What is Acute Pain?
Acute pain is defined as pain that occurs suddenly, feels sharp, and lasts for less than 6 months after the onset. It serves to warn your body while also alerting you to the fact that your health may be in danger of deteriorating. A widespread misconception is that acute pain is moderate and transient, but in reality, it can be extremely complex and last for long periods.
When something specific happens, such as a fractured bone or a cut or even something as simple as childbirth, acute pain occurs. Some acute pain normally subsides when the affected area has been treated, and it is only transitory and brief in duration. Acute pain, on the other hand, can have long-term consequences and cause significant suffering in some cases.
Therapy for acute pain focuses on addressing the underlying causes of the pain. Patients’ pain levels are assessed by doctors using instruments such as the pain rating scale, which helps them obtain a better knowledge of the patient’s situation.
What is Chronic Pain?
If your pain lasts longer than three months, it’s termed chronic or persistent pain, and you’ll probably need some help from your doctor to figure out what’s causing it and how to manage it.
Chronic pain affects roughly one out of every four persons in the United States, according to our estimates. To treat both the physical and psychological impacts of chronic pain, Intermountain relies on experienced primary care clinicians, specialised specialists, and a balanced, interdisciplinary approach:
Recognize the cause. Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of syndromes and illnesses. It’s crucial to figure out what’s causing the discomfort, as well as how to deal with it. Different illnesses necessitate different treatments; for example, what works for a migraine headache may worsen an irritated colon.
Include the patient in the process. We involve patients in their own pain treatment by encouraging them to set goals, participate in planning, and keep track of their progress, because chronic pain affects us all differently.
Keep track of the outcomes and follow up. You should anticipate to see your primary care physician on a frequent basis to monitor your progress, make changes to your treatment plan, and encourage your recovery.
Difference Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain
- It is common for acute pain to occur suddenly and be induced by a single event, and it has a sharp quality to it. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is discomfort that persists over time.
- Acute pain has a specific cause, which is frequently tissue damage, inflammation, or the onset of a medical condition. Various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, as well as osteoarthritis, can result in chronic pain. However, it is possible that disease activity is not related to pain levels. Chronic pain may occasionally indicate that disease activity is rising, which can be treated with rest or a change in drug regimen.
- Acute pain is defined as pain that lasts for a certain period of time. Chronic pain is continuing, with no clear time frame for how long it will endure.
- Acute pain can be caused by a fractured bone, burns, wounds, or even childbirth. Chronic pain includes headaches, arthritis, cancer, nerve, back, and fibromyalgia.
- Acute pain requires a different approach. The symptoms might come and go without warning, making diagnosis difficult. Injections are suitable for those with severe persistent pain. To help alleviate pain, steroid injections are given into the painful area.
Comparison Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain
| Parameters of Comparison | Acute Pain | Chronic Pain |
| Duration | Acute pain lasts for about six months or so . | Chronic pain is basically discomfort that goes on for more than six months or so. |
| After Physical Conditions | After the acute discomfort has subsided, you can resume your normal activities. | Chronic pain causes stress on the body, resulting in Strain, Moving slowly, Lethargy, Appetite shifts. |
| Treatment Response | Responsive to a wide range of treatments. | Many treatments have proven ineffective. |
| Harm Caused by Treatments | The majority of treatments are completely safe. | Some treatments may be harmful to the patient. |
| Cause | Acute pain has a specific “cause”. In other words, it tells the body to cease hurting. A burn stops you from touching a hot stove, and shin splints slow you down from overtraining. | Chronic pain may be caused by something that cannot be identified. |