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PAIN.
Pain is an unpleasant sensation that affects everyone. In contrast to other senses such as vision, pain is unpleasant at threshold (Fields. ... Pain is usually associated with tissue or cell damage, but is also the symptom of many diseases (Keele et al. ... Pain serves as a warning signal against potential or actual damage to tissue cells (White et al. 1955), it prompts the body to react in order to prevent damage (Saunders 1986), signals the body to seek repair and recouperation (Alvares 1999) and to avoid future pain creating behaviours. Therefore pain has an essential function for survival. Furthermore, pain is a state with both physical and psychological aspects involved. This essay will illustrate the physiological aspects and manifestation of the pain sensation and possible methods of alleviation.
The Anatomy Of Pain.
Anatomically, pain is related to other cutaneous (skin) senses such as touch and temperature, which are transmitted by receptors and sensory neurons (Grey 1999). Pain is received by receptors which are endings of sensory neurons called free nerve endings, which serve as pain sensors in the skin, muscles and organs. Pain neurons are of two types; slow-conducting C fibers which are thin and unmyelinated (lack insulating coating, making the fibers sensitive to mechanical, thermal and biochemical stimulation), and faster-conducting A-delta fibers (Grey 1999). ...
When an injury is suffered, two waves of pain are felt: an initial fast, sharp, localised pain to the point of impact, followed by a slow, diffuse, aching pain. Neurons of the A-delta group are responsible for rapid transmission of impulses to the brain, giving rise to the initial ‘sharp’ element of pain, whereas the slow pain is mediated by the C fibers (Bond 1979).
Approximate Word count = 1362
Approximate Pages = 5.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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