Types of Pain and Their Course

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Pathophysiology of Acute, Chronic and Referred Pain
Behavioral Factor
Similarities
Differences
Conclusion
References

Introduction

There are very few persons who can attest to never experiencing pain in their lives, and this is mainly attributed to rare genetic defects. Nonetheless, individuals adopt different behaviors to address their pain. This paper aims to discuss the different types of pain: acute, chronic, and referred pain, and how behavior affects the course of these different kinds of pains.

Pathophysiology of Acute, Chronic and Referred Pain

Acute pain is attributed to the “typical and predictable neurophysiologic responses to noxious mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli” (D’arcy, 2011, p. 6). This kind of pain is time-limited and clears once the noxious stimuli are no longer present. There is a known cause of acute pain, and it is mainly attributed to trauma, medical diseases, or invasive procedures. This kind of pain is localized to the damaged area or that which is around the affected area.

Chronic pain prevails for a prolonged time (3 to 6 months) beyond that expected for healing and repair. It is difficult to comprehend it because it can occur without a traceable injury, and because of its nature, it prevails as a symptom or aids in diagnosis.

Referred pain occurs when pain occurs in an area far away from the affected area. More often, this kind of pain produces symptoms, in comparison to signs, because of the embryological nature of the organic tissues where this pain occurs and originates. In other words, both the affected area and that which the pain emanates are “served by nerves from the same segment of the spinal cord” (Nair & Peate, 2013, p. 442). For example, kidney stones may result in referred pain to the testes and the urinary tract, both of which have a similar embryological origin.

Behavioral Factor

Self-treatment of pain through over-the-counter medication is a behavioral factor that affects the general course of pain. Unfortunately, under-treatment is a common occurrence in this kind of self-treatment of pain. This ineffective treatment of pain can result in adverse effects such as the development of acute pain to chronic pain and increased anxiety, which aggravates the situation. In addition, over-the-counter drugs can interact poorly with other medications and affect the general course of pain (Maletic, Jain & Raison, 2012). According to D’arcy (2011), poor management of acute pain is a major cause of readmission into emergency departments. Pain assessment is an important practice by healthcare professionals because it helps healthcare practitioners to provide the right medication for the pain.

Similarities

A clear understanding of the different kinds of pain is very important so that an individual can use the right medication. Individuals should adhere to given instructions, in case of over-the-counter drugs, and clinicians’ instructions for effectiveness.

Differences

While using the right prescription, acute pain is manageable and can be cleared off easily. However, if the converse occurs, acute pain transforms to chronic pain, which does not respond to treatment at times. Self-prescription of treatment for referred pain can be very detrimental because the nature and origin of the pain may be unknown. Thus, treatment taken based on one’s initiative is not recommended.

Also, whereas the use of medication for acute pain is for a short period, the use of medication for chronic pain is over a long time, and they may require lifestyle modification (Cancer Research UK, 2013). There is an association between chronic pain management and weight gain due to immobility and systemic changes. Lifestyle changes of diet and exercise are, therefore, imperative in response to these side effects.

Conclusion

The use of pain relievers can be a very addictive process that may impair judgment. As a result, an individual may self-prescribe for him/herself even when it is not the right thing to do and without following the instructions. Referred pain can either be chronic or acute, but a thorough investigation of referred pain is crucial. This kind of pain is very critical and requires the counsel of a doctor so that he or she can give the right prescription.

References

Cancer Research UK. (2013). Types and causes of cancer pain. Web.

D’arcy, Y. (2011). Compact clinical guide to acute pain management: An evidence-based approach for nurses. New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Maletic, V., Jain, R., & Raison, C. (2012). 100 Questions and Answers about Chronic pain. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett.

Nair, M., & Peate, I. (2013). Fundamentals of Applied Pathophysiology: An essential guide for nursing and healthcare students (2^nd ed.). West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.

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