Pain
Stopping pain before it turns chronic
Most people experience acute pain, but ignoring persistent or severe symptoms and not seeking treatment can allow it to progress to a chronic state.
A not-so-favorite game played by many older adults is "pain of the day," where they share what currently hurts and how much.
Most often, new aches, known as acute pain, are short-term and go away on their own or diminish with a combination of rest and over-the-counter remedies. But sometimes, acute pain persists and worsens until it becomes a serious chronic pain.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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