THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Pain is a body-wide sensory signal generated by sensitive nerve cells called nociceptors that detect tissue damage and transmit signals to the brain via the spinal cord. Chronic pain, which lasts for more than six months, can persist after the initial injury has healed, making it difficult to manage and potentially impacting sleep, activities, and emotional well-being. It can result from persistent inflammation or changes to nerve fibers, causing the brain to become oversensitive to pain signals even without new injury. Chronic pain can have many triggers. For some, it starts with an injury such as a back sprain or a sporting event, while for others, it has conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or nerve damage. It is also common for pain to be a symptom of a wider health problem, such as immune disorders or cancer. Recognizing what's behind the pain is the first step to finding relief.