PAIN MEDICINE
Sickle Cell Disease
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK It is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder where haemoglobin production is abnormal. Normal haemoglobin has two α globin chains and…
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK It refers to psychotherapies which help in the management of chronic pain. The primary aim of this therapy is to…
Biofeedback
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK It is a technique designed to control physiological response. It involves using electronic instruments to measure and feedback the individuals…
Acupuncture
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK Acupuncture (Latin “acus” with a “needle”; “pungere” meaning “puncture through the skin”) has been in use for more than 2,000…
Placebo and Nocebo Effect
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK A single definition of placebo is difficult. It is an intervention with no beneficial or therapeutic effect. Placebo response is…
Miscellaneous Drugs
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK 23.1 Ziconotide (SNX-111) It belongs to ω-conopeptides which are 24–29 amino acid peptides isolated from cone snail venom. It blocks…
Topical Agents
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK 22.1 Capsaicin Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is an active component of chilli peppers. It binds to TRPV1 (transient receptor potential channel) receptors…
Antidepressants
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK 20.1 Tricyclic Antidepressants These are the most effective medications for the neuropathic pain (NNT 3.1). They also help with depression…
Anticonvulsants
(1) Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK These are mainly used for neuropathic pain. Broadly, they are divided into those whose mechanism of action is via alteration…
