Chronic Childhood Pain

Among the conditions that our children can suffer, there are different degrees of pain. Chronic childhood pain is one of the most intense manifestations, which is also aggravated by its duration over time.

Chronic childhood pain is a disease that affects a third of the population of children. It can be due to chronic diseases or some other type of pathology. In some cases, these origins cannot be diagnosed, which further increases the condition.

Chronic pain is considered when the sensation is constantly maintained for a period of 6 months to a year without any improvement due to treatments or surgical interventions. The most common childhood complaints are headaches, abdominal and limb pain.

Although few specialists address this issue, chronic childhood pain has begun to gain importance in public health. The challenge today lies in establishing specialized pain assessment mechanisms for children.

Chronic childhood pain: description

In general, chronic pain in children has the same conditions as in adults. It is a constant pain that has gone from being a symptom to becoming a disease. The greatest challenge in science is accessing the child to know the severity of the pain.

In general, specialists tend to classify pain according to stages. This allows to know the degree of discomfort of the patient and his pain threshold;  that is to say, the point to which it is able to bear the discomfort.

In the case of children, this classification is made more difficult because they do not have all the resources to communicate.

How to identify chronic pain in children?

First, we must listen to the little one if he says that his belly, head or any other part of the body hurts. Many parents downplay their children’s complaints.

Sometimes they treat symptoms as fleeting without stopping to assess the source. When a complaint becomes recurrent, it is important to give it the necessary attention to avoid further damage.

In addition, it is recommended to take the following measures when pain appears:

• Control the frequency and duration. Pain has a pattern, and when it comes to chronic pain, that pattern is constant in both its frequency and intensity. If it is chronic pain, the complaints can increase.

• Identify the crises and their behavior. Chronic pain has a powerful effect on patient behavior. Although in many cases it involves a physical disability, it can also affect your mood. If the child spends a lot of time alone, withdrawn or sad, it may be the effect of his condition.

What to do if chronic pain in children is suspected?

It is proven that chronic pain can lead to disability and can also establish itself as a disease in adulthood. Therefore, the importance of attending it on time is emphasized.

Visit to the specialist

Faced with the constant moan of discomfort, the first obligation is to go to the doctor. In the first instance, you should go to the pediatrician; if there are still doubts after doing so, you can visit the specialist related to the discomfort.

The diagnosis

Currently, some techniques used in adults have been adapted for use in children. The most common methods are those that help the patient express their pain with pictures. In the case of children over 6 years of age, they are shown a list of expressions with which they must identify their pain.

How to treat chronic pain in children

Specialists agree that chronic pain should be treated with different medical resources. Treatment should include medications, physical and emotional therapy, as well as psychological help and clinical monitoring.

Among the consequences that inappropriate care of chronic pain can cause is depression. In addition, there is a tendency to addiction to drugs or painkillers, even in children.

When chronic pain is suspected, self-medication should be avoided at all costs. Following the instructions of the specialist and providing psychological support to the child is essential for the success of the treatment.

Pain therapy

Pain therapy is a technique that contributes to improving the quality of life of patients with chronic pain. It consists of a controlled analgesia treatment accompanied by psychological help.

This type of therapy, which begins to be applied in children, helps to strengthen defenses and improves mood. In addition, it contributes to the reproduction of hormones associated with wound healing.