Pathophysiology of Acute, Chronic, and Referred Pain
Pathophysiology of Acute, Chronic, and Referred Pain
Acute pain occurs abruptly within the neurologic system and is mostly sharp. In most cases, pain serves as an indicator of potential infections or ailments within the body system. The initiation of pain in the body system begins when the peripheral receptors are triggered (McPhee & Hammer, 2010). This leads into unpleasant sensations within the neurologic system. Before reaching the cerebral cortex, these sensations move through the spinal cord. Consequently, the cerebral centers play an instrumental role towards the interpretation of pain within an individual’s neurologic system.
Chronic pain is continual even after injuries have healed. Nociceptive transmission is a crucial element of the pathophysiological framework of chronic pain. This transmission occurs within the dorsal horn and causes the manifestation of pain within an individual’s neurologic system (Huether & McCance, 2012). The functional framework of the nerve fibers is irreversible and this causes the persistence of chronic pain. An individual’s anatomy might have significant implications upon the pathophysiology of chronic pain within the neurologic system.
Referred pain encompasses pain manifested in different parts to the initial stimulus site. In essence, the site of injury is not necessarily the only place affected by referred pain. In contrast to other types of pain, there is no precise framework for explaining the pathophysiology of referred pain (Laureate Education, 2012). However, the most evident mechanism is whereby the sympathetic fibers are followed by the visceral afferent. This forms the framework for painful sensations within the neurologic system.
Similarities
The three forms of pain are characterized by several distinguishing factors. Firstly, all the three types of pain have a point of initiation. In essence, the point of initiation serves as a useful perspective for triggering pain within the entire neurologic system. For instance, the injury site serves as the point of initiation in chronic pain. The second notable similarity between the three types of pain pertains to the involvement of the neurologic system.
The nervous system is an inherent component of the mechanism of pain within an individual’s body system (Porth, 2010). Although pain is manifested in other components of the body system, it starts within the neurological structure. Another similarity evident among the three types of pain involves its implications upon the overall health condition of an individual. The three types of pain can tremendously undermine the functional framework of the entire body system. This might even weaken the capacity of the immune system to respond to external agents.
Differences
Despite the different similarities, it is vital to note that there are various differences between the three types of pains. Firstly, chronic pain is characterized by persistence. Consequently, the pain might be manifested for years. In contrast, the other types of pain do not comprise of such an attribute. Another difference between the pathophysiological frameworks of the three types of pain pertains to the point of stimulation (Copstead, 2010). The three types of pain have different points of stimulation. For instance, referred pain starts from the injury site.
Genetics and Age
Genetics and age are two significant factors that might affect the pathophysiological mechanism of acute, referred and chronic pain. Firstly, the genetic make-up of an individual might affect the persistence of chronic pain in the body (Laureate Education, 2012). Additionally, genetics affect the rate of spread of pain within the neurologic system. On the other hand, age also affects the rate of spread of the three types of pain. Acute pain might be sharper in an older person compared to children.
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