What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that has persisted for longer than six months and is experienced most days. It may have originally started as acute pain, but the pain has continued long after the original injury or event has healed or resolved.
Chronic pain can range from mild to severe. Examples of chronic pain include pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, back pain, cancer, circulation problems, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and headache.
The results of a survey published in the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine showed an overall prevalence of moderate-to-severe chronic pain of 10.4% of the general adult Filipino population, with an annual incidence rate of 3.4%.
Moderate-to-severe chronic pain was more commonly reported by women and the elderly. The most common locations of pain were the knees, back and lower back.
How does Chronic Pain impact quality of life and mental health?
Chronic pain management is vital, as chronic pain can severely affect a person’s quality of life and prevent them from returning to work or participating in physical activity.
People living with chronic pain are at heightened risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Chronic pain can affect sleep, increase stress levels and contribute to depression. An estimated 35% to 45% of people with chronic pain experience depression.
Pain can also be a common symptom among people with an anxiety disorder, particularly generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders commonly occur at the same time as chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia, back problems, migraines and arthritis, among others.
About 25% of people with chronic pain will go on to have a condition called chronic pain syndrome (CPS). CPS develops when people have symptoms beyond pain alone, like depression and anxiety, which interfere with their daily lives.
What are common medicines for Chronic Pain?
Common medicines for chronic pain include:
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Diclofenac
- Codeine
- Tramadol
- Fentanyl
- Oxycodone
- Morphine
- Antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
Other treatment options include capsaicin cream and nonpharmacological treatments such as bioelectric therapy and radiation therapy
Always consult your doctor about which pain medication or treatment option is right for you. Shop at Watsons for pain-relieving medications and other essential healthcare needs.
Reference:
https://www.drugs.com/article/pain-management.html#a6. Accessed 03 September 2024
https://www.herdin.ph/index.php?view=research&cid=41147#:~:text=Results%3A%20The%20survey%20showed%20an,by%20women%20and%20the%20elderly. Accessed 04 September 2024
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/chronic-pain-and-mental-health-interconnected. Accessed 03 September 2024
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/chronic-pain-syndrome-overview. Accessed 01 October 2024