Chronic pain is an invisible illness that cannot always be seen by other people, which causes a lack of support by doctors, friends, family, and employers. Here are ten things individuals with chronic pain want you to know.

No one ever wants to be in pain, so be gentle with the things you say. It is not helpful to say things such as, “It can’t hurt that bad.”

Many doctors do not actually understand chronic pain or what causes it; therefore, it may be hard to find the right treatment. This may cause individuals to spend lots of time looking for the right treatment option.

If a person with chronic pain is unable to work, it does not mean they are having fun at home. It may be a struggle to perform certain tasks such as getting out of bed, dressing themselves, and using the bathroom.

People with chronic pain are at an increased risk of developing all sorts of emotions, such as depression, denial, anxiety, or despair. They may also feel very isolated and do not always walk to talk on the phone or in person.

Aside from being in constant pain, individuals may also experience nausea, muscle cramping, brain fog, headaches, vision problems, gastrointestinal problems, and change of appetite.

Chronic fatigue occurs when daily activities such as waking up or getting dressed become impossible. It is not the same as being lazy or even over tired. Chronic fatigue does not improve no matter how much sleep a person gets.

Pain may radiate from different areas of the body to include leg, back, head, neck, shoulder, arm, or muscle pain.

Brain fog is a common symptom of chronic pain. It may cause difficulty speaking, memory loss, or forgetting where certain items have been placed.

The common cold may be more severe in individuals with a chronic illness. This is because the immune system is already comprised, which makes it easier for other pathogens to sneak in and cause disruptions.

Certain inflammatory foods, such as gluten, dairy, alcohol, soy and processed foods, may worsen symptoms

Article Provided By: PainScale