Question

Acute pain is generally referred to as having a short duration. Chronic pain is generally over a period greater than 3 months. Besides these differences, describe the difference between acute and chronic pain? List five reasons a patient would experience acute pain. List five reasons a patient would experience chronic pain. How would the patient presentation be different for chronic pain vs acute pain?

Please give reference

Answer 1

Apart from duration of effect difference between “acute and chronic pain”

Acute pain	Chronic pain
Rapid onset of the action	Usually gradual & persistent
There is difference in Nature of Pain as it starts suddenly as a reaction of an injury or something else.	It develops gradually out of habitual diet, posture or other conditions. It Continues beyond expected period of recovery.
Acute pain normally fades as the injury or damage heals	It may be due to an ongoing condition or disease
e.g. Breaking a bone, burn, strep throat, flu, asthma attack, heartburn.	Osteoporosis, asthma, frequent migraines, consistent back pain, heart disease, kidney disease.

Five reasons a patient would experience acute pain include:

• Broken bones
• Surgery
• Labor and childbirth
• Burns/ cuts
• Dental work

Five reasons a patient would experience chronic pain include:

• Nerve pain
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia pain
• Arthritis
• Back pain

It is very clear that patient presentation will be different for chronic pain and acute pain as chronic patient's pain intensity, functional abilities, beliefs & expectations, and emotional distress.

These assessments are crucial for physician, or a referral for in depth evaluation can be made to assist in treatment planning.