Danielle van der Windt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0012
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter aims to explore similarities and differences across different types of pain. It hopes to shed some light on the following questions: Do different people report different types of pain or ...
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This chapter aims to explore similarities and differences across different types of pain. It hopes to shed some light on the following questions: Do different people report different types of pain or do different symptoms co-occur in the same individuals? What are the characteristics of people with multiple pains? Are different symptoms all expressions of the same syndrome, or do they represent separate entities? What are the possibilities for preventing the onset of chronic pain, or its long-term consequences in daily life? The chapter shows that pain, especially multiple pains, are very common in the population. The perception, impact, and prognosis of pain varies widely between individuals and across different groups of people, and seems to depend on a variety of factors. Some of these factors are specific to the type of pain (e.g., age and gender), but most are generically important across different types of pain, and include an individual's history of pain, presence of multiple pains or other physical symptoms, and several psychological and social factors.Less
This chapter aims to explore similarities and differences across different types of pain. It hopes to shed some light on the following questions: Do different people report different types of pain or do different symptoms co-occur in the same individuals? What are the characteristics of people with multiple pains? Are different symptoms all expressions of the same syndrome, or do they represent separate entities? What are the possibilities for preventing the onset of chronic pain, or its long-term consequences in daily life? The chapter shows that pain, especially multiple pains, are very common in the population. The perception, impact, and prognosis of pain varies widely between individuals and across different groups of people, and seems to depend on a variety of factors. Some of these factors are specific to the type of pain (e.g., age and gender), but most are generically important across different types of pain, and include an individual's history of pain, presence of multiple pains or other physical symptoms, and several psychological and social factors.
Clermont E. Dionne
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0005
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter reviews ways in which chronic pain has been measured in epidemiological studies. It summarizes a simple approach which emphasizes the need for core standard definitions to describe pain ...
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This chapter reviews ways in which chronic pain has been measured in epidemiological studies. It summarizes a simple approach which emphasizes the need for core standard definitions to describe pain presence and persistence, i.e., a discussion of the principles underlying work on a core definition of back pain and how they might be rolled out to epidemiological definitions of chronic pain generally.Less
This chapter reviews ways in which chronic pain has been measured in epidemiological studies. It summarizes a simple approach which emphasizes the need for core standard definitions to describe pain presence and persistence, i.e., a discussion of the principles underlying work on a core definition of back pain and how they might be rolled out to epidemiological definitions of chronic pain generally.
Elaine Thomas
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0016
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter reviews the current literature associated with chronic pain in older adults. It focuses on the size, impact, and commonest causes of the problem in the community and primary care; ...
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This chapter reviews the current literature associated with chronic pain in older adults. It focuses on the size, impact, and commonest causes of the problem in the community and primary care; possible explanations for the difference in the pain experience in older adults; projections of the future size of the problem; and suggestions for where best to focus efforts to reduce the problem.Less
This chapter reviews the current literature associated with chronic pain in older adults. It focuses on the size, impact, and commonest causes of the problem in the community and primary care; possible explanations for the difference in the pain experience in older adults; projections of the future size of the problem; and suggestions for where best to focus efforts to reduce the problem.
Julie Bruce
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0019
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter provides a short overview of chronic pain associated with surgery and presents findings from epidemiological studies, mostly using examples from hernia, breast, and thoracic surgery. ...
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This chapter provides a short overview of chronic pain associated with surgery and presents findings from epidemiological studies, mostly using examples from hernia, breast, and thoracic surgery. Persistent pain has been reported after many other procedures, including thoracic, abdominal, gynaecological, orthopaedic, and amputation surgery. Finally, the chapter concentrates on the epidemiology of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP), and thus focuses on aetiological factors and population burden rather than clinical interventions evaluating the efficacy of treatment or management of intractable pain.Less
This chapter provides a short overview of chronic pain associated with surgery and presents findings from epidemiological studies, mostly using examples from hernia, breast, and thoracic surgery. Persistent pain has been reported after many other procedures, including thoracic, abdominal, gynaecological, orthopaedic, and amputation surgery. Finally, the chapter concentrates on the epidemiology of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP), and thus focuses on aetiological factors and population burden rather than clinical interventions evaluating the efficacy of treatment or management of intractable pain.
Peter Croft, Fiona M. Blyth, and Danielle van der Windt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0002
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter begins with a brief review of studies that explore chronic pain as a public health problem. It then discusses the prevalence of self-reported chronic pain, prevalence of chronic pain ...
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This chapter begins with a brief review of studies that explore chronic pain as a public health problem. It then discusses the prevalence of self-reported chronic pain, prevalence of chronic pain based on health care data, global burden of chronic pain, and time trends of pain in populations. Population surveys suggest that self-reported chronic pain occurs to a similar extent in many parts of the world. Chronic pain is emerging as an important component of the global burden of disability. Musculoskeletal pain and headaches dominate in terms of frequency and overall impact, but the more severe end of the spectrum is mostly about multiple pains. There is evidence that the reporting of chronic pain has increased in recent decades.Less
This chapter begins with a brief review of studies that explore chronic pain as a public health problem. It then discusses the prevalence of self-reported chronic pain, prevalence of chronic pain based on health care data, global burden of chronic pain, and time trends of pain in populations. Population surveys suggest that self-reported chronic pain occurs to a similar extent in many parts of the world. Chronic pain is emerging as an important component of the global burden of disability. Musculoskeletal pain and headaches dominate in terms of frequency and overall impact, but the more severe end of the spectrum is mostly about multiple pains. There is evidence that the reporting of chronic pain has increased in recent decades.
Peter Croft, Kate Dunn, Fiona M. Blyth, and Danielle van der Windt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0004
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter draws on all three chapters in the second section of the book (Chapter 5–7) to highlight general points about defining chronic pain as a public health issue. Topics discussed include a ...
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This chapter draws on all three chapters in the second section of the book (Chapter 5–7) to highlight general points about defining chronic pain as a public health issue. Topics discussed include a core definition of chronic pain for public health, expanding the concept of time for chronic pain, expanding the concept of pain, and moving towards measuring risk and defining chronic pain propensity in the whole population.Less
This chapter draws on all three chapters in the second section of the book (Chapter 5–7) to highlight general points about defining chronic pain as a public health issue. Topics discussed include a core definition of chronic pain for public health, expanding the concept of time for chronic pain, expanding the concept of pain, and moving towards measuring risk and defining chronic pain propensity in the whole population.
Peter Croft, Fiona M. Blyth, and Danielle var der Windt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0011
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter presents an overview of Chapter 12–16. The chapters in this section are designed to give empirical flesh to the concepts, ideas, and methods of the previous sections. They each convey ...
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This chapter presents an overview of Chapter 12–16. The chapters in this section are designed to give empirical flesh to the concepts, ideas, and methods of the previous sections. They each convey similar messages about the prevalence of pain in populations: the most common pains overall are musculoskeletal pain and headache; patterns vary with age; pain is generally commoner in women; and multi-site pain is the most common ‘phenotype’ in populations, with chronic widespread pain sitting at one end of the spectrum.Less
This chapter presents an overview of Chapter 12–16. The chapters in this section are designed to give empirical flesh to the concepts, ideas, and methods of the previous sections. They each convey similar messages about the prevalence of pain in populations: the most common pains overall are musculoskeletal pain and headache; patterns vary with age; pain is generally commoner in women; and multi-site pain is the most common ‘phenotype’ in populations, with chronic widespread pain sitting at one end of the spectrum.
Peter Croft, Danielle van der Windt, Helen Boardman, and Fiona M. Blyth
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0026
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This book has argued that, at a population level, the occurrence of chronic pain reflects a combination of the occurrence of diseases and injuries which trigger painful experiences and a propensity ...
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This book has argued that, at a population level, the occurrence of chronic pain reflects a combination of the occurrence of diseases and injuries which trigger painful experiences and a propensity for those experiences to become amplified and chronic. Such a propensity may have a long trajectory over the life-course or arise in the context of the disease or injury. This chapter presents some examples, mainly from prospective cohort studies, which illustrate the potential for prevention, even if there are, as yet, few examples of evidence-based population interventions targeted at reducing chronic pain.Less
This book has argued that, at a population level, the occurrence of chronic pain reflects a combination of the occurrence of diseases and injuries which trigger painful experiences and a propensity for those experiences to become amplified and chronic. Such a propensity may have a long trajectory over the life-course or arise in the context of the disease or injury. This chapter presents some examples, mainly from prospective cohort studies, which illustrate the potential for prevention, even if there are, as yet, few examples of evidence-based population interventions targeted at reducing chronic pain.
Peter Croft, Fiona M. Blyth, and Danielle van der Windt (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Chronic pain is a major cause of distress, disability, and work loss, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent through the general move towards an ageing population, which impacts dramatically upon ...
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Chronic pain is a major cause of distress, disability, and work loss, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent through the general move towards an ageing population, which impacts dramatically upon society and health care systems worldwide. Due to improvements in health care, it is becoming more common for patients to continue living with long-term illness or disease (rather than these being terminal). Yet little attention has been paid to chronic pain as a public health problem or to the potential for its prevention, even though it can be studied and assessed using concepts and ideas from classical epidemiology. This book takes an unusual approach in making a symptom the focus of public health research and policy. Written by leaders in the field of pain, it fills a gap in current literature by presenting chronic pain in terms of cause, impact, consequence, and prevention. It presents individual conditions as examples of chronic pain, together with chapters that provide overviews on the assessment of pain and methodological issues behind population assessment.Less
Chronic pain is a major cause of distress, disability, and work loss, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent through the general move towards an ageing population, which impacts dramatically upon society and health care systems worldwide. Due to improvements in health care, it is becoming more common for patients to continue living with long-term illness or disease (rather than these being terminal). Yet little attention has been paid to chronic pain as a public health problem or to the potential for its prevention, even though it can be studied and assessed using concepts and ideas from classical epidemiology. This book takes an unusual approach in making a symptom the focus of public health research and policy. Written by leaders in the field of pain, it fills a gap in current literature by presenting chronic pain in terms of cause, impact, consequence, and prevention. It presents individual conditions as examples of chronic pain, together with chapters that provide overviews on the assessment of pain and methodological issues behind population assessment.
Peter Croft, Fiona M. Blyth, and Danielle van der Windt
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Chronic pain is common and universal; it occurs at all ages and in all populations and has been reported throughout recorded history. From a public health perspective, chronic pain has a major impact ...
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Chronic pain is common and universal; it occurs at all ages and in all populations and has been reported throughout recorded history. From a public health perspective, chronic pain has a major impact on the physical and mental capacity to function in everyday life, the quality of that daily life, and the economic balance-sheet of populations. This chapter looks into why chronic pain is not more widely recognized as an important public health problem, and whether chronic pain can be framed as a suitable topic for population epidemiology and a public health approach.Less
Chronic pain is common and universal; it occurs at all ages and in all populations and has been reported throughout recorded history. From a public health perspective, chronic pain has a major impact on the physical and mental capacity to function in everyday life, the quality of that daily life, and the economic balance-sheet of populations. This chapter looks into why chronic pain is not more widely recognized as an important public health problem, and whether chronic pain can be framed as a suitable topic for population epidemiology and a public health approach.
Anthony K.P. Jones, John McBeth, and Andrea Power
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0009
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter outlines the ways in which psychological and physical stressors may interact with the pain matrix to generate chronic pain. It then explores how alterations in the molecular response to ...
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This chapter outlines the ways in which psychological and physical stressors may interact with the pain matrix to generate chronic pain. It then explores how alterations in the molecular response to stress may be associated with chronic pain by examining the role of the neuroendocrine system. Finally, to bring these areas into focus and to explore how both the pain matrix and neuroendocrine function may explain the relationship between stress and chronic pain, the chapter presents state-of-the-art data in relation to fibromyalgia, a non-articular rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain (CWP).Less
This chapter outlines the ways in which psychological and physical stressors may interact with the pain matrix to generate chronic pain. It then explores how alterations in the molecular response to stress may be associated with chronic pain by examining the role of the neuroendocrine system. Finally, to bring these areas into focus and to explore how both the pain matrix and neuroendocrine function may explain the relationship between stress and chronic pain, the chapter presents state-of-the-art data in relation to fibromyalgia, a non-articular rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain (CWP).
Peter Croft
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0017
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter presents an overview of discussions in Chapter 18–21. It discusses the diseases contributing to population levels of chronic pain and the impact of pain on chronic disease outcome. It ...
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This chapter presents an overview of discussions in Chapter 18–21. It discusses the diseases contributing to population levels of chronic pain and the impact of pain on chronic disease outcome. It shows that the presence of many chronic diseases is linked to a prevalence of chronic pain higher than in the general population. Prevalence estimates of chronic pain in relation to specific diseases vary from study to study and are likely to reflect differences in definition. However, in studies which have compared people with different diseases, and used a single instrument to do so, prevalence estimates are generally reported to be similar between conditions.Less
This chapter presents an overview of discussions in Chapter 18–21. It discusses the diseases contributing to population levels of chronic pain and the impact of pain on chronic disease outcome. It shows that the presence of many chronic diseases is linked to a prevalence of chronic pain higher than in the general population. Prevalence estimates of chronic pain in relation to specific diseases vary from study to study and are likely to reflect differences in definition. However, in studies which have compared people with different diseases, and used a single instrument to do so, prevalence estimates are generally reported to be similar between conditions.
Fiona M. Blyth, Danielle van der Windt, and Peter Croft
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0022
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter begins with a discussion of the reasons for considering chronic pain as a public health problem. If we accept that it can be conceptualized as such, then the reasons why this matters ...
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This chapter begins with a discussion of the reasons for considering chronic pain as a public health problem. If we accept that it can be conceptualized as such, then the reasons why this matters include: a traditional high-risk, individual-level approach to chronic pain will not succeed in substantially reducing the problem at the population level; important intervention targets will be overlooked if unique population-level risk factors are not identified; and intervention strategies are not being optimized. The chapter then identifies the essential public health considerations to apply to thinking about chronic pain, and the importance of individual prevention.Less
This chapter begins with a discussion of the reasons for considering chronic pain as a public health problem. If we accept that it can be conceptualized as such, then the reasons why this matters include: a traditional high-risk, individual-level approach to chronic pain will not succeed in substantially reducing the problem at the population level; important intervention targets will be overlooked if unique population-level risk factors are not identified; and intervention strategies are not being optimized. The chapter then identifies the essential public health considerations to apply to thinking about chronic pain, and the importance of individual prevention.
Gwenllian Wynne-Jones and Chris J. Main
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0024
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Work is an important component of the public health perspective on chronic pain. This chapter considers work and the working environment as causes of pain; the consequences of chronic pain for work ...
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Work is an important component of the public health perspective on chronic pain. This chapter considers work and the working environment as causes of pain; the consequences of chronic pain for work and working life; and the public health perspective on work and chronic pain.Less
Work is an important component of the public health perspective on chronic pain. This chapter considers work and the working environment as causes of pain; the consequences of chronic pain for work and working life; and the public health perspective on work and chronic pain.
Herta Flor and M. Catherine Bushnell
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198515616
- eISBN:
- 9780191723650
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198515616.003.0013
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Sensory and Motor Systems
This chapter concentrates on the representation of pain in the human brain, covering relevant work from neuroelectric and neuromagnetic source imaging (ESI and MSI), functional magnetic resonance ...
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This chapter concentrates on the representation of pain in the human brain, covering relevant work from neuroelectric and neuromagnetic source imaging (ESI and MSI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) performed in healthy humans during acute pain, as well as studies performed in chronic pain sufferers. The focus is on the central imaging of pain in humans, although animal studies will be included when necessary. The chapter discusses persistent research questions and methodological developments related to imaging the central representation of pain in humans.Less
This chapter concentrates on the representation of pain in the human brain, covering relevant work from neuroelectric and neuromagnetic source imaging (ESI and MSI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) performed in healthy humans during acute pain, as well as studies performed in chronic pain sufferers. The focus is on the central imaging of pain in humans, although animal studies will be included when necessary. The chapter discusses persistent research questions and methodological developments related to imaging the central representation of pain in humans.
Martin Koltzenburg
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198515616
- eISBN:
- 9780191723650
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198515616.003.0005
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Sensory and Motor Systems
Most lesions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS) do not produce chronic pain. Conditions in which damage of the nervous system does cause pain are a paradox as ...
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Most lesions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS) do not produce chronic pain. Conditions in which damage of the nervous system does cause pain are a paradox as impairment of nerve fibres carrying nociceptive information in the PNS or CNS should result in a decrease of pain sensibility (hypo- or analgesia). Thus, the presence of pain after neural injury implies qualitative changes of the neurobiological mechanisms encoding pain. In fact, it is one of the puzzles of pain that lesions of peripheral and central pathways normally signalling pain, rather than those subserving non-nociceptive functions, are the culprit of neuropathic pain. This chapter reviews the neural basis that contributes to this altered pain sensibility in peripheral nerve disease.Less
Most lesions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS) do not produce chronic pain. Conditions in which damage of the nervous system does cause pain are a paradox as impairment of nerve fibres carrying nociceptive information in the PNS or CNS should result in a decrease of pain sensibility (hypo- or analgesia). Thus, the presence of pain after neural injury implies qualitative changes of the neurobiological mechanisms encoding pain. In fact, it is one of the puzzles of pain that lesions of peripheral and central pathways normally signalling pain, rather than those subserving non-nociceptive functions, are the culprit of neuropathic pain. This chapter reviews the neural basis that contributes to this altered pain sensibility in peripheral nerve disease.
Fiona M. Blyth
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0003
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter discusses the demographic aspects of chronic pain. Topics covered include age distribution, gender distribution, socioeconomic status distribution, and implications for prevention and ...
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This chapter discusses the demographic aspects of chronic pain. Topics covered include age distribution, gender distribution, socioeconomic status distribution, and implications for prevention and management.Less
This chapter discusses the demographic aspects of chronic pain. Topics covered include age distribution, gender distribution, socioeconomic status distribution, and implications for prevention and management.
Heiner Raspe
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199235766
- eISBN:
- 9780191594816
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199235766.003.0006
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
To become relevant from a population and social medicine perspective, a chronic disorder and its implications and consequences must become clinically or otherwise visible, interfere with social roles ...
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To become relevant from a population and social medicine perspective, a chronic disorder and its implications and consequences must become clinically or otherwise visible, interfere with social roles and relations, impact on social institutions, and/or elicit organized responses from the health care, social, and/or welfare system. This chapter presents and discusses a limited number of variables characterizing the social implications and consequences of chronic pain. It covers the predicament of chronic pain, using the example of back pain; classifying the impact of chronic pain; and the consequences of the chronic pain syndrome with population impact, using back pain as the example.Less
To become relevant from a population and social medicine perspective, a chronic disorder and its implications and consequences must become clinically or otherwise visible, interfere with social roles and relations, impact on social institutions, and/or elicit organized responses from the health care, social, and/or welfare system. This chapter presents and discusses a limited number of variables characterizing the social implications and consequences of chronic pain. It covers the predicament of chronic pain, using the example of back pain; classifying the impact of chronic pain; and the consequences of the chronic pain syndrome with population impact, using back pain as the example.
David B. Morris
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520208698
- eISBN:
- 9780520926240
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520208698.003.0005
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Medical Anthropology
Pain is no doubt as ancient as illness. Among its other functions and burdens central to the experience of illness, pain serves as the most common symptom that brings patients to doctors. The basis ...
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Pain is no doubt as ancient as illness. Among its other functions and burdens central to the experience of illness, pain serves as the most common symptom that brings patients to doctors. The basis of postmodern medical thinking about pain is a distinction between acute and chronic. Usually a few aspirin tablets will reduce the hurt of acute pain. Chronic pain, by contrast, lingers, torments, and threatens to stay forever. Almost unknown as a diagnosis in medical writings before the twentieth century, chronic pain now grips so many people in the postmodern era that it is commonly and justifiably described as an epidemic. This chapter notes that people need to recognize in what ways its changing social and medical history transforms pain into an emblem of the new world of postmodern illness.Less
Pain is no doubt as ancient as illness. Among its other functions and burdens central to the experience of illness, pain serves as the most common symptom that brings patients to doctors. The basis of postmodern medical thinking about pain is a distinction between acute and chronic. Usually a few aspirin tablets will reduce the hurt of acute pain. Chronic pain, by contrast, lingers, torments, and threatens to stay forever. Almost unknown as a diagnosis in medical writings before the twentieth century, chronic pain now grips so many people in the postmodern era that it is commonly and justifiably described as an epidemic. This chapter notes that people need to recognize in what ways its changing social and medical history transforms pain into an emblem of the new world of postmodern illness.
Min Zhuo
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326697
- eISBN:
- 9780199864874
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326697.003.0006
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Systems
Understanding the neurobiology of sensory synapses in the central nervous system provides us with basic knowledge of physiological and pathological pain, and has the potential to reveal possible drug ...
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Understanding the neurobiology of sensory synapses in the central nervous system provides us with basic knowledge of physiological and pathological pain, and has the potential to reveal possible drug targets for treating chronic pain. Pain-related synapses are found not only in the spinal cord dorsal horn, but also in many cortical areas. More importantly, recent evidence suggests that injury causing chronic pain also triggers long-term plastic changes in sensory synapses, including those in the spinal dorsal horn and frontal cortex. Changes in synaptic plasticity are not just limited in excitatory glutamatergic synapses but are also found in inhibitory synapses. This chapter reviews recent progress in these areas, in particular, integrative physiological investigations of chronic pain. Pain can be divided into two groups: physiological pain and pathological pain. This chapter also discusses peripheral nerves and dorsal root ganglion cells, plastic molecular targets for chronic pain, long-term potentiation in the anterior cingulate cortex, synaptic transmission at the spinal cord dorsal horn, and the role of cortical regions in pain perception.Less
Understanding the neurobiology of sensory synapses in the central nervous system provides us with basic knowledge of physiological and pathological pain, and has the potential to reveal possible drug targets for treating chronic pain. Pain-related synapses are found not only in the spinal cord dorsal horn, but also in many cortical areas. More importantly, recent evidence suggests that injury causing chronic pain also triggers long-term plastic changes in sensory synapses, including those in the spinal dorsal horn and frontal cortex. Changes in synaptic plasticity are not just limited in excitatory glutamatergic synapses but are also found in inhibitory synapses. This chapter reviews recent progress in these areas, in particular, integrative physiological investigations of chronic pain. Pain can be divided into two groups: physiological pain and pathological pain. This chapter also discusses peripheral nerves and dorsal root ganglion cells, plastic molecular targets for chronic pain, long-term potentiation in the anterior cingulate cortex, synaptic transmission at the spinal cord dorsal horn, and the role of cortical regions in pain perception.
