chronic pain

Chronic pain is medically defined as pain that has lasted 6 months or longer. This constant or intermittent pain has often outlived its purpose, as it does not help the body to prevent injury. It is often more difficult to treat than acute pain. Expert physician care is generally necessary to treat any pain that has become chronic. When opioids are used for prolonged periods drug tolerance, chemical dependency and even psychological addiction may occur. While drug tolerance and chemical dependency are common among opioid users, psychological addiction is rare.

Causes

Chronic pain is essentially caused by the bombardment of the central nervous system (CNS) with nociceptive impulses, which causes changes in the neural response. The pain subsequently provokes changes in the behaviour of the patient, and the development of fear-avoidance strategies. As a result, the patient may also become physically atrophied and deconditioned. However, it is important to remember that chronic pain is multifactorial, involving psychological, physical and social factors.

<< Previous

Word Browser

Next >>

angora (cat)
domestic shorthaired cat
the hedonistic imperative
edonkey2000
uckfield
russian blue
denying the antecedent
shadow of the thin man
gpa (disambiguation)
tucson international airport
yin yang

anthony berry
noel brookes
brandy norwood
basiliscus
jovian
song of the thin man
conjugate
alexej von jawlensky
latvian national independence movement (lnnk)
steve mcqueen
the thin man goes home

i love lucy
carol haney
bonfire
manuel i of portugal
lepidopterist
bill mollison
river axe, devon
brisance
2000 in the netherlands
sinad o'connor
river ant

dashiell hammett
international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
john moore (anarchist)
pinkerton national detective agency
euronat
nick and nora charles
john p. marquand
margaret booth
integrated sachs wolfe effect
tendon
mr. moto