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Old 09-22-2011, 12:46 PM
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Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
Dr. Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kittycapucine1974 View Post
I would like to know what the differences are between severe chronic pain and intractable pain.
Definitions can & do vary depending on the source, and there can be some overlap. (Intractable pain is chronic pain, but chronic pain is not necessarily intractable.)

Chronic pain is generally used with regard to the duration of the pain - pain that lasts beyond the "normal" period expected. Sources differ on that duration - anywhere from 3 - 12 months beyond what is expected. Chronic pain can be constant or intermittant.

Intractable is generally used with regard to constancy & nonresponsiveness to ordinary treatment measures.

Quote:
What is Intractable Pain?
According to many surveys, as many as half the adult population claims to have some form of chronic pain. Common causes include headaches, TMJ, carpal tunnel, backaches, bunions, arthritis, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. Chronic pain can be intermittent or persistent and may require over-the-counter or prescription drugs in standard, labeled dosages. Seldom does this pain interfere with activities of daily living or disable a person for more that a few days. Intractable Pain (IP) on the other hand, is very unusual and has four outstanding characteristics: (1) constant, (2) severe, (3) disabling, and (4) causes detectable biologic impacts on the body's blood pressure, pulse rate, hormone levels, and neurologic systems. It should be considered a serious catastrophic condition that, inadequately treated, leads to premature death. Some of its complications include dementia, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Definition of Intractable Pain
"A severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known means and which causes a bed or house-bound state and early death if not adequately treated. It causes adverse biologic affects on the body's cardiovascular, hormone, and neurologic systems."

From: http://intractablepaindisease.com/
Quote:
While not curable, [Intractable pain], like diabetes, and some other serious medical conditions, can be controlled to relieve suffering and prolong life.

ibid.
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Dr. Zachary Smith
Oh, the pain... THE PAIN...

Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE.
All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor.
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