What Are the Causes of Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain commonly occurs due to an initial injury, like a back sprain or pulled muscle. Studies show that chronic pain may also occur after certain nerves have been damaged. The nerve damage increases the severity of the pain and makes it last longer. In cases where the chronic pain occurs due to nerve damage, treating the underlying injury may not treat the chronic pain.
Some people may develop chronic pain without any initial injury. The exact cause of this type of pain is not understood. In some cases, chronic pain may occur due to underlying health condition, like:
- Endometriosis: A painful disorder that occurs when the tissues from uterine lining develop in areas outside of the uterus.
- Fibromyalgia: Severe and widespread pain in the muscles and bones.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: A group of conditions that cause chronic, and painful inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome: Accompanied by severe, prolonged weariness that usually causes pain.
- Interstitial cystitis: A chronic disorder that is usually characterized by pain and bladder pressure.
- Vulvodynia [4]: Chronic vulva pain that occurs without any particular cause.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ): A disorder that causes popping, locking of the jaw, or painful clicking.
Chronic pain does not only affect your body, it also affects your social, and mental life. While it may be difficult to completely resolve this type of pain, there are certain tips that can help you cope or live with it. Here are 12 tips for coping with chronic pain.