Chronic Pain

I am going to try and do the impossible.  In one short article I am going to explain the anatomy and physiology of addiction. I will also attempt to show the dynamic between chronic pain medication and addiction.

To put into perspective for you what I am trying to do, it would be like asking a theology student to define God and give 3 examples on an essay test question.  The task would be daunting, to say the least.

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The epidural space is between the dural sac (a membrane encasing the spinal cord, spinal fluid and nerve roots) and the vertebral wall.

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection that delivers long-acting steroids directly into the epidural space. The steroids help to reduce the pain by reducing inflammation around the nerves. A local anaesthetic also used to ‘flush out’ inflammatory agents that may be irritating a nerve.

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Continuous pain lasting for more than 3 months is called chronic pain.  This type of pain triggers a series of physiologic and anatomic changes in the human body that are not adaptive, but rather, maladaptive (the body is injured by the changes).

One of the most profound maladaptive changes that can occur is the development of depression. Depression is a condition of persistent sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and loss of interest in things or people previously interested in.

Pain And Depression Are “FIRST COUSINS”

It is well known that depression can amplify the perception of pain, but chronic pain can also cause depression in people who previously were never depressed. Pain and depression are “first cousins”.