Pain

DEFINITION: 

Pain is an unpleasant sensation in the body. It is a sign that something may be wrong with the body. Pain can be felt as a prick, sting, tingle, burn, or ache. Pain might be dull or sharp and it may be constant or may come and go. It could be localised (confined to a particular body area) or generalised (pain all over the body). The response to the pain can vary from person to person. Few people have low pain tolerance whereas others have high pain tolerance. 

TYPES:

Pain is of two types: acute or chronic. 

• Acute pain generally comes on suddenly and lasts for a short duration. It is a normal physiological response to injury. 

• Chronic pain may last for a longer duration and cause severe problems. It occurs when pain signals in the brain continue firing even after recovery from injury or illness.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Pain may be felt as shooting, burning, aching, or electrical sensation. It may also feel sore, tight, or stiff in the affected area.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS:

The cause of the pain is not clear. However, chronic pain could occur due to injury or illness to the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. Chronic pain may develop due to injury, illness like shingles or back injury. Pain could also occur when chemicals in the brain do not work properly. 

The cause of pain may vary depending on the area:

• Muscles, joints and bones: This can happen due to muscle strain or injury. Health conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia may cause pain.

• Nerves/nervous system: This kind of pain occurs due to damaged nerves or pressure on the nerves from a health problem or injury. Central nervous system problems may also cause pain. Conditions like diabetes, shingles, or sciatica cause pain.

• Organs: Infection, injury, or health problems like stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome can cause pain.

• Toothache: Tooth infection or tooth decay may cause pain and inflammation in and around the tooth.

TREATMENT:

Treatment mainly includes pain reliever medicines. Your doctor will prescribe the medicine depending on the type of pain. Painkillers work by inhibiting chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation. Generally used painkiller medicines are:

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin
• Diclofenac

LIFESTYLE & HOME REMEDIES FOR PAIN:

• Physical activity helps strengthen muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30 minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.

• Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.

• Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.

• Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.

• Follow heat or cold therapy, and apply a cold or hot compress on the joints for 15-20 minutes regularly.

• Acupuncture, massage and physical therapy may also be helpful.

• Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.

• Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes and green tea.