Pathophysiology of Pain Flashcards
What pain theory was characterized by phantom pain patients? What is the hallmark of this theory?
Neuromatrix Theory - people become hard-wired to feel pain that is no longer present
What are the three types of pain?
Nociceptive, neuropathic, nocioplastic
What is analgesia?
Absence of pain from a stimulus that would normally be painful
Pain is carried by what types of fibers?
Small, slow fibers
What neurotransmitter prolongs the action of glutamate?
Substance P
What symptoms often accompany widespread, nocioplastic pain?
Fatigue, sleep, memory changes, mood changes
This type of pain is associated with numbness and tingling.
Neuropathic/Central pain
What sensory fibers transmit sharp pain?
A-delta fibers
What fibers can prohibit impulses from small, slow fibers?
Large A-beta fibers
This type of pain occurs when nociceptors are activated in response to tissue damage.
Nociceptive pain
What compounds activate and sensitize nociceptors?
Bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandins, K+
How does the specificity theory characterize pain?
As an independent sensation with specific receptors that connect with specific regions of the brain
A patient states they experience pain when the wind blows against their skin outdoors. What term describes this pain?
Allodynia - pain from a non-painful stimulus
True/False. C fiber signals to WDR neurons can be amplified and produce a greater pain sensation.
True. This phenomenon is called windup
Where do the subjective sensation and modulation of pain take place?
Thalamus & somatosensory cortex
