In-Depth Reports - Factors that can cause and worsen chronic pain

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Factors that can cause and worsen chronic pain

Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the healing of an acute tissue injury. It can affect tissues, nerves, or both. It is persistent in nature and can lead to sleep disruption, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, and a general deterioration of health and functional capacity.

Multiple factors can cause, maintain, or aggravate chronic pain. Inherently painful, incurable diseases or health conditions include cancer, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and diabetic neuropathy. Chronic pain may be provoked by injury, surgery, or disease that causes damaged sensory nerves, sympathetic nervous system activity, and painful reflex muscle contractions. Psychological factors such as depression and emotional trauma can amplify, perpetuate, or even cause chronic pain. The multiple factors associated with chronic pain can make diagnosis and treatment a complex, lengthy process.

Review Date: 7/5/2013
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