Chronic Pain Management in Cleveland, OH,
Pain can be defined as an unpleasant feeling or sensation that is triggered in the nervous system in response to a stimulus or pain trigger(s). It is the body’s way of telling us we are hurt or we have an underlying or undetected problem that requires immediate medical care. Without any pain, you might not even know that you are seriously hurt or have a severe medical problem that requires treatment.
In most cases, when the body has healed or the problem has been taken care of, the pain goes away on its own. However, there are some instances where the pain might go on for weeks, months, or even years – this state of continuous intense pain is known as chronic pain. According to a 2018 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 million American adults (approximately 20.4% of the American adult population) suffer from chronic pain. This means that 1 in every 5 people suffers from chronic pain in Atlanta, GA, and the United States at large.
Common Types of Chronic Pain
There are numerous forms of chronic pain depending on the cause or the afflicted body part(s). Chronic pain can result from a number of causes including serious injuries and diseases like arthritis and cancer. The pain may also arise from health conditions that come with old age. Below are some of the most prevalent forms of chronic pain:
- Severe headache
- Postsurgical pain
- Cancer pain
- Post-trauma pain
- Arthritis pain
- Back pain – Includes neck pains, lower and upper back pain, and any other form of pain that affects the spine or the adjoining muscles.
- Psychogenic pain – is a form of chronic pain that results from emotional, behavioral, or mental factors.
- Neurogenic pain – a form of pain resulting from nerve damage.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain can show up in a wide array of ways. Signs and symptoms and intensity levels differ from one person to another. A number of people experience numerous symptoms whilst others only experience only a few. Among the most prevalent symptoms of chronic pain include:
- Burning pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Joint pain
- Muscle aches
- Mood problems, including depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Loss of stamina and flexibility due to decreased activity
Ketamine for Chronic Pain Management
It is believed that one of the leading causes of chronic pain conditions is the overactivity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain. Ketamine helps chronic pain by attaching to the NMDA receptor and blocking it from being activated by glutamate, a neurotransmitter, thereby helping to mute the effects of chronic pain symptoms.
By connecting to those receptors, ketamine may be able to amplify the number of glutamate neurotransmitters in the empty space between neurons. Glutamate then interacts with the AMPA receptors.
Together, these receptors bring about the discharge of multiple molecules that boost the brain’s neuroplasticity – essentially, ketamine infusions allow the brain to reset and restore important nerve connections.
Other Pain Treatments We Offer
Can Ketamine Help Ease Your Chronic Pain?
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Have you tried and exhausted other pain management options only to be left in constant discomfort? Are you ready to start living life on your terms again?
If you or someone you know is dealing with chronic pain, contact Cleveland Medical Institute to learn more about ketamine infusions for fast-acting chronic pain management in Cleveland, OH.
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