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Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

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Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
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Pain01:20

Pain

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Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
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Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience &#8211; An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
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Change Pain: Ever Evolving-An Update for 2016.

Joseph V Pergolizzi1,2, Antonella Paladini3, Giustino Varrassi4,5,6,7

  • 1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Pain and Therapy
|October 16, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder for pain management is outdated due to recent advances in pain science. A new international approach is needed to improve patient care.

Keywords:
AnalgesicsChronic painOpioidsPainWHO analgesic ladder

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Area of Science:

  • Pain Management
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Guidelines

Background:

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder, established in 1986, has been the primary framework for pharmacological pain management.
  • Limited drug availability and evolving scientific understanding have rendered the original WHO guidelines obsolete.
  • Significant advancements in pain research and therapeutics over the last 15 years necessitate a revised approach.

Discussion:

  • The existing WHO analgesic ladder requires an urgent review and update.
  • An international advisory board was convened to address the obsolescence of current pain management guidelines.
  • The focus is on enhancing the overall approach to treating patients experiencing pain.

Key Insights:

  • The 1986 WHO analgesic ladder is no longer adequate for current pain management needs.
  • Recent scientific progress in pain understanding and therapy has outpaced the WHO guidelines.
  • A multidisciplinary, international effort is crucial for updating pain management strategies.

Outlook:

  • Future pain management strategies will likely incorporate a broader range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
  • The revised guidelines aim to provide a more comprehensive and effective approach to patient care.
  • Continued research into pain mechanisms and novel therapies will further refine treatment protocols.