Pain Theory | What is Pain?
Pain can be a very broad subject, but we can define it precisely as a symptom of a physical disorder or injury. Of course, pain is not the only symptom, and calling pain a symptom does not really define it. Perhaps we have to go back to the Latin root of the word, "poena," which means a penalty or a fine. Perhaps that meaning comes much closer to what people feel when enduring pain.
There can be side-effects of pain, physical manifestations like extreme sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, muscular weakness, headache, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. Emotionally, you can become irritable, angry or depressed as a result of pain, or go through mood swings which can include fits of crying and thoughts of suicide. Pain can affect both your work and your recreational life. Interpersonal relationships may suffer. You might have trouble traveling to places you went to before with no problem and you might not be able to take care of simple day-to-day activities like shaving or washing.
Treatment for pain can vary. You may find that simply putting ice on the body location that hurts will reduce inflammation and discomfort. Emotional support from a friend or relative may be sufficient. Or you may need to take some form of analgesic to relieve the pain.
Pain can be divided into two types: acute and chronic.
Acute pain is defined as pain that has lasted less than three months, or as pain that is related directly to the damage of tissue. Acute pain is like an alarm that warns you of damage. Special receptors in the skin and in internal organs called nociceptors signal your brain with messages of acute pain. Normally, your acute pain will be easily diagnosed and you will be treated for the pain in the proper manner. The pain itself is of a type that is called self-limiting, meaning that it goes no further than is necessary
Chronic pain is defined as pain that is lasting longer than three months -- usually, the cause of the pain is not determined. According to statistics from the European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain, for people over the age of 65, chronic pain is suffered by 50% of those in community care settings like nursing home and by 80% of those living at home. The list of conditions that involve chronic pain seems endless:
- Migraine and other headaches
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Pain in the lower region of the back
- Regional pain syndrome
- Visceral pain syndrome
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Neuropathic pain, known better as phantom limb syndrome
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Angina pectoris
- Shingles
- Trigeminal and post-herpetic neuralgia
· Diabetic neuropathy
- Pain after mastectomy
- Pain after thoracotomy
· Osteoarthritis
· Cancer pain
Though chronic pain can be treated by determining the cause, if possible, and by the patient's needs, complete pain relief is not possible in every case. Some of the possibilities that can be used, after a joint decision of the patient and the doctor, are medication, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation, both locally on the region of pain and directly on the brain. The most important factor for a patient in pain is to be educated on whatever condition is causing the pain.
Whether the pain is acute or chronic, one of the choices for relief is Tramadol, a strong pain killer that can be taken at a low regular dosage that will not become addictive. Pain is something that can ruin your life and Tramadol is one of the measure you can use to alleviate the pain and allow you to live the life you want to live. Addiction to pain-killers can happen if dosages are too high, so the use of Tramadol low dosage schedule means little chance of addiction. You should consult with your own doctor on the advisability of taking Tramadol.