Does Central pain arises only when the original insult was central False. The term central pain is applied when the generator of the pain is believed to be in the spinal cord or the brain. The original insult may have been peripheral (nerve injury or postherpetic neuralgia), but the pain is sustained by central mechanisms. The basic …
Does Central pain arises only when the original insult was central Read More »
What is meant by breakthrough pain? If a patient has acceptable baseline pain control on a stable analgesic regimen and suddenly develops an acute exacerbation of pain, this is referred to as breakthrough pain. It often occurs toward the end of a dosing interval, because of a drop in analgesic levels (end-of-dose breakthrough pain). “Incident” …
Gate control theory of pain The basic premises of the gate control theory of pain are that activity in large (nonnociceptive) fibers can inhibit the perception of activity in small (nociceptive) fibers, and that descending activity from the brain also can inhibit that perception. Given this construct, it is easy to understand why deafferentation may …
Deafferentation Deafferentation implies the loss of normal input from primary sensory neurons. It may occur after any type of peripheral nerve injury. Deafferentation is particularly common in postherpetic neuralgia and in traumatic nerve injuries. The central neuron on which the primary afferent was to synapse may become hyper-excitable.
What is a lancinating pain? Lancinating pain refers to a sudden, sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensation that occurs along the course of a nerve or in a specific area of the body. It is often described as a brief, intense, and shooting pain. What does its presence imply? Lancinating literally means “cutting.” It is …
Lancinating pain – 6 Interesting Triggering factors and important causes Read More »
What is meant by sensitization? Sensitization is a state in which a peripheral receptor or a central neuron either responds to stimuli in a more intense fashion than it would under baseline conditions, or responds to a stimulus to which it is normally insensitive. Sensitization occurs both at the level of the nociceptor in the …
What are algogenic substances? Algogenic substances, when released from injured tissues or injected subcutaneously, activate or sensitize nociceptors (algos = pain). Histamines, substance P, glutamate, potassium, and prostaglandins are a few examples of algogenic substances.