Most of us experience aches and pains occasionally, however, sudden throbbing pain is a reaction of the nervous system that alerts you about a possible injury. When an injury happens, pain signals travel from the injured region to the spinal cord and to the brain.

Gradually pain will become less severe as the injury heals. But chronic pain is entirely different from typical pain or aches and with chronic pain, the body continues to send pain signals to the brain, even after an injury heals. And it lasts for several weeks to months. While chronic pain can also impede a person’s mobility and decrease flexibility, strength and endurance, thereby making it hard to accomplish daily tasks and routine activities.
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Chronic pain is defined as pain that exists for at least 12 weeks and the pain may feel sharp or dull causing a burning sensation in the affected regions. The pain may be constant or intermittent, coming and going without any obvious reason and it can develop in any part of the human body. Chronic pain can feel different in the several affected regions.

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Common Types Of Chronic Pain Include:

  • Headache
  • Postsurgical pain
  • Post-trauma pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Cancer pain
  • Arthritis pain
  • Neurogenic pain - caused by nerve damage
  • Psychogenic pain, which is not caused by any disease, injury, or nerve damage

As per reports, more than 1.5 billion people across the globe suffer from chronic pain.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is typically caused by an injury like a back sprain or strained muscle, where the pain starts after nerves become damaged. The nerve damage makes the pain very intense and prevails for a longer duration. In these situations, treating the underlying injury may not actually ease the chronic pain.

But in a few cases, people may also experience chronic pain without any prior injury. And the exact cause of chronic pain without any injury isn’t clear. Sometimes, pain may result from an underlying medical condition like:

Also Read: Fibromyalgia: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Risk Factors For Chronic Pain

Well, chronic pain can affect people of all ages, however, it’s commonly observed in older people. Other factors that can elevate the risk of developing chronic pain include:

  • Suffering an injury
  • Having surgery
  • Common in females than male
  • Overweight or obese

How Is Chronic Pain Treated?

The key aim of treatment is to ease pain and improve mobility, which helps a person get back to routine tasks without any discomfort. The intensity and frequency of chronic pain usually vary from person to person. So, your healthcare providers formulate a treatment plan based on the patient’s symptoms and underlying medical conditions.

Chronic pain can be very well managed with several over-the-counter OTC products, while it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and available treatment.
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Chronic Pain-Easing OTC Products Include:

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs are generally used to ease pain and reduce inflammation.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that can help with mild to moderate pain. This medication works by impeding the pain signals in the brain.

Topical Analgesics: These are creams, gels, or patches that can be applied directly to the skin over the painful region. They often contain ingredients like menthol, camphor, or capsaicin, which offer a cooling or warming sensation and help alleviate pain.

Pain Patches: Pain patches (lidocaine patches) are adhesive patches that comprise a local anaesthetic called lidocaine. They can be applied directly to the skin over the painful region to provide numbing effect and offer respite from pain.

Supplements: Certain dietary supplements may help with chronic joint and muscle pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used to support joint health and may help reduce pain and inflammation in some people. Although the effectiveness and action of supplements varies from person to person.

Hot/Cold Packs: Applying heat or cold to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation. Hot packs or heating pads can improve blood circulation and relax muscles, while cold packs or ice packs can numb the area and reduce swelling.

Also Read: Should You Use Heat Treatment Or Cold Compress To Treat An Injury?

Remember to read and follow the instructions given on the package of OTC products and if your chronic pain worsens or persists, then seek advice from your healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.