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The Mystery of Chronic Pain: Why Does It Have Such a Global Impact?
Chronic pain, also known as chronic pain syndrome, is a kind of long-lasting pain that is often misunderstood as acute pain. The duration of chronic pain ranges from three months to several years, depending on the definition, and it is interpreted differently in diagnostic manuals such as DSM-5 and ICD-11.
Chronic pain is defined as "pain beyond the expected recovery period," meaning it no longer has medical biological value.
There are many types of pain, including cancer pain, post-surgical pain, musculoskeletal pain and visceral pain. Globally, the impact of chronic pain exceeds that of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Many studies have shown that the prevalence of chronic pain varies significantly between countries, ranging from 8% to 55.2%, indicating that this is a universal problem.
The American Medical Association estimates that the costs associated with chronic pain range from $56 billion to $635 billion.
Types of chronic pain
Chronic pain, as defined by the International Society of Pain (IASP), is pain that persists longer than expected and no longer has a biological purpose. The DSM-5 index defines "chronic" as pain that lasts for more than six months. This means that chronic pain encompasses complex pathophysiology and may involve psychosocial factors.
Chronic pain can be further broken down into a variety of types, including:
- Primary chronic pain
- Chronic Cancer Pain
- Chronic pain after surgery or trauma
- Neuropathic pain
- Headache and oral and facial pain
- visceral pain
- Musculoskeletal Pain
Etiology and pathophysiology
The development of chronic pain involves multiple pathophysiological and environmental factors. Including neuropathy of the central nervous system, inflammatory response after tissue damage, autoimmune diseases and psychological stress, etc. can cause chronic pain.
The causes of much chronic pain remain unknown, and the same pathological conditions do not always cause chronic pain.
In addition, some studies have pointed out that changes in neural structure occur with continued pain stimulation, which can be explained by neuroplasticity, which makes chronic pain often difficult to reverse once it is established.
Strategies for managing chronic pain
Management of chronic pain often requires interprofessional collaboration, including doctors, physical therapists, psychologists, etc. Non-opioid medications, behavioral therapies, and other alternative treatments can all help improve the quality of life for people with chronic pain.
Many studies have shown that initial treatment is usually based on non-opioid drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, while for some specific cases, the use of opioids may be considered , but this needs to be carried out under strict supervision.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, has a significant effect on improving quality of life and reducing the interference caused by pain.
Global epidemiology
According to different surveys and studies, 8% to 55% of the world's population is affected by chronic pain. It is estimated that more than 116 million people in the United States live with chronic pain, a figure that demonstrates that chronic pain is not just an individual problem, but a widespread social problem.
Many patients are unable to work or need to change jobs because of chronic pain, and a significant number do not receive adequate pain management.
Chronic pain has a profound impact on individuals and society. In addition to physical torture, patients may also face mental health challenges, such as depression and other emotional problems. This feeds into the cycle of chronic pain, leaving many people in agony.
Conclusion
The prevalence of chronic pain and its erosion of quality of life forces us to rethink the depth and breadth of this problem. As research into pain management continues globally, will we be able to find more effective treatments to address this common health challenge?
