In chronic pain, the pain signals keep firing up the nervous system for months, even years, either continually or as flare-ups. In many cases, the response is needless since the initial injury or illness is over. Or the cause may be an ongoing condition like arthritis - an illness like cancer, or known. Whatever the cause, chronic pain often is intractable. The cause of the pain cannot be removed or treated, and the pain itself cannot be relieved.
Unrelieved pain creates a vicious cycle.
It can make people unable to work, concentrate, socialize, eat properly, sleep, and have sex. That in turn may lead to depression, anxiety, and frustration, which accentuates the pain and leaves the patient even less ableto cope with the normal activities of life. Hope Through Research. Then check out these articles in our Condition Forum. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.