Chronic pain is something that affects millions of people every year. It can lower your quality of life and be detrimental to your physical and mental health. However, there are many different types of chronic pain that can range from mild to severe and might be consistent or sporadic depending on its cause. Everyone processes pain differently and this means that it might be hard to describe the type of pain you are experiencing to your medical professional. Furthermore, if you experience multiple different types of pain, it can be even harder to relay this information. This is why it is so important to comprehend the different classifications of chronic pain. Knowing how to describe the pain you are feeling will help your medical professional to properly diagnose and treat your symptoms. Below are some of the different classifications that you can use to better explain the pain you experience.

Acute Pain

If you find that your pain is only short-term and has an identifiable and specific cause, it is not considered chronic pain. Instead, it is known as acute pain and is typically caused by conditions such as tissue injury. It is different from chronic pain because it usually lasts for lesser than 6 months and tends to disappear once the cause has been identified and treated. This type of pain is often more intense and can be due to injuries such as fractures, open wounds and even burns.

Chronic Pain

Conversely, chronic pain typically persists more than 6 months, regardless of whether the injury or cause has been treated. In severe cases, chronic pain can affect patients for years and can take away the ability to function normally. Chronic pain is actually a very common condition, with an estimated 50 million adults suffering in the United States. Although chronic pain can be due to pre-existing injuries or conditions, there might not be an identifiable cause. However, with the right kind of pain management, chronic pain can be managed to provide a relatively normal life for patients. If it is not taken seriously, it can lead to chronic fatigue and reduced mobility. Some examples of chronic pain include serious migraines and headaches, lower back pain, and fibromyalgia pain.

Visceral Pain

Visceral pain is a sort of internal pain that is caused by the damage or injury sustained by your internal organs. It might be difficult to figure out exactly where the visceral pain is coming from because it can include different parts of your body. It is usually characterized by the sensations of cramping, aching or pressure on your organs. With visceral pain, it might also be accompanied with other symptoms like nausea and fluctuations in blood pressure and body temperature.

Neuropathic Pain

As the name suggests, neuropathic pain is caused by the damage to your brain or your nervous system. Due to nerve damage, you might experience random bursts of pain because of the pain signals that are sent to your brain. In such cases, you might experience pain even with sensations that are not meant to be painful. This kind of pain can be confusing and disorienting and is often described as freezing, shooting, or burning.

Contact the Head Pain Institute

If you need relief from pain, contact the Head Pain Institute.  Schedule an appointment with one of our medical professionals at 480-945-3629 or email us at info@headpaininstitute.com.