Discussion 7

Discussion 7

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 2

  1. I know a few people with chronic pain. The people I do know that have it are elderly for the most part. During Jan term, I shadowed a sports medicine doctor, so I saw a lot of patients who deal with chronic pain. Specifically, with their joints. Dr. Agee would always tell them this is due to how “our bodies just wear and tear” and it’s a part of aging.  

  1. Overall, people tend to resort to drugs and alcohol. One of the main ways people tend to deal with chronic pain is with opioids. Which unfortunately has led to the opioid crisis we are faced with today. Another unhealthy coping mechanism is alcohol, because it is a depressant and helps relieve pain. The Ted talk also refers to how chronic pain can continue even if there is no reason for it, because the person is healed. This can be because of psychological reason of someone overthinking their pain and ultimately making it worse. 

  1. Various types of exercise help chronic pain greatly. While, shadowing Dr. Agee he always recommended his patients, if they were able to, attend physical therapy and strengthen the muscles around the area causing their chronic pain. Yoga is also very helpful when dealing with chronic pain, because it gives elasticity to your body and relieves pressure from different joints. A medication that Dr. Agee gave and helps are steroids, especially shots. He also would drain knees and other parts of the body to relieve pressure and allow movement.  

  1. NOP- coding genes found in the amygdala are being targeted in gene- therapy. 

  1. Morphine and codeine can be used, really drugs that share the shape of nociceptin and act like it.  

  1. The Ted talk video refers to various ways psychological factors influence pain. For example, having a support group, like family, greatly helps with pain. As well as, believing if you have control of your pain. It helps not to dwell on your pain.  

Myers, ByWyatt, et al. “The Best and Worst Ways to Cope With Pain - Pain Management Center - Everyday Health.” EverydayHealth.com, 29 June 2012, www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-cope-with-pain.aspx. 
 

“Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain.” Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain | Scripps Research, www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2014/20140108roberto.html. 

TED-Ed. The mysterious science of pain - Joshua W. Pate. TED. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-mysterious-science-of-pain-joshua-w-pate. 

 


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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Discussion 7

by Deleted user -
Hey Carol!
I also met a lot of patients with chronic pain during my e-term internship. It is crazy to think about how many people are living with it! I really like how you mentioned the opioid crisis. I think many people and doctors turn to opioids as an “easy” fix to chronic pain, without properly weighing the benefits to the risks of these drugs, such as the harsh side effects and addictive nature. In terms of gene therapy, I found it really interesting how drugs that act like nociceptin are being developed to treat chronic pain. I think it is very important to develop an alternative to opioids!

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Discussion 7

by Deleted user -
Hi Carol!
I also saw many patients who experienced chronic pain during Jan term. Many of the patients I saw were suffering from back pain. I like how you mentioned the opioid crisis, I think I even had to do some research on that in high school. I think that opioids and alcohol are some of the negative ways to cope with chronic pain. I like how you also mentioned exercise! I did as well in my post! I think that steroid shots are also very helpful. My mom has arthritis in her knee, and she has gotten some steroid shots to help with the pain. I think you did a good job with the forum post and I really enjoyed reading it! I miss you!

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