Pain

episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months

a pattern of compulsive use of addictive substances for means other than those prescribed

drugs typically used for other purposes, but also used to enhance the effect of opioids by providing additional pain relief

pharmaceutical agent used to relieve pain

temporary flare-up of moderate to severe pain that occurs even when the patient is taking around-the-clock medication for persistent pain

episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous

superficial pain usually involving the skin or subcutaneous tissue

the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect

morphine-like substances released by the body that appear to alter the perception of pain

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

period in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear

theory that explains that excitatory  pain stimuli carried by small-diameter nerve fibers can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried large-diameter nerve fibers

severe pain that is extremely resistant to relief measures

process by which the sensation of pain is inhibited or modified

endogenous opioid chemical regulators that appear to have analgesic activity and alter pain perception

pain that results from an injury to or abnormal functioning of peripheral nerves or the central nervous system

substances that either excite or inhibit  target nerve cells

pain receptors

more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since these drugs act by binding to opiate receptor sites in the central nervous system

amount of stimulation required before a person experiences the sensation of pain

point beyond which a person is no longer willing to endure pain (ex. pain of greater duration or intensity)

conscious process of organizing and interpreting data from the senses into meaningful information

sensation of pain without demonstrable physiologic or pathologic substance; commonly observed after the amputation of a limb

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

latin word meaning, "i shall please"; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using it

pain for which no physical cause can be identified

pain in an area removed from that in which  stimulation has its origin

period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience symptoms of the disease

pain originating in structures in the body's external wall

occurrence of the body's becoming accustomed to an opioid and needing larger dose each time for pain relief

activation of pain receptors

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

pain originating in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium, or abdomen