Exam 2: 17 Feb Pain Flashcards
(52 cards)
What is the annual cost of pain management?
$40 billion
This figure does not include costs associated with surgery and lost workdays.
What role does the dorsal root ganglion play in pain modulation?
It acts as a peripheral relay station for pain signals to the spinal cord
The dorsal root ganglion is crucial for transmitting pain stimuli.
What are the four main steps in the pain pathway?
- Transduction
- Transmission
- Modulation
- Perception
Each step plays a critical role in how pain is experienced.
Which part of the brain interprets pain signals?
The thalamus
The thalamus relays signals to the primary somatosensory cortex for pain interpretation.
What types of fibers are involved in pain transmission?
- Unmyelinated C fibers
- Myelinated A fibers
C fibers are slow, while A fibers transmit pain signals quickly.
What is the function of local anesthetics in pain management?
They stop pain transmission at the transduction level
Local anesthetics block pain signals before they reach the spinal cord.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
- Acute pain usually resolves after the underlying cause is treated. (Occurs days to weeks after injury.)
- Chronic pain persists beyond tissue healing (lasting more than 3 to 6 months)
What are hyperalgesia and allodynia?
- Hyperalgesia: increased sensitivity to pain
- Allodynia: pain from stimuli that do not normally provoke pain
Both are conditions related to abnormal pain perception.
Where does the modulation of pain impulses occur?
The dorsal horn of the spinal cord
Modulation can inhibit or excite pain transmission.
What systemic responses can occur due to pain?
- Cardiovascular: hypertension, tachycardia
- Pulmonary: increased oxygen consumption
- Gastrointestinal: decreased motility
- Endocrine: increased cortisol levels
Each response can lead to further complications if pain is not managed.
What is the gate control theory of pain?
It describes how the spinal dorsal horn acts as a neurologic gate for pain transmission
This theory explains how certain stimuli can inhibit pain signals.
What role do neuromodulators play in pain transmission?
- Substance P
- Glutamate
These are key chemicals involved in the pain signaling process.
What are the four ascending pathways of pain interpretation?
- Spinothalamic
- Spinal medullary
- Spinal bulbocaudal
- Spinal hypothalamic
Each pathway contributes to the overall perception of pain.
True or False: The emotional response to pain includes anxiety and depression.
True
Emotional responses can complicate pain management and recovery.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for modulating pain signals in the brainstem.
periaqueductal gray (PAG)
The PAG is involved in descending inhibitory pathways.
What complications can arise from the cardiovascular response to pain?
- Myocardial ischemia
- Increased myocardial irritability
These complications are serious and require careful pain management.
What is the resting threshold of pain receptors?
It is the level at which pain receptors begin to transmit impulses
Pain impulses occur once this threshold is surpassed.
What types of stimuli can type one (myelinated) fibers transmit?
- Heat
- Mechanical
- Chemical
What are some chemical mediators involved in pain transmission?
- Substance P
- Calcitonin
- Bradykinin
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide
What role do prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and endocannabinoids play in pain?
They cause vasodilation and inflammation
What medications are commonly used to address chemical mediators?
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Cannabis
What is hyperalgesia?
Increased pain sensation to normal stimuli
What is allodynia?
Perception of pain in response to normally non-painful stimuli
What is primary hyperalgesia?
Increased pain sensation at the original site of injury
