(ĐTĐ) – Various techniques are available to determine the cause of pain, including pain measurement tools and X-ray devices. Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and ask about your history of illness, injury or surgery. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to assess the intensity and location of your pain. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination, and may order blood tests or X-rays. Tests used to diagnose the cause of pain…
(ĐTĐ) – The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. This joint is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side…
(ĐTĐ) – Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a fancy way to describe muscle pain. It refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissues. Myofascial pain is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles). Myofascial pain syndrome may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group. In some cases, the area where a person experiences the pain may not be where the myofascial pain generator is located. Experts believe that the actual…
(ĐTĐ) – Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, along with the bones. What Causes Musculoskeletal Pain? The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization. Changes in posture…
(ĐTĐ) – A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring. They are mediators and have a variety of strong physiological effects, such as regulating the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. Prostaglandins are not hormones, but autocrines or paracrines, which are locally acting messenger molecules. They differ from hormones in that…
(ĐTĐ) – A nociceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to potentially damaging stimuli by sending nerve signals to the spinal cord and brain. This process, called nociception, usually causes the perception of pain. History Nociceptors were discovered by Charles Scott Sherrington in 1906. In earlier centuries, scientists believed that animals were like mechanical devices that transformed the energy of sensory stimuli into motor responses. Sherrington used many different styles of experiments to demonstrate that different types of stimulation to…
Pain management will continue to be an important facet of health care as America ‘s baby boomers age and more of them develop chronic illnesses. If you are fighting pain, tell your doctor. There are many pain treatments that can give you relief, and others Baby boomers are getting older, and effective pain treatment is becoming more important all the time — no coincidence there.
Pain management for burns can be difficult since burns differ in type and severity. There are three types of burns: First-degree burns are considered mild compared to other burns. They result in pain and reddening of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis (lower layer of skin). They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Third-degree burns go through the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They result in white or blackened, charred skin…
Everyone experiences pain at one point or another. It often is an indication that something is wrong. Each individual is the best judge of his or her own pain. Feelings of pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant. What Is Acute Pain? Acute pain begins suddenly and is usually sharp in quality. It serves as a warning of disease or a threat to the body. Acute pain may be caused by many events or circumstances, including:…
