Chronic Pain: What You Can Do About It

CHRONIC PAIN IS REAL. That is one of the most important things for you to know right from the start. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic pain is the most common cause for seeking long-term disability. Chronic pain is also a common cause of lost work days in America and most western countries. In fact, 50 million people in America alone suffer with chronic pain and 700 million work days are lost due to chronic pain. Chronic pain makes even small everyday tasks such as getting dressed or picking up a child difficult, if not impossible.

What is chronic pain? Pain that continues for weeks? Months? Years? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reminds us that it can be all of these things. There may have been an acute or initial reason for the pain to have started such as: a disease process, an accident, surgery or even an infection that resulted in damaged nerves. The Mayo Clinic states that chronic pain can also exist for no identifiable reason. This is called an idiopathic process.

Some common causes of chronic pain are: cancer, arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, peripheral neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome to name only a few.

Other problems that can worsen chronic pain are: being overweight, smoking, emotional stress and being over the age of 55.

Chronic pain is an illness unto itself. It has a spiraling effect on your overall well being. It can rob you of sleep causing increased fatigue. The fatigue that was probably already there is worsened and in turn increases the pain. It can be quite a conundrum. It can also lead to depression, irritability, anxiety, fear, increased stress, a weakened immune system and ultimately disability. Yes, chronic pain is very real!!

What can you do? There are many options for treating chronic pain. You can choose the medical route or the alternative route, or both. The best thing to do is to explore and educate yourself on what is available. After all, who is better to choose than you, what is best for you? Keep an open mind and be persistent in finding the best solution for you. It's your life. You decide what is best for it.

First and foremost, it is vital to make sure you get adequate rest. You need at least 6-8 hours of sleep each and every night. You may require more if you suffer from increased fatigue. You also need to plan your work or your daily activities to include time for frequent breaks or rest periods. With some adjustments and organization it's amazing how much easier tasks can become.

We have all heard the phrase 'you are what you eat'. Well, it is no less true in dealing with chronic pain. Nutrition is a major factor. Are you eating a lot of 'junk food'? This may very well be affecting your pain. Try eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and leaving off the junk. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much impact this has on the way you feel. If you are overweight, commit to reaching an optimal weight in a healthy way. Don't opt for crash diets; they will only worsen your chronic pain. Work with your physician, alternative health care provider, diet coach, support group, etc. to establish the best plan for you. You can do it and it WILL make a difference.

We all hear that we should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day. WHY? Well, if you don't know it already, your body is made up of 60-80% water including the fluids in your bones, joints, blood, tissues, etc. Those 6-8 glasses need to be good pure water and not coffee, soda, juice, milk, etc. Your body needs this good, pure water to help get rid of all the toxins we are exposed to everyday. Adequate fluids are necessary to help keep your joints lubricated. This is especially important if you suffer with arthritis.

Chronic pain is a constant battle. You have been given some key ideas here to put to use to help fight this battle. Don't wait another day to begin. Start now. Live the life you deserve to live. Be good to yourself.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Targeting Arthritis Improving Quality of Life for More Than
46 Million Americans; Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mayo Clinic Staff; How You Feel Pain; MayoClinic.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Chronic Pain Information Page; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke