Publisher's Synopsis
If you've ever touched a hot stove, you know pain. Pain is a signal from our body that something is not right. Pain receptors in our bodies send electrical messages to the spinal cord and brain, which we interpret as pain. In certain situations, you are able to retract from pain to stop the hurt. In most cases, however, the pain is either short-lived (acute) or ongoing (chronic).Medically, pain can be a signal for another condition. It can be due to a physical injury, a malignant disease, or an emotional upset. Most types of physical pain can be treated with pain relievers, but it's important to use these safely. What kinds of pain medications are there? Analgesics such as acetaminophen or paracetamol are used to treat mild or moderate pain, and can also be used to reduce temperature in fevers. Narcotic analgesics such as codeine can be used alone or in combination with other analgesics for stronger pain, such as dental pain, menstrual pain or migraines. Short-term use of these medication is important. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including aspirin) are used to reduce pain associated with inflammation, such as sports injuries, and can also be used to relieve fever.Acetaminophen, the NSAIDs ibuprofen or naproxen, and aspirin are all available over-the-counter (OTC).Pain results from a variety of pathological processes. It is expressed differently by each patient depending on cultural background, age, etc. It is a subjective experience meaning that only the individual is able to assess his/her level of pain. Regular assessment of the intensity of pain is indispensable in establishing effective treatment.
