Pain Due to Nerve Injury: The Role of Nerve Growth Factor
Mark J Rowe, Yoshiaki Iwamura in Somatosensory Processing: From Single Neuron to Brain Imaging, 2001
Nerve damage due to trauma or disease often leads to chronic pain, for reasons that are still poorly understood. Nerve damage often results in increased sensitivity to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia) and the perception of innocuous stimuli as painful (allodynia); it may also result in spontaneous pain. In man, these symptoms are referred to as neuropathic pain, or causalgia if the damage is traumatic in origin. Disorders of pain sensation due to nerve damage are common, debilitating and difficult to treat (Kingery, 1997). Animal models of peripheral neuropathy have recently been developed in which the mechanisms underlying hyperalgesia due to nerve injury can be analysed (Bennett and Xie, 1988; Seltzer et al., 1990; Kim and Chung, 1992). These animal models are well established (Bennett, 1993; Seltzer, 1995) and have already provided useful information about the central mechanisms of hyperalgesia (Woolf and Doubell, 1994).
Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Chronic Pain
Andrea Kohn Maikovich-Fong in Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Pain, 2019
Chronic pain, specifically pain that lasts beyond normal healing time or past three to six months, is estimated to directly affect approximately 20% of the population worldwide (Gatchel, Peng, Peters, Fuchs, & Turk, 2007; Treede et al., 2015). “Chronic pain” is a broad term, encompassing a variety of diagnoses that often are classified by etiology (e.g., post-surgical, cancer-related), location (e.g., headache, lower back), or pain type (e.g., neuropathic, musculoskeletal) (Fillingim et al., 2014; Treede et al., 2015). The prevalence of chronic pain in the United States may be even higher, estimated at 19–55% of the population (Gatchel et al., 2007; Kennedy, Roll, Schraudner, Murphy, & McPherson, 2014; Nahin, 2015). This estimate does not account for the additional family members and friends indirectly impacted by a loved one’s pain condition (West, Usher, Foster, & Stewart, 2012). Chronic pain also carries a heavy economic burden, affecting healthcare costs and work productivity, and results in estimated costs as high as $635 billion annually (Gaskin & Richard, 2012).
Outcome measurement in chronic pain
Peter R Wilson, Paul J Watson, Jennifer A Haythornthwaite, Troels S Jensen in Clinical Pain Management, 2008
Very many treatments have been used in patients with chronic pain. Published studies describe techniques varying from the drug treatment of phantom limb pain with anticonvulsants,2[II] to heating vertebral disks to treat back pain,3[II] and from the physical exercise of yoga4[II] to spiritual healing.5[II] It is hardly surprising that interpretation of the results of these individual treatments is difficult for the clinician, even without the added complications of several sequential or concurrent treatments, some of which may be unknown to the treating clinician. Patients naturally demand the best, but many factors are involved in determining what is best. For example, whether the simplicity, safety, and availability of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) outweighs the precise stimulation localization, but inevitable risk of complications with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) cannot be reduced to yes or no. A great deal will depend on the patient and their attitudes to risk and benefit.
Systematic review of topical diclofenac for the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain
Published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2020
Acute pain is usually defined as pain of less than 3 months’ duration. It is often associated with injury, including trauma; surgery; musculoskeletal injuries such as strains, sprains and over-use injuries; or soft tissue injuries such as muscle soreness or cramps.Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting 3 months or more. While there are many types of chronic pain, conditions such as osteoarthritis are treated with topical diclofenac.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease and a leading cause of pain, physical disability and reduced quality of life throughout the world. It is a major part of musculoskeletal disorders, and a major cause of disability in the community5. Osteoarthritis particularly affects older people. Symptoms include pain, tenderness and stiffness in the affected joint, all of which can affect function. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hands and hips6.
Evaluating pain in cerebral palsy: comparing assessment tools using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2019
Verónica Schiariti, Timothy F. Oberlander
Chronic pain in pediatric populations is common, disabling and expensive. Typically, chronic pain is defined as pain lasting at least three months. The prevalence of chronic pain ranges from 11% to 38%, rates are higher in girls and increased with age [1]. Chronic pain has been associated with poor self-rated health; decreased physical functioning, restricted social and school functioning, and increased psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, irritability, and difficulties falling asleep) [2–8]. Importantly, having chronic pain as a child has implications in adulthood, studies showed that children with chronic pain go on to suffer more physical symptoms in adult life, more anxiety and more depression than healthy children [9]. Moreover, chronic pain has detrimental effects on the individual’s personal and social live, also affecting the family environment [10]. Given the complexity of chronic pain, children and youth require interdisciplinary pain assessments and interventions. Notably, the cost of chronic pain in pediatric populations presents a substantial economic burden to families and society [9,11].
Common systemic medications that every optometrist should know
Published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 2022
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition, forcing patients to refrain from engaging in work, social events, and even doctor visits. One in five Australians suffer from chronic pain, generally lasting three to six months.80 Chronic pain can be caused by medical conditions, injury, surgery, or musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis. Risk factors that can lead to chronic pain are physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, and genetic predisposition. A number of health care providers can manage chronic pain, such as general physicians, physical therapists, and social workers. A health care provider may prescribe analgesics for the temporary symptom relief of chronic pain. In 2016, 46% of adults over age 45 were prescribed analgesics. The most commonly prescribed was paracetamol, followed by codeine, aspirin, and ibuprofen.80 Patients may remain on analgesics for several years in order to function with their chronic pain, so optometrists should be cognisant of the long term and cumulative effects of these drugs on the eye and visual system.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Acute
- Chronic Condition
- Analgesic
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Opioid
- Substance Use Disorder
- Mental Disorder