Kelly Gurnett - Chronic Pain: An Invisible Illness

Published in 2018 by

Lucent Press, an Imprint of Greenhaven Publishing, LLC

353 3rd Avenue Suite 255

New York, NY 10010

Copyright 2018 Lucent Press, an Imprint of Greenhaven Publishing, LLC.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.

Designer: Deanna Paternostro Editor: Jennifer Lombardo

Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gurnett, Kelly.

Title: Chronic pain: an invisible illness / Kelly Gurnett.

Description: New York : Lucent Press, 2018. | Series: Diseases and disorders | Includes index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781534562844 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781534561960 (library bound) | ISBN 9781534561953 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Chronic diseases in children-Juvenile literature. | Chronic diseases-Juvenile literature. | Chronically ill-Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC RJ380.G87 2018 | DDC 618.92'044-dc23

Printed in the United States of America

CPSIA compliance information: Batch #CW18KL: For further information contact Greenhaven Publishing LLC, New York, New York at 1-844-317-7404.

Please visit our website, www.greenhavenpublishing.com . For a free color catalog of all our high-quality books, call toll free 1-844-317-7404 or fax 1-844-317-7405.

CHAPTER ONE
Understanding Chronic Pain

CHAPTER TWO
Chronic Pain Conditions

CHAPTER THREE
The Effects of Chronic Pain

CHAPTER FOUR
Treating Chronic Pain

CHAPTER FIVE
The Trouble with Invisible Illnesses

CHAPTER SIX
Hope for the Future

I llness is an unfortunate part of life, and it is one that is often misunderstood. Thanks to advances in science and technology, people have been aware for many years that diseases such as the flu, pneumonia, and chicken pox are caused by viruses and bacteria. These diseases all cause physical symptoms that people can see and understand, and many people have dealt with these diseases themselves. However, sometimes diseases that were previously unknown in most of the world turn into epidemics and spread across the globe. Without an awareness of the method by which these diseases are spreadthrough the air, through human waste or fluids, through sexual contact, or by some other methodpeople cannot take the proper precautions to prevent further contamination. Panic often accompanies epidemics as a result of this lack of knowledge.

Knowledge is power in the case of mental disorders, as well. Mental disorders are just as common as physical disorders, but due to a lack of awareness among the general public, they are often stigmatized. Scientists have studied them for years and have found that they are generally caused by hormonal imbalances in the brain, but they have not yet determined with certainty what causes those imbalances or how to fix them. Because even mild mental illness is stigmatized in Western society, many people prefer not to talk about it.

Chronic pain disorders are also not well under-stoodeven by researchersand do not yet have foolproof treatments. People who have a mental disorder or a disease or disorder that causes them to feel chronic pain can be the target of uninformed opinions. People who do not have these disorders sometimes struggle to understand how difficult it can be to deal with the symptoms. These disorders are often termed invisible illnesses because no one can see the symptoms; this leads many people to doubt that they exist or are serious problems. Additionally, people who have an undiagnosed disorder may understand that they are experiencing the world in a different way than their peers, but they have no one to turn to for answers.

Misinformation about all kinds of ailments is often spread through personal anecdotes, social media, and even news sources. This series aims to present accurate information about both physical and mental conditions so young adults will have a better understanding of them. Each volume discusses the symptoms of a particular disease or disorder, ways it is currently being treated, and the research that is being done to understand it further. Advice for people who may be suffering from a disorder is included, as well as information for their loved ones about how best to support them.

With fully cited quotes, a list of recommended books and websites for further research, and informational charts, this series provides young adults with a factual introduction to common illnesses. By learning more about these ailments, they will be better able to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, show compassion to people who are dealing with invisible illnesses, and take charge of their own health.

P ain is a part of life everyone experiences. It comes in many forms, from the sharp sting of a cut to the throbbing of a stubbed toe. Normally, pain serves an important purpose. It is the bodys way of warning that something is wrong. It can signal danger, such as the pain of accidentally touching a hot stove, or warn of illness, such as the sore throat that starts off a cold. Pain can also occur as the result of injury and prevent further injury to a body part that is already hurt. For example, a twisted ankle is painful to put weight on, which encourages shifting weight to the other leg, allowing the injury to heal without the risk of further damage.

When a persons body is functioning normally, pain works as an alarm bell that warns of a harmful condition that requires attention. However, for millions of people, pain is more than just a symptom of a temporary condition; it is a constant problem that affects every part of their daily lives. It may occur as a result of an injury or illness, or it may occur by itself as the result of a glitch in one or more systems of the body. When pain persists for a long period of time and does not go away or get better, it goes from being a symptom of another condition to its own condition. This condition is known as chronic pain syndrome.

In a 2011 report called Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that approximately 100 million Americans suffered from chronic pain. Of those people, 25 percent suffered from moderate to severe pain, while 10 percent suffered from severe disabling chronic pain.1 The Mayo Clinic lists chronic pain as a leading cause of disability in the United States and one of the most common medical problems people face.2 However, it is still largely misunderstood. One poll found that only 18 percent of respondents said they believe that chronic pain is a major health problem.3 While great advances have been made in the way the world approaches chronic pain, there is still much to be done.