Pain: friend or foe

Cent Afr J Med. 1999 Apr;45(4):106-7.

Abstract

Pain, the most urgent of symptoms usually signals the presence of potential or on-going injury to tissue which requires attention. The warning that pain provides is, therefore, a good thing and in a way friendly. When pain continues or resumes after the healing process of injury is complete, it is no longer signalling on-going tissue damage but becomes a disease in its own right. That, in essence, is the presentation of most chronic pain syndromes referred to Pain Clinics for investigation and treatment.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / methods*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Pain / prevention & control*
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Specialization