Pain 1 Flashcards
What is pain?
an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage
-a highly personal experience
What type of role does pain usually serve?
an adaptive role
-may have adverse effects on function, social, & psychosocial well-being
True or false: pain is the same as nociception
false
How prevalent is pain?
1/5 Canadians live with chronic pain
a 17.5% increase projected between 2019-2030
1/14 have “high impact chronic pain”
1/3 over the age of 65 live with chronic pain
True or false: pain is more common in women
true
-women > 65 have the highest prevalence of chronic pain
What is the biopsychosocial model of pain?
pain affects all aspects of ones life
-reduced QOL and general health
-mental and emotional health
-problems with cognitive function
-school/work absence and reduced productivity
-decreased social connections
Based on pathophysiology, what are the classifications of pain?
nociceptive
neuropathic
nociplastic
Differentiate acute and chronic pain.
duration:
-acute: < 3 months
-chronic: > 3-6 months
organic cause:
-acute: common
-chronic: may not be present
relief of pain:
-both: highly desirable
treatment goal:
-acute: pain reduction(“cure”)
-chronic: functionality
dependence and tolerance to medication:
-acute: unusual
-chronic: common
psychological component:
-acute: usually not present
-chronic: often a major concern
environmental/family issues:
-acute: small
-chronic pain: significant
depression:
-acute: uncommon
-chronic: common
insomnia:
-acute: unsual
-chronic: common
Provide the general definition for the three classifications of pain based on pathophysiology.
nociceptive:
-arises from damage to body tissue; typical pain one experiences as a result of injury, disease, or inflammation
neuropathic:
-arises from direct damage to the nervous system, usually peripheral nerves but can also originate in CNS
nociplastic:
-arises from a change in the way sensory neurons function, rather than from direct damage to the nervous system; sensory neurons becomes more responsive (sensitization)
What are the two types of nociceptive pain?
somatic
visceral
Describe somatic nociceptive pain.
arises from:
-skin, bone, joint, muscle, or connective tissue
described as:
-sharp, hot, stinging, throbbing
localization:
-generally localized with surrounding tenderness
examples:
-fracture, strain, laceration, burn, arthritis
Describe visceral nociceptive pain.
arises from:
-internal organs
described as:
-dull, cramping, colicky, gnawing, aching, squeezing, pulsing
localization:
-poorly localized
examples:
-pancreatitis, appendicitis, PUD, menstrual cramping
What are the steps involved in the pathophysiology of nociceptive pain?
transduction
conduction
transmission
perception
modulation
Describe transduction as the first step in nociceptive pain.
stimuli–>nociceptors which have to distinguish between:
-innocuous stimuli
-noxious stimuli: activate nociceptor to transmit action potentials along afferent nerve fibers to the spinal cord
Describe conduction as the second step in nociceptive pain.
receptor activation involving Na-gated channels
generation of action potentials conducted along afferent A-S and C-nerve fibers to spinal cord
-A-S stimulation=sharp, localized pain
-C-fiber stimulation=achy, poorly localized pain
Describe transmission as the third step in nociceptive pain.
A-S and C-nerve fibers synapse in various layers of the spinal cords dorsal horn
-release excitatory neurotransmitters
N-type voltage-gated Ca channels regulate release of these excitatory neurotransmitters
pain signals reach brain through various ascending spinal cord pathways
pathways ascend and pass impulses to higher cortical structures for further pain processing
Describe perception as the fourth step in nociceptive pain.
pain becomes a conscious experience
occurs in higher cortical structures
physiology of perception not well understood
Describe modulation as the final step in nociceptive pain.
brain and spinal cord modulate pain via numerous ways
strengthened/intensified by additional release of:
-glutamate, substance P
attenuated/inhibited by descending pathways with:
-endogenous opioids, GABA, NE, 5HT
What is the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain?
different from nociceptive pain:
-no noxious stimuli
-result of damage or abnormal functioning of the PNS +/- CNS
What are the two types of neuropathic pain?
peripheral nerve injury
central nerve system injury
Describe peripheral neuropathic pain.
arises from:
-peripheral nerves
described as:
-sharp, shooting/radiating, tingling, burning, freezing, itching
localization:
-generally localized with shooting/radiation up the nerve fibre
examples:
-PHN, diabetic neuropathy, chemo induced
Describe central neuropathic pain.
arises from:
-central nervous system
described as:
-sharp, shooting/radiating, tingling, burning, freezing, itching
localization:
-poorly localized
examples:
-post ischemic stroke, MS
Describe the pathophysiology of nociplastic pain.
tissue or nerve damage:
-may cause both peripheral and/or central changes in neurotransmission
-plus predisposing risk factors
pain circuits rewire themselves:
-neuroplasticity
-produces a mismatch between pain stimulation/inhibition
-increases discharge of dorsal horn neurons
chronic pain:
-patient presents with episodic or continuous pain transmission, hyperalgesia, dyesthesias, allodynia
-pain is often widespread and/or migrating
How long is acute pain?
typically < 3-6 months
What is the cause of acute pain?
tissue damage signaling harm or potential for harm
-serves a useful purpose
-may outlive its biological usefulness and have -ve effects
True or false: acute pain typically does not have an identifiable cause
false
Typically, what kind of pain is acute pain?
usually nociceptive, sometimes neuropathic
What are the symptoms of acute pain?
sharp, dull, shock like, tingling, shooting, radiating, fluctuating in intensity, varying in location
-occur in a timely response with an obvious noxious stimuli
What are the signs of acute pain?
may be no obvious signs
-HTN, tachycardia, diaphoresis, mydriasis, pallor
-comorbidities not usually present
-outcome of treatment often predictable
What are the expected lab test of acute pain?
no specific lab test
pain is always subjective
-best diagnosed based on patient description/history
When is pain management most effective?
when validated and accurate pain assessments are carried out
What are examples of self-rated pain intensity scales?
adult: visual analogue or numeral rating scale
child: faces scale (Bieri or Wong-Baker)
What is the PQRSTU assessment?
provocative/palliative
-what makes it worse/better?
quality/quantity
-what does it feel like? how bad is it?
region/radiation
-where is the pain? does it move around?
severity
-how bad /10?
timing/treatment
-when did it start? constant or episodes? tried anything?
understanding
-what do you think is causing it?
What are the red flags for referral of back pain?
cauda equina syndrome:
-bladder dysfunction
-saddle anesthesia
-dysfunction in legs
-lax anal sphincter
-motor weakness
What is the approach to treatment of acute pain?
- assess patient thoroughly
- compare, contrast, and select treatment
-most effective analgesic with fewest AEs/risk
-lowest dose for shortest duration, scheduled then prn - identify non-pharm and interdisciplinary resources
- educate patient, including setting expectations
- communicate with others and document plans