Millions of people worldwide deal with chronic pain every day. This issue is so prevalent in New Jersey that it outnumbers the cases of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined, which calls for an urgent need for awareness and understanding.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for three months or longer, even after the initial injury has technically healed. It can be so severe sometimes that it could affect a person’s mobility. Accidents or other health issues are often the root cause of this.
With the help of a west orange chronic pain specialist, you can find the best treatment plan. In this blog, you will learn some interesting facts about chronic pain.
Facts about chronic pain you need to know
It has physical and psychological elements
Chronic pain does not only have physical elements. It also affects you psychologically. Constant pain and suffering can lead to feelings of helplessness, anxiety, stress, and depression. These psychological aspects can worsen your physical health, leading to loss of sleep, concentration, etc.
Women can feel more pain than men
Men and women both can feel pain. However, women are likely to experience more pain than men. As men and women are built differently, psychology, hormonal changes, and genetics play an important role in pain perception. Compared to men, women have more nerves in their body. This also gives them more pain-coping skills than men.
It can have many causes
Chronic pain can be caused by a number of factors. Getting involved in an accident can lead to pain and suffering even after when the injury is technically healed. You may be surprised to know that poor posture is also one of the major causes of chronic pain. The way you sit or stand can have a significant impact on your body.
Obese people also deal with pain in their back and spine due to the excessive weight their body needs to bear. And most importantly, as your body ages, the joints may begin to wear out, which can lead to chronic pain.
Lower back pain is very common
Lower back pain is one of the most common problems in adults. About 84% have been reported to experience this. As mentioned earlier, obesity is one of the common reasons behind this. However, other factors that also lead to back pain include heavy lifting, trauma, and insufficient or no exercise.
Chronic pain can be isolating
People who suffer from chronic pain often experience the feeling of isolation. They might restrain themselves from participating in social events or activities they once enjoyed. It can be stressful and lead to depression. People dealing with chronic pain often seek online forums and communities for support. This can be very helpful.
However, in-person consultations and meetings can be more beneficial and are highly recommended. Therapists also advise such people to spend more time with their loved ones to help minimize the pain and suffering.
Smoking makes chronic pain worse
It is no surprise that smoking can adversely affect your lungs and increase the risk of cancer. However, one thing you might not know is that smoking can affect your perception of pain as well. The chemicals found in tobacco damage your blood vessels and reduce the blood flow to various parts of your body, affecting the nervous system.
This can lead to slower healing and increase the chances of future injury. Also, smokers need higher doses of medications for pain relief.
Visit a pain specialist today!
If you have been struggling with chronic pain, it is time to start a treatment. Living with chronic pain for too long can affect you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Well-trained professionals take a comprehensive approach where they assess your condition and provide tailored treatment plans suited to your needs. Visit a pain doctor near me today!