Pain Management Flashcards
What are the two broad categories of pain?
Acute and chronic
What is acute pain?
Pain that serves a protective function due to obvious tissue damage
What is chronic pain?
Pain that has extended beyond the period of healing and serves no purpose
What are the main types of pain?
Nociceptive
Neuropathic
What is nociceptive pain?
Appropriate physiological response to painful stimuli
What is neuropathic pain?
Inappropriate pain response due to nervous system dysfunction
Give some causes of neuropathic pain
Shingles
Surgery
Trauma
Diabetes
Give some examples of non-opioid analgesics
NSAIDs
Paracetamol
How do NSAIDs work?
Inhibit COX-1 causing prostaglandin synthesis to decrease
Give some side effects of NSAIDs
GI irritation
Renal toxicity
How does paracetamol work?
Inhibits central prostaglandin synthesis
What is the main side effect of paracetamol?
Toxic liver damage
Give examples of weak opioids
Tramadol
Codeine
Give examples of strong opioids
Morphine
Oxycodone
How do opioid analgesics work?
Activate the endogenous analgesic system to eliminate the subjective feeling of pain
Reduce ascending pain signal transmission in spinal cord