35 Pain (Overview & Types of Pain)

Question 1

What stimulates pain?

Answer 1

stimulation of nociceptors in the tissues

generates an action potential and a neural signal from PNS to CNS via nociceptive pathways

Question 2

what is pain?

Answer 2

unpleasant sensory and emotional experience

only occurs when perceived and constructed in the brain

a dynamic and responsive system

Question 3

what is nociceptive modulation?

Answer 3

the ability of the nervous system to modulate perception of pain

can heighten or reduce pain perception

Question 4

what is the pain threshold?

Answer 4

the level at which pain will be perceived

Question 5

what is the pain tolerance point?

Answer 5

the level at which pain will be perceived as unbearable

Question 6

what are the types of pain?

Answer 6

nociceptive (somatic or visceral) - response to local nociceptive events

neuropathic (maladaption of nervous tissues)

Question 7

what is somatic pain?

Answer 7

pain as response to injury of somatic tissues

local to site of injury

typically intermittent pain (worse with activity, better with rest)

sharp or stabbing with movement, aching at rest

Question 8

what is visceral pain?

Answer 8

pain as response to injury of visceral tissues

viscerally logical distribution

dull, diffuse, aching

Question 9

what is neuropathic pain?

Answer 9

maladaption of nervous tissues

neuroanatomically logical distribution

burning, shooting, prickling pain - constant and intense

Question 10

what are the treatment methods that can be used to treat all types of pain?

Answer 10

NSAIDs
opioids
TENS
tactile stimulation and movement

Question 11

what is TENS?

Answer 11

trans electrical nerve stimulation

Question 12

what are the treatment methods that can be used to treat somatic pain?

Answer 12

thermal stimulation
local anaesthetics
paracetemol

Question 13

what are the treatment methods that can be used to treat visceral pain?

Answer 13

corticosteroids

intraspinal anaesthetics

Question 14

what are the treatment methods that can be used to treat neuropathic pain?

Answer 14

corticosteroids
anticonvulsants
neural blocks
tricyclic antidepressants

Question 15

what is the difference between nociceptive and neuropathic pain?

Answer 15

nociceptive: from actual or potential damage to non-neural tissues
neuropathic: malfunctioning of the neural system, hardwiring of pain responses due to neuroplastic changes

Question 16

what is hyperalgesia?

Answer 16

increased pain from stimulus than normally provokes less pain

sensitization of nociceptors

Question 17

what is allodynia?

Answer 17

pain from a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain

sensitization of nociceptors and other mechanoreceptors