Perhaps you have been having persistent pain on your leg joints that won’t go away. You have tried some pain relievers, but the intensity of the pain seems to get worse with every step you make. If this has been your life as a resident of Colonia chronic pain is a manageable condition through treatment and therapy.
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Signs to Watch Out
If you have persistent pain that lasts for more than three months, it is a sign to seek further treatment. Additionally, you may also experience pain lasting more than a month after the original cause of pain for the injury comes to an end. Should you also experience recurring painful periods that last for months or years, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
You can also experience symptoms that result from chronic pain. For instance, you might have interrupted sleeping patterns, loss of appetite, and even losing your sense of taste.
Weight loss, constipation, and low libido are also symptoms to watch as they develop gradually. Continuous pain may lead to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, which can affect your emotional health.
Risk Factors
To some people, if you are suffering from chronic ailments like cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and even diabetes, you might experience chronic pain. Chronic pain is also a common symptom for the older demographic. If you are 65 years or older, you have high chances of suffering from conditions such as arthritis, which translates to higher probabilities of developing chronic pain.
Being overly obese also increases your probability of developing chronic pain. Additionally, unhealthy lifestyle habits, like smoking, tend to increase the pain intensity if you suffer from chronic ailments.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will evaluate you to identify the best course of treatment. For instance, you can answer questions on how long you have been experiencing the pain, the specific part of your body feeling the pain, and also the intensity of your pain. Not to forget, it is advisable to take note of factors that can trigger the pain. An x-ray is also necessary for making the diagnosis.
Treatment Options to Explore
After your doctor examines you, they can use different medical alternatives to alleviate chronic pain. For instance, they may have a prescription of strong pain relievers. Antidepressants are also an option if you are suffering from depression. Drugs containing muscle relaxers are essential in minimizing the stiffness of your muscles and aid in relaxation for proper healing.
If your chronic pain is a result of suffering from an accident or injury, you can undergo physical therapy which increases your flexibility and promotes faster healing. Physical therapy can help you in dealing with chronic pain, shoulder pain, and also knee and lower back pain.
Additionally, your doctor can also opt for occupational therapy. You can also incorporate the use of relaxation techniques such as breathing in and out and even meditation. By undergoing spinal cord stimulation and surgery, pain can be rectified when other treatment options do not yield results.
Furthermore, it is advisable not to ignore the pain by constantly suppressing it with pain relievers before consulting your doctor for a diagnosis as you might be suffering from a severe underlying condition.