FAMILY FEATURES
W
hether it’s sharp or dull, off and on or constant,
pain can be a real pain at times. With the ability
to interrupt time with family, lessen productivity
at work and create many sleepless nights, under
standing the source of your pain is essential for relief.
Important
Questions
to Consider
When consulting your medical
professional about pain, he or
she will likely ask you a set
of questions similar to those
listed below. It is essential to
prepare before you visit the
doctor so you can help pin
point the pain for the best
diagnosis and treatment:
n Where
is the location of
the pain?
n When
did it start?
n What
kind of pain is it?
(Some descriptions include
burning, dull, sharp, etc.)
n Do
certain activities alleviate
or worsen the feeling?
n What
treatments have you
used? Have you experienced
any side effects?
The ache and its sources
As a source of discomfort, it may be hard to view pain in a positive light.
But this natural, protective tool is used by the body as an alert of present or
potential harm to tissues. While pain usually ceases once the stimulus has
been removed and the damage to tissue has healed, there
are many different factors involved for the amount of time the process takes.
One thing is certain — whether
it takes an hour or several months, relief is the main focus for those who
suffer from any type of pain.
According to the Institute
of Medicine of the National Academies, approximately 100 million
Americans deal with chronic pain, which is classified as discomfort lasting
six months or longer. While this type of pain can range from minor to
debilitating,
it can disrupt the social and physical aspects of life in a major way. Those
that suffer from this condition often experience headaches, back ches and
a
neck pain, though
it can aggravate other areas within the body. Due to its lengthy nature,
chronic pain can often lead to emotional issues, such as depression and
stress, which can exacerbate the healing process.
The best way to identify chronic pain is to be aware of its symptoms.
This pain is persistent and can often be described as aching, burning or
shooting. The area where the pain is located is often defined by patients as
sore, tight or stiff. Because this type of pain can affect so many areas of life,
many in the health community recommend a comprehensive mind and
body approach for its management. This can include medication, injections,
acupuncture and other holistic treatments.
Here are some of the common types of chronic pain and a few ways to
end the discomfort, so you can get back to enjoying life.
Back and neck pain
What causes nearly 40 percent of missed work days in the U.S. and is the
fifth most common cause for doctor visits? Running from the top of the
neck to the bottom of the spine, back pain is a common complaint among
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