With the increasing number of people who suffer from long-term pain caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis and other conditions, there is a pressing need to implement new treatments that can cure or manage chronic pain. Although the causes of pain vary from case to case, there are common factors that lead to pain and inflammation and these should be identified and addressed in order for treatment to be successful. Apart from that, there is also the role of genetics that is to be considered in chronic pain treatment. Research has found out that genetic factors may play a role in pain and treatment.
A recent study has shown that there is a strong link between psychological and genetic factors and fibromyalgia (FM) and multiple sclerosis. FM is a chronic pain condition that originate in the central nervous system, and multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive disease characterized by symptoms such as numbness, impaired sensory functions and blurred vision. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a widespread musculoskeletal complaint that affects the muscles, including the spine, the arms, the legs and the lower back. In addition, both fibromyalgia and FM can result in chronic fatigue syndrome, which is characterized by widespread fatigue, profound muscular pain and sleeping problems. FM is a disorder that was earlier thought to be a result of a lone sensory disorder, while fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disorder that has recently been discovered to be associated with other diseases such as diabetes, HIV and depression.
The most common reason why FM and fibromyalgia co-occur is because the central nervous system, specifically the brain, sends signals to the nerves and this causes inflammation of the nerves or pain. When the nerves are damaged, the brain sends signals to give instructions to the body on what type of treatment is required to eliminate pain or the possibility of more damage to the same nerves. If the doctor diagnoses you with fibromyalgia or FM, he or she may prescribe medications for both conditions as well as advise you on physical therapy and alternative therapies.
Apart from medication, pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help diagnose and treat these conditions. When the nerve damage is suspected, doctors conduct a series of tests to determine the root cause of the pain. This may include nerve-conduction tests, bone scan, X-rays and CT scan. If the cause is determined, the affected area is treated. If there is nerve damage, the treatment recommended will involve reducing the inflammation to prevent further deterioration of the nerves or treating the damage already done. Treatments for chronic pain may include anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and massage, oral medications and light therapy. Visit us at the Elite Pain & Spine institute for some top chronic treatment services.
Arthritis pain may be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. However, if other factors such as pain, swelling, redness and warmth are observed along with fever, stiffness and tenderness in the limbs, it is considered to be one of the early warning signs of arthritis. It is important to note that arthritis pain may spread to the lower back or chest and may lead to heart disease. To avoid such complications, patients are advised to go for regular exercise, eat healthy and take their medication regularly. Patients suffering from arthritis pain may also want to consider physical therapy which may help improve flexibility and reduce stress. To get a detailed info about chronic pain treatment, you have to learn more.
Fibromyalgia pain, on the other hand, may be treated using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. For more severe cases of fibromyalgia, doctors may prescribe antidepressants. Examples include Tricyclic Indole Therapy (TCI) which is taken in the form of a pill. Patients who do not respond to medication or those with severe nerve damage should consult their doctor for more aggressive pain treatment options. You can check out this link: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/pain-management to get more info on the topic.