Cover Image
QR Code

Physiology and pathophysiology of chronic pain (Part II): how does pain become chronic?

Chronic pain occurs when pain transitions from an acute to a chronic state, especially when acute pain is not effectively managed. In the presence of continuous acute pain, pain processing and pathways gradually undergo several structural and functional modifications in a process known as sensitisat...

Full description

Published in:Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia & Analgesia Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 11 - 15
Main Authors: Isa, A. S., Chetty, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd. Jan/Feb2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=155634882&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 155634882
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        22201181
        GQK4
      jtl: Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia & Analgesia
      issn: 22201181
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: Jan/Feb2022
      vid: 28
      iid: 1
      pid: 51596
      pub: Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd.
      place: , <Blank>
    artinfo:
      ui:
        155634882
        10.36303/SAJAA.2022.28.1.2497
        155634882
      ppf: 11
      ppct: 4
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Physiology and pathophysiology of chronic pain (Part II): how does pain become chronic?
      aug:
        au:
          Isa, A. S.
          Chetty, S.
        affil: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
      sug:
      ab: Chronic pain occurs when pain transitions from an acute to a chronic state, especially when acute pain is not effectively managed. In the presence of continuous acute pain, pain processing and pathways gradually undergo several structural and functional modifications in a process known as sensitisation. These modifications may occur in the peripheral or central nervous system. The consequences of these modifications include decreased pain threshold, increased excitability and increased responsiveness to pain. A combination of all of these changes result in the conversion of acute to chronic pain. This review summarises the pathophysiological alterations that are involved in pain chronification. However, these changes and mechanisms are not as simplistic as presented here, as the mechanisms involved are far more complex. The presentation adopted is for the benefit of a basic understanding and not a comprehensive treatise on chronic pain mechanisms.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N