Many people experience pain from time to time, but chronic pain is different.
Chronic pain persists. It is defined as pain that lasts for at least three months, has no physical cause to explain the pain or its intensity, and interferes with daily living. Many older adults suffer from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, cancer and angina, among others. People who suffer from chronic pain tend to be preoccupied with their pain, leading to a state of suffering, sleeplessness and sadness. In search of a cure, they may abuse medications, go from physician to physician and undergo useless operations or procedures.