Module 3 - Pain Flashcards
Unpleasant sensory and emotional sensation associated with actual and potential tissue damage
Pain
Pain is subjective*
3 types of fibers
A
B
C
Myelinated, fastest rate of conduction, convey pressure, touch sensation
Type A Fibers
Aligned with someone who has acute pain
Myelinated, transmit information from cutaneous and subcutaneous receptors
Type B Fibers
Unmyelinated, smallest diameter so slowest rate of conduction
Type C Fibers
Associated with chronic pain
Three Levels of Neurons
First-order
Second-order
Third-order
Detects the sensation
From the periphery to CNS
First-order neurons
In the spinal cord; transmit messages to the brain
Second-order neurons
In the brain; relays information from the brain to the cerebral cortex to have resulting feeling of pain
Third-order neurons
- used for the rapid transmission of sensory information such as discriminative touch
- Rapidly conducting large myelinated fibers
Discriminative Pathway (Pain pathway)
Provides transmission of sensory information such as pain, thermal sensations, crude touch and pressure that does not require discrete localization of signal source
Anterolateral Pathway:
- Paleospinothalamic Tract
- Neospinothalamic Tract
Paleospinothalamic Tract:
- slower conducting, mostly type C fibers
- Really diffuse, dull-aching sensation: CHRONIC PAIN
- Activates the reticular activation system (controls sleep/wake cycles)
- Affects arousal, mood, attention
Neospinothalamic Tract
- Faster conducting, myelinated type A fibers
- allows localization, identification of pain
Special pain receptors detect pain (nociceptors)
Specificity Theory
Sensory receptors create pain signals when stimuli are too strong
Pattern Theory
Pain is carried by distinct fibers in spinal cord
Gate Control Theory
The brain identifies pain
Two loops b/w thalamus and cortex and the network can create a pain sensation even when its not there
Neuromatrix pain
When stimulus becomes pain
The point at which stimulus feels painful
Pain Threshold
How much pain someone is willing to endure before doing something about it
Pain Tolerance
Continued stimulation causes pain
Hyperpathia
Spontaneous, unpleasant sensations
Paraesthesias
Distortions of somesthetic sensation
Dysesthesia
Reduced pain sensation
Hypalgesia
Absence of pain
Analgesia
Pain after non noxious stimulus
Allodynia
COLDSPA
Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated Factors
Nonnarcotic Analgesics
Aspirin and other NSAIDS
Acetaminophen (tylenol)
Blocks prostaglandin synthesis and effects on inflammatory system
Antipyretic and anti-inflam effect
Inhibition of COX enzymes
Aspirin and other NSAIDS
Equal to aspirin and other NSAIDS but no anti-inflammatory response
Acetaminophen (tylenol)
