Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain
Pain Facts
- Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined
- Chronic pain is the most common cause of long term disability
- At some point 8 out of 10 people are affected by back pain
Acute Pain
- Results from disease, inflammation, or injury
- Usually sudden or new onset
- Usually easily diagnosed and treated
- Often self-limiting, confined to a given period of time and severity
Examples of Acute Pain
- Muscle strain
- Broken bone
- Surgery
Chronic Pain
- Represents the disease itself
- Made worse by environmental and psychological factors
- Persists over a longer period of time
- More difficult to diagnose and treat
- Can cause long-term disability
Examples of Chronic Pain
- Arthritis pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pain from shingles
- Low back pain
For more details on University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center or for help obtaining a physician referral, please call 440-285-7757.