Pain Flashcards
List 5 causes of pain
Inflammation
Neuropathy
Headache
Central pain (spinal cord injuries)
Cancer pain (tissue and nerve damage)
Which system of the brain attaches emotions to pain?
Limbic system
List 7 co-morbidities associated with pain
Difficulty sleeping
Lack of energy
Drowsiness
Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety
Poor appetite
Does the brain have pain sensors?
No, it is the only part of the body without pain sensors
What is nociceptive pain?
Pain from damaged non neural tissue, which activates nociceptors
Give an example of nociceptive pain
Lower back pain
What is neuropathic pain?
Pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system
Give 2 examples of neuropathic pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Trigeminal neuralgia
What is nociplastic pain?
Pain from nociceptors but no evidence of lesion of tissue damage
Give an example of nociplastic pain
Fibromyalgia
What are 6 factors that aid the transduction of pain from receptors?
5HT
Capsaicin
H+
Substance P
Prostaglandins
Na+ and Ca2+ channels
What are 6 factors that aid the transduction of pain from receptors?
5HT
Capsaicin
H+
Substance P
Prostaglandins
Na+ and Ca2+ channels
What receptors do Triptans target to block transduction of pain?
TRPV receptors that respond to heat - capsaicin
What receptors do CGRP antibodies target to block transduction of pain?
Substance P receptors that respond to mechanical stimulus
What receptors do NSAIDS target to block of pain?
Prostaglandin receptors that respond to cold stimulus
Why are NSAIDs always useful in treating pain?
NSAIDs reduce inflammation, and inflammation will always be a component of pain
What receptors does lidocaine target to block the transduction of pain?
Na+ and Ca2+ channels
Why is lidocaine not always useful?
It is non specific so may have other side effects as well as blocking pain
Give 2 examples of NSAIDs
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Name the specific receptors that NSAIDs block
COX1
COX2
Cyclo-oxygenase
Why should patients be wary of stomach problems when taking ibuprofen?
Prostaglandins help production of stomach mucus, so blockage of this will make the stomach more susceptible to damage from stomach acid
Why does paracetamol function as an effective painkiller?
It targets receptors in the spinal cord and the brain
What is a negative factor of paracetamol?
It is metabolised quickly by the liver so has a narrow therapeutic window
Which pain blockers are effective for migraines?
Triptans
CGRP antibodies
Define hyperalgesia
More pain in response to a pain stimulus
Define allodynia
Over sensitivity of pain fibres resulting in pain from a non painful source