DM1 Pt7-2 Pain Pathways Flashcards
What is the difference between nociception and pain?
Nociception refers to the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli, while pain is the conscious experience of discomfort when these signals reach the cerebral cortex.
Why is the administration of analgesics important during surgery even though animals cannot feel pain?
Analgesics prevent changes in pain pathways that occur during tissue damage (peripheral and central sensitization), which can lead to heightened pain sensitivity and make post-operative pain harder to manage.
What is peripheral sensitization, and how does it contribute to pain?
Peripheral sensitization occurs when inflammatory mediators sensitize peripheral nociceptors, leading to increased pain sensitivity (primary hyperalgesia) in the area of tissue damage. This makes normally painful stimuli feel more intense.
What is central sensitization, and what pain phenomena are associated with it?
Central sensitization involves changes in the spinal cord and brain that increase pain sensitivity in undamaged areas (secondary hyperalgesia), cause non-painful stimuli to be perceived as painful (allodynia), and result in spontaneous pain.
How does the NMDA receptor contribute to central sensitization?
NMDA receptors are activated by noxious input following tissue damage, enhancing the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord. Blocking NMDA receptors with drugs like ketamine can reduce or reverse central sensitization.
What are the two strategies developed to improve pain management based on the understanding of pain pathways?
- Pre-emptive analgesia (administering pain relief before surgery to prevent sensitization)
- Multi-modal analgesia (using different drugs that target various parts of the pain pathway)
What is acute pain?
Acute pain is pain that does not outlast the injury that caused it, such as surgical pain or pain after trauma.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain persists after tissue damage has healed and is often associated with ongoing inflammation or damage to nervous tissue.
What is neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain results from damage to the nervous system itself and is often chronic.
What is inflammatory pain?
Inflammatory pain arises from tissue damage that leads to inflammation, such as after an injury or surgery.
What is somatic pain?
Somatic pain is pain that originates from cutaneous or superficial tissues.
What is visceral pain?
Visceral pain originates from internal organs, such as pain from the gastrointestinal system.
