Pain Flashcards
Where is pain produced?
In the brain!
What is acute pain?
Pain that persists for days to 3 months
What is chronic pain?
Pain that persists for a minimum of 3 months. Could last after injury has healed due to sensitive nerve endings.
How many people suffer from chronic pain?
1 in 5. 1 in 3 over 65 years
What explains the ongoing nature of chronic pain after the injury has healed?
Nerves remain sensitive and deliver ongoing pain despite healing.
How are sensitive nerves associated with chronic pain addressed?
Re-training brain/nervous system. Meds can help yet limited (short-term option). Address thoughts/emotions and impact on the nervous system.
Reduction from what can calm the nervous system and reduce pain sensed?
Stress
What can be increased to reduce pain?
Emotional well-being
Apart from emotions/stress, what other lifestyle factor can influence the sensation of pain?
Diet, smoking, alcohol, drugs
What psychological factors can influence the sensation of pain?
Individual story around pain - meaning attached to pain. Factors present before the pain started - stress, work pressures, relationship issues, self-efficacy related to pain management etc
What lifestyle factors can help manage pain?
Moderate exercise (walking), eating veggies, gardening
What is pain?
Sensations and emotions produced by the brain in response to injury in the body. Uncomfortable sensation.
What are the physical responses to pain?
Tight muscles, compromised mobility, reduced appetite, reduced energy.
What are the emotional responses to pain?
Depression, anger, anxiety/fear
Cognitive function compromised by pain. Could reduce emotional regulation, increase intensity of emotional expression.
What are typical pain-management strategies?
- medication (reduce dose over time)
- surgery - get 2nd opinion
- Modify lifestyle - exercise, diet, drugs, alcohol, smoking (help nerve sensitivity)
- Evaluate/modify life circumstances (reduce stress, psych support)
- acupuncture/massage
- Connecting with family & friends
- CBT
How could a client be impacted by pain in the healthcare setting?
Trouble concentrating
Trouble with their memory/remembering information
Lowered adherence
Lowered mood/anxiety
What does noiceptive mean?
Pain experienced from the site of injury - most common form of pain.
Who developed the Gate Control Theory of Pain?
Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall
What is the Gate Control Theory of Pain?
Neurological mechanism of pain
What percentage of aged care residents experience pain?
80%.
Identify and describe the main components that make up the Neuromatrix Theory:
Inputs come into the neuromatrix from different areas of the brain: cognitive-related brain areas, sensory signals, emotional centres from brain. This data goes into the Neuromatric and is processed (around and around the neuromatrix). Outputs are then produced and sent to brain areas that respond to the processed information: pain perception - sensory, affective and cognitive brain areas, action areas (voluntary/involuntary muscle responses) and stress regulation centres, releasing stress hormones and endorphins (reduce pain experienced).