Whenever an individual struggles with chronic pain, it could impact virtually every element of their lives. It may sometimes begin as a simple burning sensation, only to become a more debilitating concern. Worse still, pain can be hard to address as there could be numerous triggers. Thus, despite your best efforts, you may still struggle with this daunting concern. While most people often complain about stabbing, burning, sharp, or unbearable sensations, pain could have far-reaching effects beyond physical symptoms. In this post, the expert staff at Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas will help you understand the physiological dangers of living with pain. Continue reading to learn more.
How Does Pain Affect Your Mood?
Regrettably, living with chronic pain could alter one’s mood by rendering one more prone to emotional swings that might lead to anxiety, fear, and sadness. Such mood problems might also increase a person’s reliance on prescribed painkillers like opioids. The more terrified, alone, or depressed they feel, the higher the likelihood to abuse particular medicines to mask the agony while providing a momentary ‘euphoric’ feeling. Once these effects wear off, though, the feelings of hopelessness and misery resurface; thus, creating a vicious cycle.
How Does Pain Affect Sleep?
Besides the disruptions in one’s mood, living with chronic pain could drastically interrupt your sleep patterns. When an individual is experiencing sporadic or unrelenting discomfort, it is frequently difficult for one to go asleep or stay asleep for long. As per the National Sleep Foundation, an average of 21% of Americans who suffer from chronic discomfort experience sleeping difficulties.
How Does Pain Affect Concentration And Memory?
According to a recent study, pain not only impacts your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but it could also impact your concentration and memory. Pain disrupts the memory pathway required to retain data for processing and long-term information storage. As a result, you will experience memory difficulties and have issues with concentrating on specific tasks.
How Does Pain Impact Relationships?
It is no surprise that coping with pain has negative consequences to one’s interpersonal connections with friends, family, and colleagues. Physical constraints, as well as an inclination to lose patience when in pain, might hinder your capacity to empathize and interact with others. As a result, you may experience disruption in your social life because you will often prefer staying behind closed doors to nurse your pain instead of interacting with others. What’s more, pain could also affect one’s sexual relations, work or home-related duties, and parenting.
Dealing with pain is a never-ending battle to overcome bodily agony as well as the emotional and emotional consequences. Whereas trying to address all symptoms simultaneously might be difficult, with the help of friends, family, and proper healthcare, a life free of pain is attainable. Inquire with your physician at Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas about alternative pain solutions, besides prescription meds, that may offer sufficient relief to ensure you enjoy a healthy night’s sleep and restored life quality. To discuss your concerns and explore your care options, call the Arlington, TX office or use the online booking tool to arrange an appointment today.