Know thy PAIN!

Pain can be classified as ACUTE or CHRONIC.¹ Knowing the difference between these types of pain allows your doctor to determine the best treatment for it.

ACUTE PAIN²

Happens suddenly
Has a specific cause
Sharp in quality
Usually resolves in less than 6 months
Ceases after its cause is addressed

CHRONIC PAIN ²

Lasts for more than 6 months
Persists even if the underlying injury
or cause had already healed
May occur even when there is no past
injury or apparent body damage

When acute pain resolves, you can return to doing your usual activities.²,³However, if pain is not treated appropriately, acute pain can become chronic.³

Chronic pain can feel like slow torture:
It can make work, exercise or even taking a bath and dressing yourself difficult.⁴ Whether acute or chronic, when out of control, pain can take an emotional toll on anyone.⁴ So the primary goal of treatment should be the return of an individual to one’s optimal function.¹

Pain is characterized by inflammation that may vary from one person to another and also in the same person at different times. ⁵ A successful treatment will result in less inflammation and thus less pain.⁵

References: 
1. MedicineNet. Pain (Acute and chronic). MedicineNet resource page. Available at: https://www.medicinenet.com/pain_acute_and_chronic/views.htm. Accessed 01 September 2021. 
2. Cleveland Clinic. Acute vs. chronic pain. Cleveland Clinic resource page. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12051-acute-vs-chronic-pain#:~:text=Acute%20 pain%20can%20be%20mild,lasts%20longer%20than%20six%20months. Accessed 01 September 2021. 
3. Southside Pain Specialists. What’s the difference between chronic and acute pain. Southside Pain Specialists resource page. Available at: https://www.southsidepainspecialists.com/whats-the-difference-between-chronic-and-acute-pain/. Accessed 01 September 2021. 
4. Integris Health. Chronic Pain Syndrome. Integris Health resource page. Available at: https://integrisok.com/services/medical/chronic-pain-syndrome Accessed 01 September 2021. 
5. Omoigui S. Med Hypotheses 2007;69:1169–1178

Know thy PAIN!

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