Aǧrı : Ağrı (Algoloji) Derneği'nin Yayın organıdır = The journal of the Turkish Society of Algology
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Thoracic epidural anaesthesia is selected usually to provide adequate postoperative analgesia; however with administration of local anaesthetics to epidural space selective sympatolysis ensues. The effects of this transient sympathectomy on cardivascular, respiratory and other systems deserve certainly some interest as it may influence postoperative morbidity or mortality. Thoracic epidural anaesthesia has succesfully been used in cardiac, thoracic and major abdominal surgery. ⋯ Despite the superior quality of pain control, the beneficial aspect of thoracic epidural anaesthesia is not reflected on outcome in meta-analysis. Recent papers has still demonstrated positive effects on each system. So thoracic epidural anaesthesia is increasingly used and it seems that it will be discussed more in near future.
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Primary headaches include common forms such as migraine, tension-type headache, and the less frequent cluster headache. Besides, several uncommon primary headaches were included in the section on 'Cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic neuralgias' (section 3) and 'Other primary headaches' (section 4) in the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II, 2004). Since the prevalences of these uncommon headaches are quite low, datas related to clinical features, physiopathology and management are still controversial. ⋯ In this review, some of the uncommon primary types of headache will be discussed. Even though these headaches are reported seldomly, the prevalences are possibly higher than known. It is of importance to recognize these uncommon disorders, since their management differs from common primary headaches.
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Migraine is an episodic headache disorder accompanied by various neurological, gastrointestinal and autonomic changes. In one fifth of the migraineurs, a neurological disturbance (visual, sensory or motor) appears during or before the development of the headache called migraine aura. ⋯ CSD was proposed to be the underlying phenomenon of the migraine aura as it propagates at a similar velocity with visual scotomata and the transient cortical oligemia seen in migraineurs during the aura phase. This data, enabling a better understanding of migraine pathophysiology, will result in new insights into the treatment of other neurological disorders such as cerebrovascular disorders, transient global amnesia, traumatic brain injury, in whose pathophysiology CSD is supposed to take part, beside the treatment of migraine itself.
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The term adjuvant analgesics describes any drug with a primary indication other than pain, but with analgesic properties in some painful conditions. Adjuvant analgesics often are administered as first-line drugs in the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain. ⋯ Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, antiarrythmics, antihistaminics, NMDA receptor-antagonists, steroids, muscle relaxants, bisphosphonates, and radiopharmaceuticals are adjuvant agents. This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of adjuvant analgesics for the treatment of pain and emphasizes medical dosages, side effects, and drug interactions.
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Tramadol, a centrally acting analgesic, consists of two enantiomers, both of which contribute to analgesic activity via different mechanisms. (+) Tramadol and the metabolite (+) -O- desmethyl-tramadol (M1) are agonists of the mu opioid receptor. (+) Tramadol also stimulates presinaptic release of serotonin and inhibits serotonin reuptake whereas (-) tramadol inhibits norepinephrine reuptake. Thus tramadol enhances inhibitory effects on pain transmission both by opioid and monoaminergic mechanisms. The complementary and synergistic actions of the two enantiomers improve the analgesic efficacy and tolerability profile of the racemate. ⋯ Although trials in literature demonstrate immune-stimulating effects of tramadol, there are also trials suggesting immunesuppressive effects that are lesser than morphine. Owing to its pharmacological properties, tramadol is more appropriate than NSAIDs for patients suffering from gastrointestinal and renal problems. Besides its proven clinical efficacy tramadol is a safe drug as respiratory depression, cardiovascular side effects, drug abuse and dependence are of minor clinical relevance, unlike some other opioids.