Acute pain is a temporary and often intense sensation that typically results from an injury, illness, or surgery. It serves as a warning signal from the body, indicating that something is wrong and needs attention. The duration of acute pain is usually short-term, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few weeks, and it often improves as the underlying cause heals. For example, the pain you feel after a sprained ankle or a surgical procedure is acute pain, which subsides as the body recovers.
On the other hand, chronic pain persists for months or even years, often outlasting the normal healing process. It can be caused by long-term conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve damage, and sometimes it develops without an obvious underlying injury. Chronic pain can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, leading to emotional, psychological, and physical challenges. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a protective mechanism, chronic pain can become a condition in itself, requiring ongoing management and treatment to help improve daily function and well-being.
