pain receptors
nociceptors
pain from a normal process that results in noxious stimuli being perceived as painful
nociceptive pain
more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since these drugs act by binding to opiate receptor sites in the central nervous system
opiod
amount of stimulation required before a person experiences the sensation of pain
pain threshold
point beyond which a person is no longer willing to endure pain (i.e., pain of greater duration or intensity)
pain tolerance
conscious process of organizing and interpreting data from the senses into meaningful information
perception
sensation of pain without demonstrable physiologic or pathologic substance; commonly observed after the amputation of a limb
phantom pain
phenomenon in which the body physiologically becomes accustomed to an opioid and suffers withdrawal symptoms if the opioid is suddenly removed or the dose is rapidly decreased
physical dependence
episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months
acute pain
a pattern of compulsive use of addictive substances for means other than those prescribed
addiction
drugs typically used for other purposes, but also used to enhance the effect of opioids by providing additional pain relief
adjuvant
temporary flare-up of moderate to severe pain that occurs even when the patient is taking around-the-clock medication for persistent pain
breakthrough pain
episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous
chronic pain
superficial pain usually involving the skin or subcutaneous tissue
cutaneous pain
the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect
dynorphin
morphine-like substances released by the body that appear to alter the perception of pain
endorphins
opioids that are widespread throughout the brain and dorsal horn of the spinal cord and are believed to reduce pain sensation by inhibiting the release of substance P
enkephalins
belief that one's own ideas, beliefs, and practices are best, superior, or most preferred to those of others; using one's cultural norms as the standard to evaluate others' beliefs
ethnocentrism
period in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear
exacerbation
theory that explains that excitatory pain stimuli carried by small-diameter nerve fibers can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried by large-diameter nerve fibers
gas control theory
severe pain that is extremely resistant to relief measures
intractable
process by which the sensation of pain is inhibited or modified
modulation
endogenous opioid chemical regulators that appear to have analgesic activity and alter pain perception
neuromodulators
pain that results as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting abnormal functioning of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS)
neuropathic pain
substances that either excite or inhibit target nerve cells
neurotransmitters
Latin word meaning, "I shall please"; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using it
placebo
pain for which no physical cause can be identified
psychogenic pain
pain in an area removed from that in which stimulation has its origin
referred pain
period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience symptoms of the disease
remission
pain originating in structures in the body's external wall
somatic pain
occurrence of the body's becoming accustomed to an opioid and needing a larger dose each time for pain relief
tolerance
activation of pain receptors
transduction
conduction of pain sensations from the site of an injury or inflammation along clear and unclear pathways to the spinal cord and then on to higher centers
transmission
pain originating in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium, or abdomen
visceral pain