Background:
Mr. Chin is a new patient to your dental practice. At his first appointment you inform him you would like to ask him some questions about the medical history form he just completed. During the interview you find out he has a history of peptic ulcer disease and is on medication to treat it. He takes ranitidine, 150mg., at bedtime for his ulcer and occasional acetaminophen for pain. He drinks socially, usually wine or beer.
Is there anything else you need to know before you begin his treatment? Is acetaminophen an appropriate pain medication for Mr. Chin to take for pain control? What are the adverse reactions of acetaminophen and other analgesic drugs? Where can you find out this information?
After completing this lesson on analgesic medications, you will have the answers to these questions and more.
Pain
Pain
is a sensation that is a protective reflex for self-preservation. If we
touch something very hot, the pain impulse makes us immediately remove
our hand to avoid burning. The reaction to pain, or the pain threshold
varies in individuals. One patient who has pain following a dental procedure
may experience mild discomfort and another patient undergoing an identical
procedure may complain of severe pain.
Therefore, analgesic therapy
should be selected based on the person’s pain reaction and considering
any other medications or health problems that could interfere or adversely
react with the chosen analgesic.
Components of pain
Therefore, analgesic therapy should be selected based on the person’s pain reaction and considering any other medications or health problems that could interfere or adversely react with the chosen analgesic. Pain has two components: perception and reaction. The physical component of pain is perception and involves the relaying of pain messages from the body to the brain. Reaction, the psychological component of pain, is the patient's emotional response to the pain.
Individual perceptions of pain are fairly uniform; most people agree on what causes pain. But reactions to painful stimuli are widespread and dependent on many variables.
The pain threshold can be influenced by the following factors:
- anxiety
- emotional instability
- fatigue
- age
- sex
- fear and apprehension
- cultural background
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