Pathophysiology and Treatment of Acute, Chronic and Referred Pain

Pathophysiology and Treatment of Acute, Chronic and Referred Pain
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Pathophysiology of Chronic, Acute and Referred Pain
Chronic pain is normally defined as pain which persists the expected time needed for healing of injured body tissues. Chronic pain usually arises from persistent acute pain and is associated with central nervous system both structurally and functionally and hence, requires various therapeutic approaches (Cameron, 2012). Furthermore, the pain is associated with injuries or diseases such as arthritis and diabetes, which results in a change in the physiological properties of the peripheral nervous system. As such, this condition is no longer considered as a symptom but a disease. In most cases, the condition is associated with social, physical, emotional and financial constraints. For example, people suffering from the condition are shown to have financial disabilities due to the high cost of pharmaceutical and medical requirements (Cameron, 2012).
Acute pain is a condition that is commonly associated with a disease or injury which may cause or causes damage to tissues through continuous metabolic disorders, trauma or infections. The condition is described as pain which lasts for twelve weeks or less. Pain associated with the acute pain condition is typically well defined and located (Cameron, 2012). For instance, the superficial skin layer pain is usually sharp and easily located. Treatment of the disease may be either pharmacological or non-pharmacological in this case involving rehabilitation or surgical procedures. The stimulus that triggers the pain is usually associated with an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tone. The aim of acute pain is typically to control the pain, inflammation and to prevent pain aggravations (Cameron, 2012).
On the other hand, referred pain is commonly defined as the pain that occurs at a site remote to the source of injury or disease which may be a muscle or virtual source. For instance, an injury to the spleen may be felt in the left shoulder. As such, the pattern which is commonly referred to as the Kehr Sign is mostly used to identify the seriousness of an injury for proper identification of the best emergency care (Cameron, 2012).
The three forms o...