Pain
Reversing paralysis with restorative gel: Researchers develop implant to regenerate nerves
(Medical Xpress)—Some parts of the body, like the liver, can regenerate themselves after damage. But others, such as our nervous system, are considered either irreparable or slow to recover, leaving thousands ...
Neuroscience
May 13, 2013 |
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New theory on genesis of osteoarthritis comes with successful therapy in mice
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have turned their view of osteoarthritis (OA) inside out. Literally. Instead of seeing the painful degenerative disease as a problem primarily of the cartilage that cushions joints, ...
Arthritis & Rheumatism
May 19, 2013 |
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Psychopaths are not neurally equipped to have concern for others, study shows
Prisoners who are psychopaths lack the basic neurophysiological "hardwiring" that enables them to care for others, according to a new study by neuroscientists at the University of Chicago and the University of New Mexico.
Psychology & Psychiatry
Apr 24, 2013 |
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Restless legs syndrome, insomnia and brain chemistry: A tangled mystery solved?
Johns Hopkins researchers believe they may have discovered an explanation for the sleepless nights associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS), a symptom that persists even when the disruptive, overwhelming nocturnal urge ...
Neuroscience
May 07, 2013 |
4.4 / 5 (5) |
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Study identifies key shift in the brain that creates drive to overeat
A team of American and Italian neuroscientists has identified a cellular change in the brain that accompanies obesity. The findings could explain the body's tendency to maintain undesirable weight levels, rather than an ideal ...
Medical research
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Researchers identify how cells control calcium influx
(Medical Xpress)—When brain cells are overwhelmed by an influx of too many calcium molecules, they shut down the channels through which these molecules enter the cells. Until now, the "stop" signal mechanism that cells ...
Neuroscience
May 09, 2013 |
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Radioactive bacteria targets metastatic pancreatic cancer
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have developed a therapy for pancreatic cancer that uses Listeria bacteria to selectively infect tumor cells and deliver radioisotopes into them. The ex ...
Cancer
Apr 22, 2013 |
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Da Vinci's robot: Surgery is getting a renaissance
(Medical Xpress)—Robots are everywhere these days. They roam Mars, solve Rubik's cubes and vacuum our floors. Now, a robot named da Vinci is helping patients across the Penn State region get the major surgeries ...
Surgery
Apr 25, 2013 |
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Dopamine regulates the motivation to act
The widespread belief that dopamine regulates pleasure could go down in history with the latest research results on the role of this neurotransmitter. Researchers have proved that it regulates motivation, causing individuals ...
Neuroscience
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Heroin vaccine blocks relapse in preclinical study
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have reported successful preclinical tests of a new vaccine against heroin. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, preventing ...
Medical research
May 06, 2013 |
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The biology of fats in the body
When you have your cholesterol checked, the doctor typically gives you levels of three fats found in the blood: LDL, HDL and triglycerides. But did you know your body contains thousands of other types of fats, or lipids?
Medical research
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Thymus teaches immune cells to ignore vital gut bacteria
The tiny thymus teaches the immune system to ignore the teeming, foreign bacteria in the gut that helps you digest and absorb food, researchers say.
Immunology
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Treatment for painful curved penis shows promise
(HealthDay)—Some diseases are especially tough to discuss. When Tony Lee realized that his penis was curving whenever he had an erection—making it painful and difficult for him to have sex—he had no ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
May 08, 2013 |
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Cannabis: Pill better than smoking for pain relief
Marijuana provides greater pain relief when taken in pill form than when it is smoked, according to a study published on Monday that touches on a controversial medical issue.
Psychology & Psychiatry
Apr 22, 2013 |
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Vitamins may ease diabetes symptoms, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Vitamin therapy is a promising avenue to improving symptoms of pain, tingling and numbness in hands and feet typical of diabetic neuropathy, a study by Tulane University researchers concluded.
Diabetes
Apr 29, 2013 |
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Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting alcohol on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone." The International Association for the Study of Pain has a definition that is widely used: "Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage".
Pain motivates the individual to withdraw from damaging situations, to protect a damaged body part while it heals, and to avoid similar experiences in the future. Most pain resolves promptly once the painful stimulus is removed and the body has healed, but sometimes pain persists despite removal of the stimulus and apparent healing of the body; and sometimes pain arises in the absence of any detectable stimulus, damage or disease.
Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the United States. It is a major symptom in many medical conditions, and can significantly interfere with a person's quality of life and general functioning. Psychological factors such as social support, hypnotic suggestion, excitement, or distraction can significantly modulate pain's intensity or unpleasantness.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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