Pain is the body’s way of telling us that we are injured or ill. The nervous system triggers pain to make you stop doing something that may result in severe tissue damage. There are many different types of pain, and the experience varies from person to person.
Symptoms of Various Types of Pain
The symptoms of pain depend on the underlying cause. Sudden injuries such as cuts or burns result in sharp, severe pain that subsides relatively quickly, while chronic pain lasts long after the initial injury has healed.[1] Pain may also be throbbing, shooting, aching, burning, or feel like a build-up of pressure.
Causes of the Different Types of Pain
There are many different causes of pain, depending on the affected structure. Sometimes pain is caused by an injury or medical condition. At other times, you may experience pain, but the cause of the pain may not be obvious.
Everybody has a unique experience of pain. Some are more sensitive to pain, while others may have a much higher pain threshold. This may make it difficult to explain the type of pain you are experiencing to others. It is also possible to feel more than one type of pain at the same time, which only adds to the complexity. Identifying the type of pain you are experiencing will help you narrow down the possible causes of your pain. Read on to learn about the different types of pain.
1. Acute Pain
Acute pain is caused by a direct injury, trauma, or surgery. Acute pain is usually moderate to severe in intensity and gradually improves with time. It can last for a few minutes up to three months (or six months in more severe cases). Because it is often related to a soft tissue injury, acute pain often subsides once the injury heals or the illness has resolved.
Common causes of acute pain include:
Acute pain usually resolves relatively quickly, but it is known as chronic pain if it lasts longer than three to six months.
2. Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than a reasonable period has passed for an injury to heal. It is a common condition, affecting an estimated 20% of people worldwide.[2] Pain is regarded as chronic when it lasts for more than three to six months. Some people experience chronic pain even when there is no underlying injury or illness.
Chronic pain is linked to many health conditions, including:
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Headaches
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Cancer
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Arthritis
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Fibromyalgia
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Nerve pain.
The stress of chronic pain can often lead to other physical symptoms, such as:
Chronic pain can even affect one’s emotional wellbeing, and often leads to depression, anxiety, fear of re-injury, and anger.
3. Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is caused by an injury to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal nerves, and peripheral nerves.[3] Damage to the nervous system often causes the misfiring of pain signals. Nerve function changes at the site of the injury and in the central nervous system, causing oversensitivity and pain. You may feel pain in response to stimuli that would not ordinarily cause pain, such as a light touch on your skin.
Causes of neuropathic pain include:
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Compression of the nerves in the spine due to a bulging disc.
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Diabetes
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Shingles
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Cancer
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Central nervous system disorders (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
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Chemotherapy
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Amputations that result in phantom pain in the missing limb
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Surgeries or trauma resulting in nerve damage
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Alcoholism
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Facial nerve problems, such as Bell’s Palsy.
4. Nociceptive Pain
Nociceptors are pain receptors found in all tissues and organs. When they are stimulated by actual or potential tissue damage, pain results; this is known as nociceptive pain.[4] Nociceptive pain is the most common type of pain. It can be acute or chronic and can be either somatic or visceral in nature.
Somatic Nociceptive Pain
Somatic nociceptive pain occurs when there is damage to your skin, muscles, bones, connective tissues, or muscles. It is often easy to locate the pain, and the pain is described as a constant gnawing or aching sensation that worsens with movement. Somatic pain can be classified as superficial or deep.
Superficial somatic pain occurs with damage to the skin or mucous membranes. It is the most common type of nociceptive pain resulting from abrasions, cuts, bruises, or illnesses such as colds or sinusitis.
Deep somatic pain occurs when joints, tendons, bones, and ligaments are damaged. It is often the result of an injury or trauma but can also result from tumours in the bone or skin, arthritis, osteoporosis, or a strained muscle.
Visceral Nociceptive Pain
Visceral nociceptive pain occurs when the receptors of the organs are activated. Pain is felt in the abdomen, pelvis, or chest but cannot be easily pinpointed. Visceral pain is described as a build-up of pressure, a deep ache, or severe cramping. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, a fever, or an elevated heart rate. Some possible causes of visceral pain include:
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Irritable bowel syndrome
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Appendicitis
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Chrone’s disease
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Menstrual pain
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Food poisoning
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Kidney stones.
How to Talk About Your Pain
The pain experience differs from person to person. Some people are more sensitive to pain than others. What may feel like mild pain to one person may feel more severe to another.
Your doctor will prescribe a treatment for your pain, depending on your symptoms. You will be asked to describe your pain, including how long you’ve had the pain, where you feel the pain, what time of the day your symptoms arise, what movements or activities make the pain worse or better, and whether it refers to other places in the body.
You will also be asked to describe the nature of the pain and how it feels. Consider the following descriptions:
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Burning
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Aching
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Sharp
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Shooting
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A build-up of pressure
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Throbbing
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Intense.
Conclusion
There are many different types of pain, depending on the underlying cause. Some people are more sensitive to pain, while others have a much higher pain threshold. Factors such as how long you have had the pain can also influence your pain experience. It is important to understand the different types of pain to describe it accurately. This will help your doctor to recommend the appropriate treatment for your pain.
