Why does PAIN occur? Understand the Mechanism of Pain

Pain is an unpleasant and distressing physical sensation caused by disease or injury, which induces hurt and anxiety in those suffering from it.
There are many different manifestations of pain, ranging from short term (acute pain) to long term (chronic pain). Other classifications include pain in the internal organs (visceral pain), injured tissue (inflammatory pain), nerves (neuropathic pain), etc.

The reason for the occurrence of pain depends on the cause and kind of pain being experienced. In most cases, pain acts as a warning sign that the body has been afflicted by a disorder of some sort, which may have arisen due to internal sickness or external wounding. Acute pains are generally cured on their own through rest or simple medication. Chronic pains, on the other hand, are more complicated in nature and the treatment requires more elaborate diagnosis.

The mechanism of pain

Pain is an extremely personal and subjective experience and affects each individual to varying degrees. The pain signals, which can arise in any part of the body, travel through the spinal cord to the brain along thousands of specialized nerves and nerve fibres. In the brain, it is processed in the centres associated with anxiety, emotions, memory, appetite, etc. Signals and pain inputs are then returned from the brain to the spinal cord, which may heighten or diminish pain.

In some cases, pain may also be induced by damage to the brain and spinal cord, which happens after a stroke.
A constant barrage of pain signals may cause the cells at the end of nerve fibres to become over-sensitized. This is known as 'wind-up' and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain that occurs even though the root of the problem has been identified and treated.

The causes and effects of pain differ from case to case depending on the signals received by the brain and its interpretation. It affects the individual's day to day activities and if persistent, can also have a harmful impact on mental health and psychosis. Pain is always handled, diagnosed and treated differently in all patients by drawing out the best possible solution to the problem.





Why does PAIN occur? Understand the Mechanism of Pain

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, the endometrium grows outside (endometrial implant). It commonly involves ovaries, bowel or tissues lining your pelvis. The main symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. While chronic pain exists throughout, it tends to aggravate during menstruation and / or sex. Though the cause is not entirely clear, women with a family history of the condition need to be extra cautious. Endometriosis is normally detected by its symptoms combined with a medical imaging. Though the growth is not generally cancerous, a biopsy is recommended to eliminate doubts. 

The condition of endometriosis is attached with social and psychological effects as it affects a woman's child bearing ability. Most minds race anxiously as to what the surgeon might find and will your body heal after the procedure. Here are some tips to prepare for your endometriosis laparoscopy

 Before the surgery: read up as much as possible about your condition and note down questions you want to ask your doctor. Get details about the entire procedure and how the doctor is treating your specific case. Having knowledge will help you stay calm and focused. Next, gear your home for the process. Stock your fridge with quick heat home made meals. It's best for you and the family to have healthy food than the store bought preservative laden food. Clean your home, change your sheets and purchase some loose fit clothing for later use. Last but not the least, stock up on some reading material that will come handy during your rest period. 
 On day of surgery: do not eat or drink anything from 12 midnight until the time of your surgery. You may also need the unpleasant enema procedure during your prep. Remove your nail polish and leave your jewellery, watch and valuables at home. Shower and get to the hospital early to get on with the forms you'll need to fill. The procedure requires anesthesia so do discuss your allergies or any concerns you may have with this aspect of the procedure. Once you are set with you iv and anesthesia, the doctor takes over to do what they do best cure you.
 The procedure: a small incision is made near the belly button and the abdomen is filled with co2 gas which lifts it away from other organs. During the laparoscopy, the doctor examines the pelvic organs, looking for obvious and atypical endometriosis lesions as well as endometriomas (endometriosis'filled cysts, adhesions, and scarring. He may then remove the lesions to send to a lab for biopsy
 After surgery: you'll most likely wake up groggy in the recovery room after your surgery. You may feel some pain as you come around but if it's a day procedure, you'll be able to leave as soon as you feel ready. 

Although pregnancy may temporarily suppress the symptoms of endometriosis, it does not eradicate the disease. The symptoms will almost always return after the baby is born. If you are suffering from this painful condition and want to seek help, you can consult here.

How To Prepare For Your Endometriosis Laparoscopy

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, commonly called PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs(uterus,fallopian tubules ovaries &cervix). PID is one of the most serious complications of a sexually transmitted disease in women: It can lead to irreversible damage to the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other parts of the female reproductive system, and is the primary preventable cause of infertility in women.

Causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria move from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix
Most cases of PID are due to the bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea. These are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The most common way a woman develops PID is by having unprotected sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection.

However, bacteria may also enter the body during some surgical or office procedures, such as:

 	Childbirth
 	Endometrial biopsy
 	Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD)
 	Miscarriage
 	Therapeutic or elective abortion

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease may include:

 	Pain in your lower abdomen and pelvis
 	Heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
 	Irregular menstrual bleeding
 	Pain during intercourse
 	Low back pain
 	Fever, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting
 	Painful or difficult urination

PID may cause only minor signs and symptoms or none at all. Asymptomatic PID is especially common when the infection is due to chlamydia.

Other symptoms that may occur with PID:

 	Bleeding after intercourse
 	Chills
 	Fatigue
 	Frequent or painful urination
 	Increased menstrual cramping
 	Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting
 	Lack of appetite
 	Nausea, with or without vomiting
 	No menstruation
 	Painful sexual intercourse

Diagnosis

 	Pelvic ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create images of your reproductive organs.
 	Endometrial biopsy. During this procedure, a small piece of your uterine lining (endometrium) is removed and tested.
 	Laparoscopy. During this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, lighted instrument through a small incision in your abdomen to view your pelvic organs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis Of It!

Pelvic or abdominal pain is a pain that occurs below a woman's belly button. The pain can usually occur due to their periods or menstruation. Pelvic pain can be acute or chronic and varies from woman to woman. Acute means that you are having this pain for the first time. Chronic means that pain has been a problem for a long time may be more than six months. Pelvic pain is more common in women than in men.

Causes of Chronic Female Pelvic Pain:
The commonly known causes of pelvic pain are a urinary disorder, such as bladder or kidney problems, a bowel problem or a problem with the reproductive system which includes the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries. Scar tissue in the pelvic area after an infection or surgery can also lead to such pain. At times physical or sexual abuse is also attributed to such a pain.

How to diagnose chronic female pelvic pain:
You should always see a doctor if you are not sure of what is causing the pain. The doctor will ask questions regarding your periods, urine and bowel movements and about general symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting.

Next, the doctor will examine your abdomen and may examine you internally if necessary. The doctor may ask you to have a urine test done which can be tested for infection. If you have symptoms of vaginal discharge or other related symptoms the doctor may take some vaginal swabs. A pregnancy test may be advised. The doctor may ask you to undergo a routine ultrasound scan to diagnose problems such as ovarian cysts.
If the first tests don't find a cause, you may have other tests that show pictures of the organs in your belly. These may include Transvaginal ultrasound, MRI, CT scan of the pelvis.
You may also have to undergo a minor surgery called laparoscopy which is basically a surgical diagnostic procedure which is used to examine the organs inside the abdomen.

Treatment:
You will be treated for the particular problem that causes pelvic pain. Some common treatments include:

Prescribing birth control pills or hormone treatment for problems related to your periods
You might have to undergo a surgery to remove a growth, cyst, or tumor
Medicine to treat the problem, such as an antibiotic for infection or medicine for irritable bowel syndrome
You can try some home remedies as well-
Try nonprescription medicine, such as ibuprofen
Apply heat on the lower abdomen or the area where you feel the pain
Lie down and elevate your legs by placing a pillow under your knees to reduce the back pain
You can go in for some relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga and some breathing exercises as well.

How To Cure Pain In Pelvic & Abdominal Area?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to the infection that occurs in the female reproductive organs. It happens when sexually transmitted bacteria infect the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes on spreading from the vagina. Generally, the cervix plays the role of preventing the bacteria from entering the vagina and infecting the reproductive organs. But when the cervix becomes exposed to an STD, it loses its power to put a stop to the spread of these microorganisms to the reproductive organs.

What causes this condition?
STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia have been found to be responsible for about 90% of PID cases.

Some of the other causes include
- Abortion
- Childbirth
- Pelvic procedures

The condition is only detected later in life when you face difficulty in getting pregnant or have chronic pelvic pain complaints. If you experience symptoms like vomiting, high fever, pain in the lower abdomen and instances of fainting, you should immediately seek a doctor.

What puts you at risk for PID?
Certain factors may put you at a higher risk for PID and these are:

- Instances of sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia (an STD that can occur from anal, oral or vaginal sex) and gonorrhea (a condition that causes discharge from the vagina or urethra) can make you prone to developing PID.

- Douching on a regular basis can increase your risk of PID as it disrupts the equilibrium of good and bad bacteria in your vagina, and may hide the symptoms of the condition as well.

- Even a previous history of PID can increase your chances of having another episode of PID.

- Compared to older women, teenagers who are sexually active are more prone to developing PID.

- Having multiple sexual partners can also put you at a greater risk for PID and STDs.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'

Could you be at a risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

If there is a recurrent pain in the lower pelvic and the lower abdomen region of the body, chances are you might be suffering from pelvic pain. In women, severe pelvic pain can be a warning sign of some internal damage in the reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tube, uterus, and vagina) present in the pelvic region or the digestive system of the body. Although not common in men, pelvic pain might be indicative of an infection or severe pain in the colon region or the pelvic bones. Pelvic pain might be acute or chronic in nature and the pain might spread to the thighs and buttocks of the body.

The causes of pelvic pain differ among the genders, which are as follows:
1. For women, pelvic pain can be an indication of more serious disorders in the internal reproductive organs such as uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer and other pelvic inflammatory diseases (when the sexually transmitted bacteria spread to the reproductive organs and causes infections).
2. In women, pelvic pain might also occur due to endometriosis (a disorder wherein the internal endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus resulting in severe pain), adenomyosis (a disorder wherein the endometrial tissues which line the wall of the uterus start growing within the uterus), severe pain during ovulation and miscarriages.
3. The causes of pelvic pain in both men and women include sexually transmitted diseases, a disorder in the pelvic region or the bladder, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, colon cancer, and chronic hernia.

If you suffer from the following symptoms, chances are you might be suffering from pelvic pain:
1. Severe pain in the hips and the groin
2. Sudden fever along with the presence of blood in the stool.
3. Severe menstrual pain
4. You might feel severe pain while urinating or in the middle of a sexual intercourse
5. Bloody vaginal discharge might be indicative of pelvic pain in women
6. Recurring episodes of constipation or diarrhoea
7. Pain resulting from stress and intense physical movements

Treatment
If the pain is chronic, doctors might suggest prescribed a dosage of birth-control pills, antibiotic (especially for blood in the stool and pain due to infection) and anti-depressants. In extreme conditions, the doctor might prescribe laparoscopic surgery (operation by making minor incisions performed far from the actual source).

Can Severe Menstrual Pain be a Sign of Pelvic Pain?

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