• WEEK 1. INNATE IMMUNITY AND INFLAMMATION
  • WEEK 2. ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY, LEUKEMIA, AND OTHER BLOOD CELL PATHOLOGIES
  • WEEK 3. HEMOSTASIS AND RED BLOOD CELLS
  • WEEK 4. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
  • WEEK 5. ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
  • WEEK 6. NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
  • WEEK 7. MIDTERM EXAM
  • WEEK 8. DISORDERS OF GI FUNCTION
  • WEEK 9. RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
  • WEEK 10. SKELETAL, VISION, AND HEARING DISORDERS
  • WEEK 11. PAIN, HEADACHE, AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS
  • WEEK 12. RENAL DISORDERS
  • Download
  • Translations
  • 11.1.7

    Types of Pain

    There are many descriptions used to classify pain. Below are some of the most common:

    Image by Becky T BYU-Idaho W20

    Pain can be classified as acute or chronic based on its characteristics. Acute pain has a recent onset and occurs for less than 6 months. On the other hand, chronic pain has a continuous or intermittent onset and has lasted for 6 months or more. Acute pain will activate the sympathetic nervous system fight or flight response to cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, pupillary dilation, and dry mouth. Acute pain is associated with adrenaline while chronic pain is more associated with chronic elevation of cortisol. Acute pain is more associated with anxiety while chronic pain is more associated with depression. Chronic pain also leads to decreased sleep, decreased libido, and appetite changes. The most common cause of chronic pain is headache. Diabetic neuropathy is a common cause of chronic neuropathic pain due to damage to peripheral nerves. It is difficult to treat.

    This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/bio_381_pathophysiol/1117__types_of_pain.