Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a complex condition, the causes of which are not fully understood. Unlike acute pain, which alerts the patient to a possible injury, infection, or disease, chronic pain persists in the absence of evident damage. While the patient may have suffered a traumatic injury or disorder, in patients with CPS, pain persists even after the injury is healed or the disease is cured, continuing to interfere with the patient's quality of life, or even creating serious disability. Patients are considered to have CPS when they continue to suffer pain well beyond the expected time needed for healing, typically more than 6 months or 1 year.

Chronic pain syndrome is generally more common in older adults and statistically more common in women than men. Research shows that the syndrome may be associated with traumatic experience or stress that has the effect of amplifying pain intensity. Depression is also associated with chronic pain syndrome.

Types of Chronic Pain

There are many varieties of chronic pain, some much more common than others, and one patient may suffer from more than one type of pain. Patients often complain of chronic:

  • Headaches
  • Low back pain
  • Cancer-related pain
  • Arthritis pain (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis)
  • Neurogenic (nerve) pain
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Vulvodynia (vaginal pain)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Fibromyalgia

In some cases, where no cause of chronic pain can be detected, the pain may be diagnosed as psychogenic, meaning that it results from psychological or psychiatric disorders. Almost all types of pain can be exacerbated by emotional factors, however, and many effective treatments are designed to address the mind as well as the body.

Treatments for Chronic Pain Syndrome

There are a great many treatments for chronic pain syndrome. These include:

  • Medications, such as NSAIDs or antidepressants
  • Acupuncture or acupressure
  • Massage
  • Local electrical stimulation
  • Brain stimulation
  • Relaxation and meditation techniques
  • Psychotherapy
  • Biofeedback
  • Behavior modification

Placebos are also prescribed for chronic pain and research has shown that they are quite effective in certain circumstances, supporting the hypothesis of a mind/body connection.

Complications of Chronic Pain Syndrome

Although, at times, depression or post-traumatic stress may be considered one of the causes of CPS, being in chronic pain leads to emotional difficulty. Patients who experience chronic pain may not only feel unhappy, but fatigued,may lose their appetites or overeat, and may experience reduced libido. In some cases, they may abuse alcohol or drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. CPS can also interfere with relationships and employment. Since it is estimated that one-third of Americans experience some form of chronic pain, and as many as 50 million Americans are partially or totally disabled by it, research into the syndrome is urgently needed.

Research on Chronic Pain Syndrome

Research has shown that patients suffering from chronic pain have abnormally low levels of endorphins in their spinal fluid. Experiments conducted using acupuncture and electroacupuncture have demonstrated that endorphin levels in cerebrospinal fluid increase after such treatments, helping to relieve pain. Research studies and clinical trials are presently being conducted as scientists attempt to produce new analgesics and to discover painkilling properties in medications not usually used for pain relief. It is believed that neurological research will provide better treatments for chronic pain in the coming years.

What is the most painful chronic pain condition?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)-The burning pain of CRPS is continuous and intense, and often completely disproportionate to the severity of the original injury.

Is chronic pain psychological?

Some people also have chronic pain that's not tied to a direct physical cause. This doesn't mean that your pain isn't real. Oftentimes, this type of pain (psychogenic pain) is related to changes in your nervous system and other understandable emotional and psychological factors.

Is chronic pain a disability?

A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment (EEOC, 1992).

What is the strongest natural pain reliever?

You can increase your body's endorphin release by engaging in these activities:
  • Exercise. A moderately intense pace, whether you're walking fast or doing another form of aerobic activity, seems to be best for releasing endorphins.
  • Acupuncture. ...
  • Meditation. ...
  • Sex. ...
  • Playing music. ...
  • Laughter. ...
  • Ultraviolet light.

What happens when your body is in too much pain?

Chronic pain can cause changes in your brain and nervous system. These changes can cause the brain to continue to send out pain signals, even when there's no harm or damage. The signal pathway to the brain can become over sensitive meaning the signals are amplified.

What happens when chronic pain becomes too much?

If you notice new or worsening pain, you should seek a prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional. When pain becomes persistent, it can quickly begin to interfere with many aspects of life, creating a vicious cycle.

How do you prove chronic pain?

Doctors define chronic pain by how long it lasts. If you're still feeling pain 3 to 6 months after healing from an illness or injury, it's chronic. You may feel it all over your body or in a distinct area. You may also have chronic pain if you have certain health issues or if you're having cancer treatment.

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