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Scope of the Pain Problem

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Controlled Substance Management in Chronic Pain

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Abstract

This chapter presents an overview on the significance of chronic pain within the population and presents the basic rationale for using opioid medications as treatment. During the course of the discussion, definitions of chronic pain and associated phenomena are explained and reinforced, as well as exploring the various risk factors, prevalence, and economic burden resulting from chronic pain states. The basic anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the pain pathways are introduced to lay the foundation for understanding the analgesic effects of opioid medications. Concepts including opioid tolerance and addiction are defined and outlined. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the current trends and pitfalls in utilizing opioids, while trying to optimize their role in the treatment for chronic pain states.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    Steven Chinn

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Pain Center, 3400 Bainbridge Ave, LL400, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    Karina Gritsenko

  3. Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Louisville, 2831 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Louisville, KY, 42003, USA

    Laxmaiah Manchikanti

Authors
  1. Steven Chinn
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  2. Karina Gritsenko
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  3. Laxmaiah Manchikanti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karina Gritsenko .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Shrewsbury, New Jersey, USA

    Peter S. Staats

  2. Comprehensive Pain Medicine, Pompano Beach, Florida, USA

    Sanford M. Silverman

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Chinn, S., Gritsenko, K., Manchikanti, L. (2016). Scope of the Pain Problem. In: Staats, P., Silverman, S. (eds) Controlled Substance Management in Chronic Pain. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30964-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30964-4_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-30962-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30964-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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