1. Pain Cole Mahlum

2. Pain There are many possible definitions for pain but a commonly excepted one is: an unpleasant feeling when body tissues are damaged or stressed. There are many possible definitions for pain but a commonly excepted one is: an unpleasant feeling when body tissues are damaged or stressed. Another more open ended definition of pain is “ Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does” was given by Margo McCaffery who was a pioneer in pain management nursing. Another more open ended definition of pain is “ Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does” was given by Margo McCaffery who was a pioneer in pain management nursing. Despite years of medical research pain management is a constant problem in medical fields and pain is the most common reason for doctors visits in the U.S.

3. Pain Pain first begins when body tissues are damaged or subjected to stress in the end organs of sensory nerves. When this occurs chemicals called prostaglandins are released which make the nerve endings more sensitive and the area of injury more susceptible to pain. Pain first begins when body tissues are damaged or subjected to stress in the end organs of sensory nerves. When this occurs chemicals called prostaglandins are released which make the nerve endings more sensitive and the area of injury more susceptible to pain. Pain Nerve Fibers -Large Fibers: These give a fast, bright pain sensation when the body tissue is first damaged. -Small Fibers: These give a slow nagging pain.

4. Sources of Pain Skin Skin -Can be caused by physical or chemical injury or extreme changes in temperature. -Pain associated with damage of the skin and produces a sharp localized pain. -Called superficial somatic pain Tendons, Muscles, and Joints Tendons, Muscles, and Joints -Caused by prolonged muscle contraction or mechanical force. - Pain associated with it is a dull, aching and poorly localized pain. - Called deep somatic pain. Teeth -The teeth are very sensitive with a teeth containing large amounts of nerve fibers. Almost any kind of stimulation applied to the teeth will cause pain.

5. Sources of Pain Cont. Visceral Organs Visceral Organs - This type of pain called visceral pain originates in the visceral organs such as heart, liver, ect.. - Visceral pain is more aching and cramping type of pain. - This type of pain is often felt on the surface of the body even though that’s not where the injury occurred.

6. Sources Grolier Article: Chapman, C. Richard. "Pain." Encyclopedia Americana. 2008. Grolier Online. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0300170-00 Grolier Article: Chapman, C. Richard. "Pain." Encyclopedia Americana. 2008. Grolier Online. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0300170-00http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0300170-00 Medline Plus: Plus:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pain.html Medline Plus: Plus:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pain.html http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_pain/article.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_pain/article.htm