Chronic pain

Chronic pain is medically defined as pain that has lasted 6 months or longer.

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This constant or intermittent pain has often outlived its purpose, as it does not help the body to prevent injury.

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It is often more difficult to treat than acute pain.

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Expert physician care is generally necessary to treat any pain that has become chronic.

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When opioids are used for prolonged periods drug tolerance, chemical dependency and even psychological addiction may occur.

Related Topics:
Opioids - Drug tolerance - Chemical dependency - Psychological addiction

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Chemical dependency is common among opioid users; however, psychological addiction is rare. Apparent drug tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of opioids may occur, but is usually associated with increasing progression of the underlying disease rather than an actual decrease in efficacy of the drug http://www.stat.washington.edu/TALARIA/LS3.3.1.html.

Related Topics:
Chemical dependency - Opioid - Psychological addiction - Drug tolerance

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