Pain - patho Flashcards
Nociceptors
nerve fibers that respond to noxious stimuli, response to anything that has broken down tissues
Spinothalamic tract
directs sensory neuronal impulses from the spinal cord up through the brainstem to the hypothalamus. the axons cross over to the other side of the spinal cord before they reach the brain
Neurotransmitters
excitatory or inhibitory chemical mediators that are released from one neuron to stimulate another
Endogenous opioids
natural analgesic neurochemicals that inhibit pain sensation by binding to pain receptors
Addiction
impaired control over drug use, compulsive use of a drug, craving of a drug, continued use despite harm
Tolerance
a state of adaption in which chronic exposure to a drug causes gradual decrease in results over time
Physical dependence
a state of adaption manifested by a drug withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug, administration of an antagonist
Prostaglandins
made at the site of injury, enhance pain due to inflammation
Neuropeptides
non-endogenous opioids
Pain
an unpleasant sensation that can range in discomfort
Transduction
afferent neurons, tissue damage activates nerves
Transmission
a/c fibers relay pain signals
Perception
interpretation of pain
Gate control theory
pain is thought of as being controlled by a gate in the central nervous system (when the gate is open pain is felt)
What natural hormone can close pain gates
endorphins
Neuromatrix theory
there is a matrix of neurons in the brain that is capable of generating pain in the absence of signals from sensory nervous (accounts for phantom pain)
Acute pain
sudden, <6 months, decreases over time
Chronic pain
> 6 months, pain does not go away or diminish, fatigue
Neuropathic pain
abnormal pain processing due to damage to nerves, can be referred
Cutaneous pain
superficial somatic
Deep somatic pain
poorly localized pain that affects bones, joints, muscles, skin, connective tissue
Visceral pain
deep, acute pain rising from internal organs
Referred pain
pain in an area different from its point of origin
Phantom pain
pain felt in something that is not present
At what age is the nociceptor system functional
20-24 weeks
What ages have a lower pain tolerance
children
OLDCART
onset, location, duration, characteristics, aggravating factors, relieving factors, treatment
