Der Internist
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Acute or chronic pain are the most frequent reasons to seek medical help. Primarily acute pain is a symptom and warning sign. However, insufficient treatment of acute pain may induce a change to a chronic long lasting pain illness. ⋯ In this situation pharmacotherapy or any other monotherapy alone is no longer effective. Interdisciplinary treatment is needed. Effective treatment of acute pain to prevent from long lasting pain episodes is an essential and the only way to prevent from enormous financial consequences of chronic pain.
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Despite that many drugs are available for pain treatment, many patients are still suffering because of wrong choice or wrong use of analgesics. Both are determined by the degree and the nature of pain to be treated. ⋯ Their efficiency is outstanding and their side effects are appropriate. However, doctors and nurses are still reluctant to use opioids because of overestimation of respiratory depression and addiction.
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Cancer pain treatment should follow the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. Treatment should be with oral application, regular application times and following the analgesic step-ladder. ⋯ Transdermal application of fentanyl or buprenorphine offer a non-invasive parenteral alternative for patients with stable pain syndromes. Cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol offer a valuable add-on option for cancer patients with refractory pain, spasticity, nausea or appetite loss.
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The interaction between neurons, tissue cells and inflammatory cells is of major importance for the development of pain in the periphery. In this interaction a variety of inhibitory and activating circuits has been identified in recent years. ⋯ Sensitization of spinal nociceptive processing is crucial for the expansion of pain beyond the initially injured site and contributes to chronic pain. Learning processes and extinction of aversive memory are of major importance for the development, but also the therapy of chronic pain states.