8.3.3 Flashcards
Paracetamol Overview
Paracetamol is a common painkiller that is generally safe, with serious side effects being rare.
Effectiveness of Paracetamol
Paracetamol is no better than a placebo for chronic pain and only effective for acute pain in a small number of people.
Dangers of Paracetamol Overdose
Exceeding the recommended dose of paracetamol can be extremely dangerous.
NSAIDs Overview
NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.
Effectiveness of NSAIDs
NSAIDs are effective for reducing fever, inflammation, and headache pain.
Side Effects of NSAIDs
A common side effect of NSAIDs is stomach irritation. There is also conflicting research on their safety regarding Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Opiates Overview
Opiates, such as morphine and codeine, are strong painkillers effective for treating acute pain.
Effects of High Doses of Opiates
High doses of opiates can slow breathing and heart rate, posing significant risks.
Addiction to Opiates
Opiates are addictive, which makes long-term use problematic.
Local Anaesthetics Overview
Local anaesthetics, like novocaine, are injected near affected body areas to stop nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.
Action Time of Local Anaesthetics
Local anaesthetics act quickly, usually within 5–10 minutes, but their effects wear off after about 30 minutes.
Anti-depressants as Painkillers
Anti-depressants may reduce pain by increasing neurotransmitters in the spinal cord to block pain signals, particularly for chronic pain.
Effectiveness of Anti-depressants for Pain
Anti-depressants are useful for chronic pain like migraines, back pain, and sciatica, but they do not work immediately and provide partial pain relief.
Attention Diversion in Pain Management
Attention diversion uses distraction techniques to reduce pain perception, making it an inexpensive and self-administered strategy.
Benefits of Attention Diversion
Attention diversion significantly reduces perceived pain and improves quality of life (Holden, 2013).
Limitations of Attention Diversion
Attention diversion requires the patient to fully believe in its effectiveness for it to work.
Non-pain (Guided) Imagery for Pain Relief
Non-pain imagery involves imagining a pleasant scene unrelated to pain, helping to reduce moderate pain with the guidance of a therapist.
Benefits of Guided Imagery
Guided imagery has no side effects, allows patients control over pain management, and can be used at any time.
Limitations of Guided Imagery
Guided imagery may be less useful over long periods, as it is difficult to maintain the visualization, and not everyone can visualize effectively.
Cognitive Redefinition for Pain Management
Cognitive redefinition involves providing clear information to help patients think rationally and without fear about pain, challenging irrational beliefs.
Benefits of Cognitive Redefinition
Cognitive redefinition has no side effects, and positive self-statements can help reduce pain perception.
Limitations of Cognitive Redefinition
Cognitive redefinition is ineffective when patients have rational fears based on past painful experiences.
Acupuncture Overview
Acupuncture involves inserting fine metal needles into the skin, often accompanied by mild electrical currents, and is thought to work by gate control theory.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been shown to reduce medication doses and side effects, with research supporting its effectiveness in cancer patients (Hu et al., 2016).
Limitations of Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be less appealing for some due to a fear of needles, and for severe pain, it must be combined with conventional treatments.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Overview
TENS involves placing electrodes on the skin near the pain site and passing mild electrical current to reduce pain, often explained by the gate control theory.
Effectiveness of TENS
TENS has been shown to be effective during labor (Kaplan et al., 1998) but has short-lived effects for chronic conditions like phantom limb pain (Sarafino, 2006).
Psychological Treatments for Pain Overview
Psychological treatments, such as attention diversion and cognitive redefinition, have no side effects and give patients control over pain management.
Effectiveness of Psychological vs. Biological Treatments
Biological treatments tend to be more effective for severe pain, but psychological treatments offer no side effects and can be effective for moderate pain.
Adherence to Psychological Treatments
Patients are more likely to adhere to psychological treatments when pain is moderate and short-lived since side effects are a common barrier to adherence.
Limitations of Biological Treatments
Biological treatments, like analgesics, may have harmful side effects or lead to addiction, making them less ideal for long-term use.
Reductionism in Biological Treatments
Biological treatments can be reductionist, focusing only on the biological mechanisms of pain while ignoring psychological and environmental factors.
Idiographic vs. Nomothetic in Pain Treatment
Biological treatments often take a nomothetic approach, using generalized methods like paracetamol, while an idiographic approach might be more suited for individuals who experience pain differently.
Impact of Cultural Differences on Pain Treatments
Acupuncture presents an alternative to traditional Western pain management, offering effective relief alongside conventional drug therapies, especially for cancer patients (Hu et al., 2016).
Limitations of Paracetamol for Chronic Pain
Paracetamol is ineffective for chronic pain, as research shows it is no better than a placebo for many patients.
Role of NSAIDs in Inflammation and Pain Relief
NSAIDs are commonly used to treat inflammation, fever, and headaches, but they come with side effects like stomach irritation and a potential increased risk of breast cancer.
Side Effects of Opiates
Opiates can slow vital signs like breathing and heart rate, and their addictive properties make them unsuitable for long-term pain management.
Local Anaesthetic Benefits and Drawbacks
Local anaesthetics offer fast pain relief but may wear off quickly, requiring combination with other treatments for lasting effect.
Effectiveness of Anti-depressants for Chronic Pain
Anti-depressants are especially useful for conditions like migraines and sciatica but require time to take effect and provide partial pain relief.
Psychological Treatments for Pain Management
Psychological treatments, such as distraction, imagery, and cognitive redefinition, offer an effective, non-pharmacological alternative for pain management, especially for moderate pain.
