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Diseases » Chronic pain » Introduction
 

Chronic pain

Chronic pain: Introduction

Chronic pain is the result of an ongoing long-term firing of the nervous system that signals pain for weeks, months, or even years. Chronic pain has many causes and can manifest in a large variety of physical and mental symptoms, including depression. Chronic pain can be due to an injury or an illness or the pain may be psychogenic. Psychogenic pain is not related to any illness, physical condition, or injury.

Chronic pain often affects older adults, but it can occur at any age. Chronic pain can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter what the cause, age of the person, or intensity, chronic pain may seriously impede a person's ability to concentrate, work, and participate in the activities of daily living.

Symptoms of Chronic pain

Read more about symptoms of Chronic pain

Disease Topics Related To Chronic pain

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Chronic pain:

Medical Textbooks Online about Chronic pain

Medical Books Excerpts
  • GIRDLE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • BACK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • BREAST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • CHEST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FACE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FLANK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HEEL PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • Back Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Hip Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Knee Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Eye pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Leg pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Throat pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Back Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Chest Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Arm pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Facial pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Leg Pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Throat pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Scrotal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chest Pain, Atypical
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Low Back Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Calf Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Hip Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Knee Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Neck Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Pleuritic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Shoulder Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Eye Pain
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Abdominal pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Breast pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Facial pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Leg pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Throat pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Back Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Chest Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Arm pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Leg pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
 

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Chronic pain

See full list of 6 diagnostic tests for Chronic pain

Wrongly Diagnosed with Chronic pain?

Chronic pain: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Chronic pain:

Chronic pain: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

Misdiagnosis and Chronic pain

Cluster of diseases with difficult diagnosis issues: There is a well-known list of medical conditions that are all somewhat difficult to diagnose, and all can present in a variety of...read more »

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg cramps or misdiagnosis...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Chronic pain

Chronic pain: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

Causes of Chronic pain

See full list of 33 causes of Chronic pain

More information about causes of Chronic pain:

Treatments for Chronic pain

See full list of 43 treatments for Chronic pain

News Archives for Chronic pain

Medical news articles related to Chronic pain include:

Source: HealthDay News

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Chronic pain

Medical research articles related to Chronic pain include:

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Videos for Chronic pain

What Is Chronic Pain?

What Is Chronic Pain?Chronic pain can affect a person 24 hours a day. What causes chronic pain? And how can you get some relief?

Sleep and Pain

Sleep and PainSleeping well can refresh your body and mind, but it's tough to do when you're in pain. Not only is the pain itself a problem, but sometimes...

 

Trauma and Sleep

Trauma and SleepThe tragedy of life-altering events can turn your world upside down. It can have a tremendous emotional impact as well as the potential for causing...

GI Effects from Pain Medicine

GI Effects from Pain MedicineNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs, are taken to relieve common aches and pains. However, for some people, these drugs...

 
See full list of 6 related videos

Patient Surveys for Chronic pain

Prognosis for Chronic pain

Prognosis for Chronic pain: Many people with chronic pain can be helped if they understand all the causes of pain and the many and varied steps that can be taken to undo what chronic pain has done. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Chronic Pain Information Page: NINDS)

More about prognosis of Chronic pain

Reseach about Chronic pain

Visit our research pages for current research about Chronic pain treatments.

Chronic pain: Broader Related Topics

Types of Chronic pain

Types of Chronic pain

See full list of 6 Types of Chronic pain

Rare Types of Chronic pain:

Rare types of Chronic pain include:

Stories from Users Related to Chronic pain

Related forums and medical stories:

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Chronic pain, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

Article Excerpts about Chronic pain

NINDS Chronic Pain Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

While acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself, chronic pain is different. Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Chronic Pain Information Page: NINDS)

Pain - Hope Through Research: NINDS (Excerpt)

Chronic pain is widely believed to represent disease itself. It can be made much worse by environmental and psychological factors. Chronic pain persists over a longer period of time than acute pain and is resistant to most medical treatments. It can—and often does—cause severe problems for patients. (Source: excerpt from Pain - Hope Through Research: NINDS)

Contents for Chronic pain:
 
User Surveys and Discussion Forums
 


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