The Conundrum of Treating Chronic Pain in Older Adults

Abstract

Abstract:Despite remarkable advances in healthcare, chronic pain afflicting millions of older adults remains poorly treated. Intense or prolonged exposure to pain creates degenerative changes throughout the nervous system, which intensifies, prolongs and spreads it. The loss of brain gray matter with persistent pain greatly outpaces that seen with normal aging and can explain the learning, memory and emotional difficulties experienced. This loss can be partially reversed with effective treatment.