One hypothesis advanced is that initially we did not deal fairly combative when the pain is acute. Over time, the pain would cause chemical changes in the neural circuits of the brain and spinal cord. Thus, the nervous system "mimerait 'pain, even if the initial injury has healed. This is why some doctors and researchers believe that chronic pain is a disease in itself.
Other hypotheses, psychological suffering (experiences of abandonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, etc..) Could also be expressed in the form of pain. In fact, according to the definition of the International Association for the Study of Pain, pain is an experience not only physical but also emotional.
The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age.
In Canada, 29% of adults aged 35 to 54 years suffer from chronic pain, and 39% of those aged 55 and over 1. According to a compilation of data from several countries (Canada, France, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Scotland, Netherlands), chronic pain affect on average 36% of adults 2.
An increase of 70% of chronic pain is expected within 25 years because of aging of the population 3. Also, surgeries that we practice more and more, often leave patients with persistent pain. The removal of the breast and knee arthroscopy are good examples of common operations that often leave scars 4.
Women are more prone to chronic pain 5. We know that testosterone protects men from the pain. However, the relationship between estrogen and the pain is not yet clear. Many women see their pain increased during the days preceding menstruation and after menopause, periods characterized by lower estrogen.
Pain associated with chronic disease can not be treated properly and that causes pain: osteoarthritis, diabetes (can cause neuropathy), multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, trigeminal neuralgia, sickle cell anemia, etc..
A poorly relieved acute pain that persists beyond the normal period of recovery or lasting longer than six months: after an accident at work (eg back pain), surgery, an episode of shingles, etc..
Pain whose cause is poorly defined: migraine, fibromyalgia.
A phantom pain following an amputation. In this case, the pain comes from damage done to the nerves.
Pain maintained by the nervous system without apparent trigger, as is the case of regional pain syndrome complex.
Currently, chronic pain is not recognized as a disease in itself, by any medical authority. One of several Body Pain, Chronic Pain is also a severe form of Pain.
In the health community, there are two schools of thought. The first, more traditional, argues that this is only a symptom, such as acute pain. The second considers the chronic pain as a disease because of the neurochemical changes that occur in people with chronic pain.
We can compare the chronic pain in an alarm bell that no longer able to extinguish. Thus, the pain persists ... for nothing.
This disorder is growing. In fact, family physicians are increasingly arriving in their offices for patients afflicted with chronic pain. If the causes are sometimes recognizable, other times they are inexplicable. The health professionals are confronted with their own powerlessness.
Consider increasing chronic pain as a disease of the nervous system, one among main body pains But not all agree on its definition. But what is a chronic pain? In short, it is a pain that lasts longer than six months. This pain can be constant or intermittent, such as migraines. It may be linked to chronic diseases such as Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. These two diseases are also major causes of chronic pain.
Where is the harm?
The back is the part of the body most often affected by chronic pain. Then there are the legs, head, neck, knees and abdomen. It can be caused by injury to nerves, to muscles, joints or body.
It begins with an evil that we believe temporary. But now he settles permanently. Chronic Pain is a form of Body Pain.
Chronic pain is a disorder that affects more and more individuals are often left to themselves. Sometimes without apparent cause, such persistent pain faced by health professionals at their own impotence. The drugs are ineffective: they relieve only 10% to 20% of the pain.
Hence the importance of clinical pain, attached to hospitals, which offer a wide range of services ranging from psychology to physiotherapy. Because we can not be limited to physical harm ...
These severe pain poison all aspects of the lives of people who are victims, as can be seen from their testimony. They can break couples and friendships, ruin careers in addition to generating great mental distress.
