Pain

Question 1

What three factors are important in understanding pain?

Answer 1

1. Biomedical (organic pathology and nature of phys experience)
2. Psychosocial (cog, em)
3. Behavioural

Question 2

What is nociceptive pain?

Answer 2

Pain detected in either body’s soft tissues or organs by sensory nerves (called nociceptors)
e.g. fibromyalgia, endometriosis

Question 3

What is neuropathic pain?

Answer 3

Caused by malfunctioning nerves.-> spontaneous transmission of pain signals to spinal cord and brain.
e.g. phantom-limb pain

Question 4

What is psychogenic pain?

Answer 4

cause by psychological disorder

Question 5

What is idiopathic pain?

Answer 5

no known phys or psych cause. Can’t be traced to other types

Question 6

What is the gate-control theory?

Answer 6

Melzack & Wall 1960’s
Pain messages encounter “nerve gates” in spinal cord before reaching brain. Open/close depending on factors. IF get through pain experienced if not may not be experienced

Question 7

What factors may let nerve-gates open/close?

Answer 7

Open: phys factors (bodily injury), em factors (anxiety), behavioural (atening to injury/concentrating)

Close: phys (analgesic), Em (good mood), Behavioural (concentrating elsewhere)

Question 8

What sort of nerve fibres carry pain information?

Answer 8

Small