01/12/2021
WHAT IS PAIN:
Pain is a general term that describes uncomfortable sensations in the body.
It stems from activation of the nervous system. Pain can range from annoying to debilitating.
It can be steady, throbbing, stabbing, aching, pinching, or described in many other ways. Sometimes, it's just a nuisance, like a mild headache.
Pain may be localized, affecting a specific part of your body. Or it may be generalized, such as the overall body aches associated with the flu.
WHY DO YOU FEEL PAIN?
When your body is injured in some way or something else is wrong, your nerves (cells that help your body send and receive information) send millions of messages to your brain about what's going on. Your brain then makes you feel pain.
Pain can bring about other physical symptoms, like nausea, dizziness, weakness or drowsiness. It can cause emotional effects like anger, depression, mood swings or irritability.
Perhaps most significantly, it can change your lifestyle and impact your job, relationships and independence.
Pain may be consistent, it may start and stop frequently, or it may occur only under some conditions. People respond to pain differently. Some people have a high tolerance for pain, while others have a low tolerance. Pain is highly subjective.
TYPES OF PAIN:
1. Acute pain: is the body's normal response to tissue damage or injury and needs immediate medical treatment. It heals and generally lasts less than three months.
2. Chronic pain is an abnormal response and doesn't improve with time.
3. Nociceptive pain: Nociceptive pain is caused by tissue damage.
4. Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain results from nerve damage, which may be caused by a variety of injuries and illnesses.
5. Functional pain: Functional pain is pain that’s caused by no obvious injury or damage to your body.
6. Emotional pain: Emotional pain is caused by negative alteration in feelings
WHAT CAUSES PAIN?
In some cases, pain is clearly caused by a specific injury or medical condition. In other cases, the cause of the pain may be less obvious or unknown.
Some common causes of pain include:
headache
toothache
sore throat
stomach ache or cramps
muscle cramps or strains
cuts, burns, or bruises
bone fractures
Many illnesses or disorders, such as the flu, arthritis, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia, can cause pain. Depending on the underlying cause, you may develop other symptoms as well. For example, these may include fatigue, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or mood changes.
