What is chronic pain

1. What is chronic pain? Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than three months. The pain can be there all the time or it can come and go. It can happen anywhere on your body. Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as work, social life, and taking care of yourself or others. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. This reaction creates a cycle that is difficult to break. What is the difference between chronic pain and other pain? Chronic pain is different from another type of pain called acute pain. Sharp pain occurs when you injure yourself, such as a simple cut to the skin or a broken bone. It doesn't last long and goes away once your body heals from the cause of the pain. In contrast, chronic pain persists long after recovery from an injury or illness. Sometimes it even happens for no apparent reason. Where do people experience chronic pain? Chronic pain can come in many forms and can occur anywhere in the body. Common types of chronic pain are: Arthritis or joint pain. back pain. neck pain. Cancer pain near the tumor. Headaches, including migraines. Pain in the testicles (orchialgia). Constant pain in the scar. Muscle pain everywhere (as in fibromyalgia). Neurogenic pain due to damage to nerves or other parts of the nervous system. How common is chronic pain? Chronic pain is a very common condition and one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. About 25% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain.