Medically speaking, pain is an uncomfortable or uneasy sensation, usually signaling an illness or injury. Generally, pain is your body telling you that something is incorrect. This is the purpose of pain. Pain makes you uncomfortable, so if you are sick or injured, you will know that you need to do something (or instead stop doing something). The brain triggers your pain response when you do something that causes your body to get hurt.
When you touch something hot, the feeling of pain is your body’s way of informing you that you must stop touching the hot item and take action to cool your skin. Suppose you walk on an injured ankle, and it hurts. That is also your body telling you to stop. Pain is perceived differently in different individuals. A person could have a broken bone and not even realize it, while another may feel significant pain from the same injury. That is because nerve fibers in the body mediate pain, and these nerve fibers have the job of sending pain signals to your brain (which happens very rapidly).
Once they find their way to your brain, the brain works to make you aware of your pain. Because every individual’s body is different, their brain and nerve fibers may react differently to the same stimuli. That helps explain why pain tolerance and perception can differ so much from one individual to another.
Please read this blog to know about the different types of pain, various home remedies to treat pain, and the connection between pain and anxiety and panic disorder.
Types of pain
We often hear this question: “What are the different types of pain?”
This has a simple yet complicated answer. There are commonly five types of pain, but specific pain may fit into more than one category where the complication begins. The five common types of pain are:
· Acute pain
Acute pain is short (relatively), lasting from minutes to approximately three months (sometimes up to six months). Acute pain tends to be linked to a temporary illness or a soft-tissue injury, so acute pain generally subsides after the disease or the injury heals. Acute pain from a particular injury can evolve into chronic pain if the wound does not heal correctly or in case the pain signals malfunction.
· Chronic pain
Chronic pain is generally longer in duration. Chronic pain can be intermittent or constant. For example, headaches are considered chronic pain if they continue over several months or years- even if the pain is not always present. Chronic pain is usually because of a health condition, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, or a spine condition.
· Nociceptive pain
Nociceptive pain is a kind of pain caused by damage to body tissue. People usually describe it as a throbbing, achy, or sharp pain. It is generally due to an external injury. For example, if you stub your toe, hit your elbow, fall and scrape up your knee, or twist your ankle, you may feel nociceptive pain. People usually feel nociceptive pain in the muscles, joints, tendons, skin, and bones. Nociceptive pain can be chronic as well as acute.
· Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is generally caused by damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system. People usually describe it as burning, stabbing, or shooting pain, or it may feel like pins and needles. Neuropathic pain may also affect sensitivity to touch and make people have difficulty feeling cold or hot sensations. It is a common type of chronic pain. It can be intermittent (meaning it comes and goes), and it may be so severe that it makes performing daily activities difficult. Since the pain can interfere with normal movement, it may cause mobility issues.
· Radicular pain
Radicular pain is a particular kind of pain and can occur when the spinal nerve gets inflamed or compressed. It radiates from the hip and back into the leg through the spinal nerve root and spine. People with radicular pain can experience muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling. Pain that radiates from the back and to the legs is called radiculopathy. It is commonly called sciatica since the affected sciatic nerve causes pain. This type of pain is usually steady, and individuals can feel it deep into the leg. Sitting, walking, and some other activities may make sciatica even worse. This is among the most common types of radicular pain.
What are the possible treatments for pain?
Home remedies
Many spices and herbs can treat inflammation and other related conditions. These plant-based pain treatment options fall under a therapy called alternative medicine, which also includes yoga, reiki, acupuncture, and other practices. You can find the relief you require from various natural painkillers we will discuss now. When it comes to pain relief, you will be surprised by what might help you feel better.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains the compound curcumin, an antioxidant that helps protect our body from free radical molecules that may damage tissue and cells. Some people use turmeric as a natural pain reliever since it helps relieve inflammation.
Cloves
Like other herbal supplements, you may use cloves to treat various conditions. Cloves can also help relieve the pain associated with arthritic inflammation, toothaches, and headaches. Cloves are also commonly used as part of a topical pain reliever. Eugenol is an active ingredient in cloves, a natural pain killer used in some over-the-counter pain rubs. Rubbing a tiny bit of clove oil on the gums can temporarily ease toothache pain.
Acupuncture
This ancient medical practice relieves pain by balancing the body’s natural energy pathways. This flow of energy is called qi. For this practice, acupuncturists place thin, tiny needles into the skin. The location of the insertion is linked to the source of the pain. Based on qi, a needle can be inserted far from the part of your body experiencing pain. Acupuncture can relieve pain by causing your body to release serotonin, a “feel-good” chemical that relieves pain. Acupuncture relieves pain related to osteoarthritis and various locations of chronic pain.
Ice and heat
Among the most popular home remedies for pain is applying ice and heat directly to the pain sites. Using ice to reduce pain and swelling fast after you experience a strained ligament, muscle, or tendon can bring relief. Interestingly, heat can help reduce the stiffness of strains and sprains once the inflammation subsides. If your pain problem is arthritis, applying moist heat to the affected joint will help more than ice.
Essential oils
Apart from all the discussed home remedies for pain relief, some people also use essential oils like lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and many others for treating pain.
Medications for pain relief
Pain relievers are medications that relieve or reduce sore muscles, headaches, arthritis, or other pains or aches. There are several pain drugs, each having different advantages and risks. Some kinds of pain respond better to certain medications than others. Each individual can also have a slightly different response to a painkiller. OTC (over-the-counter) medicines are suitable for many types of pain.
There are two effective OTC pain medicines: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and aspirin are examples of OTC NSAIDs. The most effective pain relievers are opioids.
What is the connection between pain and anxiety, and panic disorder?
Anxiety, panic disorders, and chronic pain often co-exist and exacerbate each other. Approximately two times as many people suffering from chronic pain because of arthritis are also affected by an anxiety disorder. Anxiety has also been increased among patients with back pain, fibromyalgia, and neck pain. Likewise, people who suffer from anxiety disorders also report an increased prevalence of chronic pain than those without anxiety. For example, 45% of patients with panic disorder also have chronic pain.
The prevalence of chronic pain among those with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) has been reported to be approximately 35% among all patients seeking PTSD treatment and as high as 55% to 85% among volunteer firefighters and military veterans with PTSD.
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