explain
pain
4
section
73
page
More long-term processes also happen – floods of
sensitivity-enhancing chemicals can swamp the synapse
and some of the incoming neurones can go sprouting.
118
For example, neurones that don’t even carry danger
messages sprout in close to the dangermessenger
neurone so that the chemicals that they release activate
that neurone. Thismeans that just touching the skin or
a slight temperature change, might cause danger
messages to be sent to the brain.
In a way, your brain is being tricked. It is operating on
faulty information about the condition of your tissues.
But remember – your body and brain are acting in your
best interests – it’s to protect you.
Enhanced sensitivity of the alarm system is nearly always
amain feature in persistent pain. Remember that the
pain
is normal, but the processes behind it are altered.
danger enhancing
neurone from brain
·
about 200 of these for one
danger messenger neurone
·
releases excitatory chemicals
into synapse
·
increases activity when brain
concludes more danger exists
excitatory chemicals
·
in blood stream and
released from neurones
neurones from
the tissues
·
transmit danger messages
from danger sensors
danger reducing
neurones from brain
·
about 200 for one danger
messenger neurone
·
releases inhibitory
chemicals into synapse
·
decreases activity
when brain concludes
danger exists
danger messenger
neurone
·
takes danger messages
to brain
·
increased sensitivity to
excitatory chemicals
·
extra sensors for
excitatory chemicals
synapse
