Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that persists for weeks, months, or even years. About 50 million American adults are living with chronic pain. It’s incredibly common, yet getting the right diagnosis and finding an effective treatment plan is often difficult and frustrating.
There are many possible causes of chronic pain, and some of the most common are traumatic injury, surgery, and cancer. However, not every case of chronic pain is so clear. Sometimes, pain is the primary or only symptom, and reaching an accurate diagnosis is even more challenging.
If you’re suffering with chronic pain, Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team can help. We specialize in chronic pain management in Bethpage, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York, and we’re dedicated to helping you understand your symptoms and find relief.
Here are some common conditions that could be the cause of your chronic pain.
Arthritis affects 24% of American adults. It’s a condition that causes joint deterioration, and it makes your joints swollen, stiff, and painful. Arthritic joints can cause chronic pain and seriously restrict your mobility.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) typically affects one of your arms or legs. It’s often triggered by trauma, like an injury or surgery. It causes intense pain that’s out of proportion to the severity of the initial cause.
Fibromyalgia causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. The condition isn’t well understood, but research indicates that having fibromyalgia increases your sensitivity to pain signals in your body.
Chronic migraine affects up to 5% of Americans. Migraine is characterized by intense, throbbing head pain, and the headaches are often so severe that they limit your daily life. Chronic migraine is diagnosed if you have at least 15 headache days a month.
Myofascial pain syndrome causes ongoing muscle pain or referred pain to other parts of your body. It starts when pressure or repetitive motion makes an area of the muscle more sensitive. A trigger point develops in that spot, and it causes pain.
Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves beyond your brain and spinal cord get damaged. It’s a common complication of diabetes, and it often causes nerve pain, numbless, tingling, and weakness in your hands or feet.
Back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. In fact, nearly 80% of people suffer back pain in their lifetimes. A handful of common conditions can cause chronic back pain, including:
Cervical radiculopathy and whiplash cause head and neck pain. Sciatica causes low back pain, while these other spine conditions can cause pain anywhere along your spinal cord.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve condition that causes chronic facial pain. It typically affects one side of your face, and the pain it causes feels like an electric shock.
If you have pain that isn’t going away, it’s time to seek specialized care. Dr. Fanaee works with you to identify the cause of your chronic pain so you can get started finding relief.
Call our team at 631-265-2020 to schedule your first visit, or book an appointment online now.
