.
Those with certain conditions can also experience chronic pain, such as those with diabetes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel conditions, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and back pain.
Chronic pain can also occur without any obvious cause or trigger. This can be frustrating as medical tests do not always show the reason behind why you are experiencing the pain, or offer a clear source.
What are the symptoms of chronic pain?
Chronic pain refers to symptoms of pain lasting over 12 weeks, but you may also experience some of the following symptoms as a result of pain affecting your physical and emotional health:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of sleep
- Loss of libido
- Fatigue
- Irritability
How is chronic pain treated?
While it was once treated by bed rest, it is now known that the key to recovering from chronic pain is through exercise, and resuming normal activities. This is because resting for long periods causes your body to stiffen through inactivity. It is also not good for your mental health, as you can begin to feel lonely, and feelings of depression. Chronic pain is now typically managed through a combination of resuming regular activity, exercise, physical therapy, and pain medication.
Some may also choose to visit or be referred to a psychologist to help them cope with feelings of anxiety or depression.
Speak to your GP to come up with a treatment plan and for specialist referral if necessary. Many doctors can help with chronic pain, including pain management specialists, sports medicine doctors, rheumatologists, and neurologists.
COVID-19 and chronic pain: FAQs
By Dr Shankar Ramaswamy
2021-04-14
If you suffer from chronic pain, you may be wondering how your treatment will be impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We spoke to Dr Shankar Ramaswamy, a leading pain management specialist based in London to find out some of the answers to your FAQs about living with chronic pain and how coronavirus impacts it. See more
Coping with chronic illness using cognitive behavioural therapy
By Dr Morwenna Opie
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Living with a chronic pain condition can be tough on your mental wellbeing as well as taking its toll on you physically. Thankfully, cognitive behavioural therapies can be used to help you accept and adjust as best as you can to your condition. Read more from one of our expert clinical psychologists Dr Morwenna Opie about how it works. See more
Radiofrequency denervation to treat lower back pain
By Dr Giancarlo Camilleri
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Do you live with unbearable lower back pain? Do you have trouble moving your legs or walking? One of our pain management specialists Dr Giancarlo Camilleri explains radiofrequency denervation as a treatment option for chronic sufferers. See more
Is it easy to become addicted to opioid painkillers when living in chronic pain?
By Dr Oscar D’Agnone
2021-04-14
Pain is a common symptom that some people may have to live with every day. But medicating chronic pain in conditions such as arthritis, migraines and fibromyalgia, could be a slippery slope for some who may rely on these pain relievers, such as opioids, too much. Here, one of our top psychiatrist Dr Oscar D'Agnone explains how it's so easy to become addicted to painkillers. See more
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