Pain

Definition

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It serves as a warning signal to the body that something is wrong.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pain can be classified into acute and chronic types based on its duration and underlying cause.
2. Nociceptive pain results from tissue injury, whereas neuropathic pain arises from nerve damage.
3. The perception of pain is modulated by various neurotransmitters, including substance P, glutamate, and endorphins.
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat mild to moderate nociceptive pain by reducing inflammation.
5. Opioids are potent analgesics used for severe pain but have a high potential for addiction and side effects like respiratory depression.

Review Questions

• What are the main differences between nociceptive and neuropathic pain?
• How do NSAIDs alleviate pain at the physiological level?
• Why must opioids be administered with caution despite their effectiveness in treating severe pain?

Related terms

Analgesics:

Medications designed to relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.

Nociceptors: Sensory receptors that detect signals from damaged tissues and relay this information to the brain.

Endorphins:

Natural peptides produced by the body that act on the nervous system to reduce the perception of pain.