What properties characterize A delta and C fibers? A delta fibers are small-diameter (1 to 6 µm), myelinated primary afferent fibers; C fibers are smaller-diameter (1.0 µm) unmyelinated primary afferents. The A delta fibers conduct at velocities between 5 and 25 milliseconds; C fibers conduct at 1.0 µm/sec. Many C fiber nociceptors are polymodal and respond to thermal, …
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What is the basis of the regional classification of pain? The regional classification of pain is strictly topographic and does not infer pathophysiology or etiology. It is defined by the part of the body affected then subdivided into acute and chronic.
What is meant by an etiologic classification? An etiologic classification pays more attention to the primary disease process in which pain occurs, rather than to the pathophysiology or temporal pattern. Examples include cancer pain, arthritis pain, and pain in sickle cell disease. Therapeutically, it is less useful than a pathophysiologic classification.
How is chronic pain classified in cancer patients? Chronic pain in patients with cancer is categorized according to whether it is tumor related, treatment related, or unrelated to the cancer. Tumor-related pain may occur at the site of the primary tumor or at a site of metastasis. Treatment-related pain can be secondary to the use …
How is chronic pain defined? Chronic pain is often defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months or that outlasts the usual healing process. However, the cognitive-behavioral aspect, not duration, is probably the essential criterion of the chronic nonmalignant pain syndrome. Chronic non-cancer-related pain serves no useful biologic purpose.
How is acute pain defined? Acute pain is temporally related to injury and resolves during the appropriate healing period. There is usually no secondary gain on the patient’s part, but social, cultural, and personality factors may play some role. Acute pain often responds to treatment with analgesic medications and treatment of the precipitating cause. Delay …
Temporal classification of pain. What is its shortcoming? The temporal classification of pain is based on the time course of symptoms and is usually divided into acute, chronic, and recurrent. The major shortcoming is that the division between acute and chronic is arbitrary and the period in between, sometimes referred to as subacute pain, is …