When you are in pain, you could care less about whether someone refers to it as acute pain or chronic pain. All you want is for the pain to stop. However, understanding the difference between acute pain and chronic pain, can help you to treat your pain quickly and get back to life.
A Closer Look at Acute Pain
Acute pain is the kind of pain that you do not need to deal with for months on end. It comes on suddenly like if you were to break a bone or get a burn or a cut. It can be the result of a trauma to the body like a surgery, dental work or childbirth, etc. Most of the time acute pain does not last longer than six months and often disappears when the injury has healed.
Let’s Take a Look at Chronic Pain
On the other hand can linger even after the injury has healed. People often feel chronic pain in the form of headaches, back pain, pain due to damage of the nerves, arthritis, etc.
Chronic pain can have a great effect on the person’s body other than simply being uncomfortable. Side effects of chronic pain can include limited mobility, tense muscles, lower energy and a change in eating habits. Psychological issues can also follow chronic pain like depression, anxiety or anger.
How Can Acute Pain be Treated?
When it comes to acute pain, you can sometimes create a pain management plan. A pain management plan is very effective when it comes to healing after a surgery or procedure; you can expect a certain amount of pain and decide before hand how it will be handled. If the acute pain is due to a sudden trauma, a pain management plan can be created shortly after the report of the injury.
If acute pain is treated properly, it can help to ward off future chronic pain. Some ways that chronic pain is treated is through medications including over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol or Aleve. Stronger medications are also available as well as muscle relaxers.
Acute pain can also be treated with nerve blocks, surgery and electric stimulation. The medical community today believes that by treated the pain right away, the patient has a better chance to heal.
How Can Chronic Pain be Treated?
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is a little different then acute pain; it is slightly more complicated. Many times, chronic pain is present not because our body is telling us that something is wrong, but because the nerves have been damaged and are sending signals that they should not be sending.
Unlike acute pain, chronic pain is harder to treat with certain medications. Pain killers like should not be taken for an extended period of time. Health care providers have turned to alternatives ways to treat a person’s chronic pain.
Often times lifestyle changes are the first things that is suggested by professional. Inactivity, obesity, smoking, the use of alcohol, etc. all have a negative effect on chronic pain. Exercise, meditation, physical therapy, psychological counseling can all be great ways to combat chronic pain. Alternative medicines such as acupuncture have also been shown to reduce chronic pain.
Topical Pain Relievers
Topical pain relievers are NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) that can be every effective in treating both acute and chronic pain. Topical NSAIDs creams, gels and sprays can be applied directly to the area and is absorbed through the skin. Often times is it more affective then oral NSAIDs because oral medications need to be absorbed within the body then travel throughout the body eventually winding up where it is needed. Parts of the body that do not need to be exposed could become more susceptible to injury.
Oral NSAIDs can sometimes cause stomach ulcers or heart, liver or kidney problems. Topical creams cut down on the threat of complications and are often safe to use by those who already suffer from these conditions.
