Types of pain Flashcards
1
Q
What is pain (4)
A
- Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong.
- Most pain can be controlled with analgesics or ‘painkillers’.
- Any pain that has started recently is classified as acute pain.
- Pain which has been present for 12 weeks or longer is considered chronic pain.
2
Q
What are the types of pain (7)
A
- Muscular
- Headaches
- Neuropathic
- Dental
- Joint
- Stomach
- Menstrual
3
Q
What are the types of headaches (3)
A
- Tension headaches - most common
- Migraine headaches
- Sinus headaches - caused by inflamed sinuses
4
Q
What are the symptoms of tension headaches (3)
A
- Tightening band of pain around the top of the head.
- Sometimes starts at the neck and works its way upwards.
- Tension headaches can last for minutes through to several days.
5
Q
What are the symptoms of migraine headaches (8)
A
- may have warning signs – ‘aura’.
- Some can see only in black and white,
- others see flashing lights, or zigzag lines.
- go numb on one side of the face, with the numbness spreading to the whole of the same side of the body.
- severe, throbbing headache,
- sensitivity to light and noise,
- nausea and vomiting.
- not everyone will have the same symptoms.
6
Q
What are the symptoms of sinus headaches (2)
A
- Constant, throbbing pain and pressure that can be felt in the eyes, cheeks and forehead at eyebrow level.
- It tends to be worse first thing in the morning.
7
Q
How are tension headaches treated (2)
A
- Analgesics such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Analgesic products such as ibuprofen lysine (a slightly different form of ibuprofen), which claim to be absorbed into the body quickly for faster tension headache relief and ibuprofen liquid capsules
8
Q
How are migraines headaches treated (5)
A
- Treatment of migraine involves managing the symptoms.
- Analgesics - paracetamol,ibuprofenoraspirinare most effective if taken at the first signs of a migraine attack.
- Soluble painkillers are absorbed quicker into the body.
- Prochlorperazine is an anti-sickness medicine to treat nausea (OTC buccal tablet).
- Sumatriptan is an effective treatment option for people suffering from migraine. Taken as soon as possible after the migraine has started; with no more than two tablets to be taken in 24 hours and no more than two tablets to be taken for the same attack.
9
Q
How are sinus headaches treated (3)
A
- Analgesic combined with a decongestant. These are available as either separate or combination products.
- Saline (salt water) nasal sprays or solutions can be used to rinse out the inside of the nose.
- People with high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes can not take the majority of decongestants.
10
Q
What can cause migraines (11)
A
- red wines
- chocolate
- cheese
- eating irregularly
- too much or too little sleep
- hormone changes – for example monthly periods
- combined hormonal contraceptives
- heat
- light
- noise
- stress etc.
11
Q
What causes sinus headaches
A
Congestion in the nose for example, during and after a cold causing the sinuses to become blocked and inflamed.
12
Q
What causes period pain
A
Hormones called prostaglandins cause contraction of the wall of the womb triggering pain.
13
Q
What are the symptoms of period pain (2)
A
- From mild through to excruciating cramping pains
- accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting.
14
Q
How are period pains treated (9)
A
- Aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as naproxen may be more effective than paracetamol as they have anti-inflammatory properties and help to reduce the levels of prostaglandins – the chemical thought to cause period pains.
- Ibuprofen should always be tried first before considering naproxen.
- Naproxen 250mg tablets may be available as a P medicine for the treatment of period pain in women aged between 15 to 50 years.
- Requests for naproxen should be referred to the pharmacist.
- Combination products containing an analgesic plus codeine or dihydrocodeine can be useful for those who find one painkiller ineffective.
- Be careful not to sell aspirin for anyone under the age of 16 years and always check any age restrictions when selling analgesics as they will vary for different products, even if they contain similar ingredients.
- Placing a hot water bottle on the abdomen can help relieve cramps and gentle exercise can also be helpful.
- Codeine causes constipation and should be avoided by sufferers as it may make the pain worse.
- NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone.
15
Q
What are the causes of dental pain (3)
A
- Infections
- damage to teeth
- gum disease
16
Q
What are the symptoms of dental pain (3)
A
- Pains in the mouth
- Pains under the chin
- Pains in the head
17
Q
What treatment is there for dental pain (3)
A
- Ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory action
- paracetamol or ibuprofen combined with either codeine or dihydrocodeine
- The patient needs to be referred to a dentist as soon as they can
18
Q
What are the causes of muscular aches or pains (3)
A
- the results of an injury
- whether the cause is wear and tear, over use
- or a sudden accident which leads to inflammation and swelling causing pain.
19
Q
What are the causes of back pain (4)
A
- Pulling muscles by lifting
- over-stretching
- bending
- gardening etc.
20
Q
When does back pain require referral (4)
A
- severe pain that restricts movement
- persistent pain even when resting
- back pain with difficulty passing urine
- and pain low in the back that is spreading and causing pins and needles or numbness in the legs.
21
Q
What treatment is there for back pain (5)
A
- Keeping active is recommended
- Oral or topical analgesics
- combination products with an analgesic and either codeine or dihydrocodeine may be recommended.
- They could use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel to reduce pain and swelling
- use a heat pack wrapped in a tea towel to relieve joint stiffness or muscle spasms.
22
Q
What are the causes of strains and sprains (6)
A
- Strains – muscle damage
- Sprains – injury to the ligament.
- sporting injuries
- falls
- twists
- slips, etc
23
Q
How are strains and sprains treated (9)
A
- rest
- ice
- compression
- elevation
- supports
- bandages
- topical or oral analgesics
- cold and heat treatments
- heat treatments should only be used after 48 hours of the injury to prevent swelling.
24
Q
What is bursitis (3)
A
- inflammation of the bursa, which is a sac of fluid surrounding and cushioning the joint.
- A bursa acts as a cushion between two surfaces that rub against each other for example bones or muscles, to reduce friction.
- Bursitis can affect any joint, but it’s most common in the shoulders, hips, elbows (eg student’s elbow) or knees.
25
What are the symptoms of bursitis
Inflammation and dull, achy pain of affected joint which is worse when you move it or press it.
26
What are the causes of bursitis (2)
1. Pressure or rubbing when the joint is moving.
2. Also unaccustomed or prolonged contact with the bursa on a hard surface.
27
What treatment is there for bursitis (4)
1. Rest
2. ice
3. topical or oral analgesics
4. Could suggest putting extra cushions around the affected joint while they sleep, to help protect and support it.
28
What are the causes of joint pain (3)
1. Natural wear and tear
2. osteoarthritis
3. rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease when the body attacks the joints)
29
What are the symptoms of joint pain (3)
1. Pain
2. inflammation of the joints
3. reduced movement
30
What treatment is there for joint pain (2)
1. Topical or oral anti-inflammatories
2. strong analgesics
31
What special cautions are there for joint pain (2)
1. Anyone already taking medication for joint pain and asking for OTC products should be referred to the pharmacist.
2. Also, anyone who needs to take OTC analgesics on a long-term basis will need to discuss this with the pharmacist
