900 Min
In Learning
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We feel pain because our body is trying to tell us that something is wrong so that we can take action to prevent further damage. It can be difficult to describe pain as it can be felt anywhere on the body and to varying degrees of severity.
Objectives
This module will tell you how to:
- Recognise different types of pain
- Understand the actions and uses of different types of pain relief
- Know when to refer to the pharmacist.
Pain is categorised differently, depending on how long it lasts:
- Acute pain starts suddenly but is resolved within a short time and is often described as sharp or stabbing. For example, a sprain, headache or toothache.
- Chronic pain is often caused by a long-term condition which gradually gets worse. The pain is unlikely to be resolved quickly and it usually lasts for at least 12 weeks. It may be referred to as throbbing or deep pain. For example, pain associated with arthritis or cancer.
When do we feel pain?
When we are ill or we hurt ourselves, pain signals move through the body in the form of electrical impulses that travel along special nerve fibres to the spinal cord and brain. At the same time, chemicals called prostaglandins are released from tissues around the damaged area, causing inflammation, redness and swelling. They also amplify the pain signals that are sent to the brain.
