It is not easy to live with chronic pain. In 2016, the CDC estimated that 20.4% of US adults had chronic pain–that’s approximately 50 million people in the US alone. While chronic pain is a physical state of being, it can have a mental and emotional impact as well.
How Does Pain Activate Your Stress Response?
The human brain is wired to have a physical and chemical response to physical pain. When your body feels pain, it begins to prepare for fight-or-flight. Your heart rate increases and blood flow is prioritized to your muscles so that they tighten and are ready for action. While you can expect your body to return to a more relaxed state after a temporary state of pain, prolonged chronic pain creates different issues. In times of stress, your body releases cortisol, a natural chemical also known as the stress hormone. When your body responds to chronic pain and releases an excess of cortisol, this hormone, unfortunately, has a negative effect instead of a helpful and useful effect. Risks of prolonged cortisol secretion include exacerbating existing stress or causing inflammation in the body. If your body is unable to regulate your stress, your body may enter an exhaustion stage, which increases your risk of depression, anxiety, lethargy, and fatigue.
How Can Chronic Pain Impact Your Day-To-Day Life?
You may notice that living with chronic pain may result in inattentiveness, moodiness, and irritability. As you wrestle with physical pain, as well as these mental and emotional side effects, you may notice that your work life and home life are affected. It may also be difficult to keep up hobbies, or even participate in social activities, which further exacerbates the situation, as the situation becomes more isolating and you are unable to distract yourself. With these negative changes influencing your lifestyle, you may be even more likely to develop issues when it comes to anxiety and depression.
How Can I Cope With Chronic Pain?
Even though coping with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety can be difficult, there are ways to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Eating nutritious foods and getting plenty of sleep is a great way to ensure that your body has the fuel and the rest necessary to function at its very best. Even though it may be difficult to socialize or enjoy your hobbies as much as you like, it is important to be around your loved ones and distract yourself. Consider asking your friends and family for support as well, so you do not have to endure everything alone. Though exercise can be difficult, it can be helpful in breaking the pain cycle. Consider that you do not need to do strenuous exercise, and can participate in low-impact activities at your own pace, such as walking or swimming.
Most importantly, when people experience long-term stress and are in need of pain management, we find that seeking treatment and professional help can greatly improve their quality of life. If you or a loved one is experiencing constant, severe pain call and schedule an appointment with MVM Health and learn more about the pain relief services that are right for you.
