Most people have experienced some form of pain at some point in their lives. People experience pain due to various reasons, and everyone has their unique experience. However, pain is common, and through modern interventions to pain management, individuals can live normally. Your Holmdel anesthesiology specialist treats various types of pain through a wide variety of techniques. Here is everything you need to know about pain management.
Types of pain
Specialists classify pain depending on its origin and there is a distinction between acute pain and chronic pain. Typically, your doctor will treat the following types of pain.
Acute pain
Acute pain sets in due to tissue damage and only lasts a short time. Usually, external injuries such as cuts, burns, or chemical burns can trigger acute pain. Therefore there is a direct relationship between the pain-triggering event and the pain.
Acute inflammation of internal organs, heart attack, tooth decay, labor, childbirth, and damage to the musculoskeletal system such as a herniated disc can cause sharp pain.
In addition, physical or mental stress in everyday life, such as prolonged standing, one-sided movements, or anxiety, can lead to acute back, joint, muscle, or headaches.
Treatment of acute pain
If you have acute pain, your doctor will first eliminate the cause, whereby a treatment program follows. For instance, if the pain is due to arthritis, your doctor may first prescribe medication or surgery depending on the severity of the condition. When the cause is treated, the symptoms will disappear. In most cases, you only need to wait a few hours or days alongside temporary medication until the severe pain has subsided.
Chronic pain
In chronic pain, the pain is no longer spontaneous and may develop into a long-term disorder. In short, chronic pain is acute pain repeated over time. The pain occurs due to certain diseases such as inflammatory joint disease that may require management or therapy intervention.
Chronic pain differs among individuals, such that some people may have chronic pain with no serious cause, such as a tension headache.
Chronic pain syndrome can be accompanied by other symptoms depending on the underlying disease. It can also arise when pain receptors are irritated, thereby sending pain signals to the brain. An underlying disease, emotional, social, and genetic factors can play a role in chronic pain.
Treatment of chronic pain
Chronic pain is a complex condition that requires a holistic approach to manage. Your doctor decides on the method to use after a comprehensive examination. Likewise, modern pain management interventions can alleviate chronic pain.
Keeping a pain diary
It would be best if you kept a pain diary for a few weeks to help your doctor about how you feel. It also helps in making a proper diagnosis. In addition, you can record when the pain symptoms occur and how intense they are.
Individuals can live normally with proper pain management strategies. If you experience any pain, contact the specialists at Gramercy Pain Center for assessment and treatment.
