Cathy M Russo, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
Published online: April 2001
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0002205
Pain is an unpleasant sensation coupled with individualized unpleasant emotions. It is easier to treat acute pain than chronic pain because chronic pain can lead to maladaptive behaviour. Chronic pain is best controlled with multidisciplinary pain management.
Keywords: acute pain; chronic pain; pain pathways; nociceptors; neurotransmitters; neuropathic pain; pain management; analgesic agents
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Figure 1. Second-order neurons. DRG, dorsal root ganglion. Courtesy of William G Bose, reproduced by permission.
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Figure 2. Excitatory neurotransmitters inhibit the firing of second-order neurons. Courtesy of William G Bose, reproduced by permission.
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