Der Schmerz
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may develop following fractures, limb trauma, or lesions of the peripheral or central nervous system. The clinical picture consists of a triad of symptoms including autonomic, sensory, and motor dysfunction. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and symptoms according to the Budapest criteria. ⋯ Distinct methods of physical therapy and pharmacological strategies are the mainstay of therapy. Pharmacotherapy is based on individual symptoms and includes steroids, free radical scavengers, treatment of neuropathic pain, and agents interfering with bone metabolism. In some cases invasive methods may be considered.
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Apart from local inflammation and defects in secretion, central mechanisms are important for pain etiology in chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, centrally acting co-analgetic agents can be used in addition to classical pain medications. Endoscopic interventions are preferred in patients with obvious dilation of the pancreatic duct. ⋯ Primarily the underlying disease needs to be adequately treated. Symptomatic pain management will most likely include treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol as well as occasionally principles of a multimodal pain regimen. For the treatment of arthralgia as well as enteropathy-associated arthritis the same treatment options are available as for other spondyloarthritic disorders.
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Abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures can result in significant acute postoperative pain. Present evidence shows that postoperative pain management remains inadequate especially after "minor" surgical procedures. Various therapeutic options including regional anesthesia techniques and systemic pharmacotherapy are available for effective treatment of postoperative pain. ⋯ Special focus is given to the controversial debate about the indication for epidural analgesia, as well as various alternative therapeutic options, including transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, paravertebral block (PVB), wound infiltration with local anesthetics, and intravenous lidocaine. In additional, indications and contraindications of nonopioid analgesics after abdominal and thoracic surgery are discussed and recommendations based on scientific evidence and individual risk and benefit analysis are made. All therapeutic options discussed are eligible for clinical use and may contribute to improve postoperative pain outcome after abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. It is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, typically associated with altered bowel habits that cannot be explained by structural abnormalities in routine diagnostic workup. Based on the predominant symptom, IBS can be divided into different subtypes: IBS with predominant constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or pain. ⋯ Especially in patients with psychological comorbidities, antidepressants may be used. Modern drug treatments include the GC-C agonist linaclotide in IBS with predominant constipation, the locally acting antibiotic rifaximin in IBS with bloating, and 5-HT3 antagonists in IBS with predominant diarrhea. Psychotherapy should be included in an interdisciplinary approach in refractory cases or in psychological comorbidity.
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Chronic pelvic pain in women represents a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem in the gynecological practice which is always a challenge when dealing with affected women. ⋯ Important diagnostic steps are recording the patient history, a gynecological examination and laparoscopy. Multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches are considered to be very promising. Basic psychosomatic care and psychotherapy should be integrated into the therapeutic concept at an early stage.