Nutrition in Pain Management

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Every facet of an individual’s life may be impacted by chronic or persistent pain. This is generally defined as pain that persists for longer than three months. Chronic pain has been found to cause psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, wage loss, decreased productivity, and diminished quality of life. The modulation of pain physiology may involve various approaches, including weight loss, nutrient density, and diet quality. Case studies have shown that optimal dietary habits may be beneficial for those dealing with debilitating conditions, such as chronic pain syndrome.

If accident-related injuries led to chronic pain, you may have grounds for a claim for damages against the party who caused the incident. For more details, call our knowledgeable California personal injury attorneys for free, friendly case advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

At AutoAccident.com, our legal team understands that crash-related injuries may be accompanied by unexpected costs and unbearable pain. Our California accident attorneys have seen firsthand the lasting effects of a traumatic injury leaving an individual with chronic pain. Our attorneys will advocate for the maximum compensation you need to cover your medical treatment, including pain management programs, lost earnings, and other damages. Contact our law office today to arrange a free consultation with a member of our team to learn how we can assist you.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain, as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), is recurrent or persistent pain lasting longer than 12 weeks. In the case of accident-related injuries, pain should expectedly cease within the completion of rehabilitation and treatment. If the pain associated with injuries from the incident does not resolve within three months, it may be considered chronic pain.

Chronic or persistent pain may be caused by a single factor, like a traumatic injury, or a combination of factors, such as degenerative changes, congenital conditions, years of poor posture, obesity, and bad lifting techniques. Diseases like fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are widely known to cause chronic pain.

Treatment and Management of Chronic Pain

There is no cure for chronic pain syndrome. Therefore, a combination of lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications is recommended for pain management. The occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain syndrome may be influenced by poor nutritional status. This may come in the form of a suboptimal diet, unhealthy dietary patterns, and malnutrition. The relationship between this condition and nutrition is complex in nature. It may involve various underlying mechanisms like glucose metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Pain management for chronic or persistent pain requires an interdisciplinary approach, including the optimization of dietary intake. Nutrition may have a direct impact on pain experiences by improving the function of the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. Maintaining or losing weight may decrease meta-inflammation and joint loads. Suboptimal dietary intake may occur from various factors, including sleep deprivation from irregular meal patterns. Decreased or limited functional strength and mobility may also affect an individual’s ability to prepare and cook nutrient-dense meals.

Case studies have reported lowered pain signal transmission based on patient dietary habits. Research data has noted that a decrease in pain sensitivity and improvement in quality of life is attainable through resistance training and various diets. Incorporating polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables into the diet has been found to calm and stop painful flare-ups. The sensory characteristics of foods, including color, astringency, and flavor, are directly associated with phenolic compounds. A diet with polyphenols can improve systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and lipid profiles.

What are Polyphenols and What Do They Do for the Human Body?

Polyphenols are compounds produced by plants. They play a key function in the nutritional diet. Polyphenols are classified based on diverse chemical structures and categorized into several groups. The four main types of polyphenols are phenolic acids, stilbenes, lignans, and flavonoids. Phenolic compounds play an integral role in protecting organisms through the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and external stimuli. These may instigate various illnesses. Research has shown that polyphenols have a positive influence on human health. They are found in vegetables, fruits, chocolate, and tea.

Research has shown that polyphenols possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties shown to facilitate vascular function enhancement through nitric acid mediators. Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) activity coupled with the interaction of polyphenols may modulate nitric oxide production. Case studies have concluded that small amounts of produced nitric oxide may have the potential to lower pain related to conditions such as osteoarthritis. Nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen and oxide species (RNOS) are involved in the reduction and perception of pain and may be considered for pain management.

What Foods Are High in Polyphenol?

Polyphenols in the diet are essential for the suppression of free radical damage. In combination with other types of reducing agents or antioxidant enzymes and vitamins, they may protect the body against pathologies associated with oxidative stress, such as inflammation. Good sources of polyphenols include coffee, tea, cocoa, broccoli, plums, citrus fruit, berries, and apples. Anti-obesogenic effects have been found in polyphenols like curcumin, resveratrol, and catechins through increased energy expenditure, decreased inflammation, lipogenesis inhibition, and adipocyte oxidation.

Advice from a medical professional or a registered dietitian can be helpful in meeting optimal dietary intake. A registered dietitian has specialized training in nutrition and is qualified to provide counseling on dietary habits. Dieticians will recommend nutrition and meal plans while taking budgets and preferences into account, provide counsel on healthy dietary habits and nutrition issues, and assess health and nutritional intake based on unique needs. Customized nutritional guidance from registered dietitians provides long-term sustainable lifestyles, particularly for those with chronic pain and other conditions.

Can You Develop Chronic Pain From Getting Injured in a Motor Vehicle Collision?

Case research has shown that chronic widespread pain may be triggered by roadway crashes. Central neurobiological mechanisms mediate stress exposures, such as motor vehicle collisions. Stress exposure may lead to a wide array of changes in sensory processing. This may occur from mechanisms like peripheral afferent sensitization through persistently elevated levels of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. Research has shown that individuals who developed chronic widespread pain have an increased risk of developing symptoms of depression, PTSD, and somatic syndrome disorders.

Seeking Compensation for Chronic Pain From Accident-Related Injuries

Those diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome from crash-related injuries may be eligible to seek reimbursement for non-economic and economic damages. These consider the intangible harm and financial hardship that injuries from an accident have caused. Claimants may be entitled to compensation for past and future costs of necessary and reasonable treatment, lost wages, reduced earnings from permanent injury or disability, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more.

For additional information on the types of financial recovery, you may be able to seek in a bodily injury claim for an accident, contact a law office with experience handling cases involving chronic pain immediately. At AutoAccident.com, our legal team will leave no stone unturned when it comes to securing the financial compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives and put traumatic accidents behind them. Do not hesitate to contact our California personal injury lawyers for a free case evaluation to learn about our services. Before calling, watch this video about our law office and how we can help.

Is It Expensive to Hire an Attorney for a Personal Injury Case in California?

To seek the maximum financial recovery you deserve after an accident, you need an attorney who is well-versed in California personal injury law. Your lawyer should have an in-depth understanding of debilitating conditions requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation, such as chronic pain syndrome. Your attorney should have the experience, skills, and resources to build the strongest personal injury case possible to present in insurance negotiations or in the courtroom. Remember that your time is limited to taking action. A two-year statute of limitations generally applies in these cases, per CCP 335.1.

When you need legal representation after a traumatic accident, look no further than AutoAccident.com. Our legal team has worked hard to secure maximum compensation on behalf of clients throughout the Golden State, and we can do the same for you and your case. Our injury lawyers operate on contingency which means that we only get paid if we obtain a successful result through a case settlement or verdict for the client. When you turn to us for assistance, we will work diligently to recover the compensation you need for your medical expenses, including pain management, lost earnings, and other losses.

Contact a Chronic Pain Syndrome Lawyer Today

Accident-related injuries and chronic pain may be challenging matters, especially when difficult insurers are involved. Those injured in crashes may be left in pain even after rehabilitation and treatment are complete. At our California personal injury law firm, we take your situation seriously and will work hard to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact our law office today to discuss your chronic pain syndrome case in detail and learn how we can help at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury attorneys are available anytime to provide free, friendly case advice.

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