Most of us hate pain. Nevertheless, pain is our body’s way of letting us know that we’re reacting to different things. Just imagine what would happen if you felt nothing when a virus is slowly trying to take over your body or if you became sick from a bacteria – there would be no way for you to know that you are not okay. Pain is one way the body tells you something’s wrong and needs attention. Pain – no matter where it comes from – is an unpleasant experience, emotionally and physically. It can be caused by multiple things, and each person responds differently to pain. However, even though the experience of pain varies from one person to the next, it is possible to categorize the type of pain. Here’s an overview of two types of pain and what distinguishes them from one another. Acute Pain and Chronic Pain To separate it into acute pain and chronic pain is one way of categorizing pain. Acute pain often comes quickly and lasts only for a short amount of time. It’s frequently caused by damage to tissue such as bone, muscle, or organs, and often comes with anxiety or emotional distress. Chronic pain lasts longer than acute pain and is generally somewhat resistant to medical treatment. It’s usually associated with a long-term illness, such as osteoarthritis. In some cases, it’s one of the defining characteristics of the disease. Chronic pain can be the result of damaged tissue or nerve damage. Acute and chronic pain can be excruciating, and both can affect and be affected by a person’s state of mind. However with the nature of chronic pain – the fact that it’s ongoing and in some cases seems almost constant – makes the person who has it more susceptible to psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety. At the same time, psychological distress can amplify the pain. It is wise to seek professional help once constant pain is brought to your attention. Prevention is always better than a cure. For more information about Chronic and Acute pain and how it can be managed.