Visceral Pain: the Ins and Outs, the Ups and Downs

Overview

Journal Curr Opin Support Palliat Care

Specialties Critical Care
Pharmacology

Date 2012 Jan 17

PMID 22246042

Citations 68

Authors

Shafaq Sikandar

Anthony H Dickenson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: Visceral pain represents a major clinical problem, yet far less is known about its mechanisms compared with somatic pains, for example, from cutaneous and muscular structures.

Recent Findings: In this review, we describe the neuroanatomical bases of visceral pain signalling in the peripheral and central nervous system, comparing to somatic pains and also the channels and receptors involved in these events. We include an overview of potential new targets in the context of mechanisms of visceral pain and hypersensitivity.

Summary: This review should inform on the recognition of what occurs in patients with visceral pain, why comorbidities are common and how analgesic treatments work.

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