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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Might this help us?
        
(Message started by: clarence on Jan 25^th, 2006, 5:25pm)

Title: Might this help us?
Post by clarence on Jan 25^th, 2006, 5:25pm

I just read this, and wondered if it might somehow in the future benefit us, or is it more for chronic back pain, i.e., chronic pain stemming from injury. Somebody more knowledgable than me should know:

Quote:

Science Spots New Cause of Chronic Pain

20 minutes ago

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that could alter pain treatment, British scientists have found that undamaged nerve fibers, not injured ones, cause ongoing spontaneous pain.

The unexpected finding that may help in the development of new treatments for back problems and other conditions that involve chronic pain. Previous research into chronic pain focused on nerve fibers damaged due to injury or illness, and largely overlooked intact nerve fibers.

"The cause of this ongoing pain and why it arises spontaneously was not understood before," Sally Lawson, of the University of Bristol, said in a prepared statement. "Now that we know the type of nerve fibers involved, and especially that it is the undamaged nerve fibers that cause this pain, we can examine them to find out what causes them to continually send impulses to the brain. This should help in the search for new analgesics that are effective for controlling ongoing pain."

The findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Lawson and her colleagues identified nerve cells called nociceptors (damage detectors) that, when activated by disease or injury, send out electrical impulses that are sent to the brain. The faster these undamaged nociceptors fire electrical impulses, the stronger the ongoing pain.

The firing of these nociceptors seems to be caused by inflammation within the nerves or tissues, caused by dying or degeneration of the injured nerve fibers within the same nerve, the researchers said.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about chronic pain.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20060125/hl_hsn/sciencespotsnewcauseofchronicpain

Casey

Title: Re: Might this help us?
Post by BobG on Jan 25^th, 2006, 8:20pm

It's interesting to read. I sure don't know what or how it can be applied to cluster pain but sure hope that future studies in that area will be positive for us. Thanks Casey.

Title: Re: Might this help us?
Post by Kevin_M on Jan 25^th, 2006, 9:03pm

Quote:

Lawson and her colleagues identified nerve cells called nociceptors (damage detectors) that, when activated by disease or injury, send out electrical impulses that are sent to the brain. The faster these undamaged nociceptors fire electrical impulses, the stronger the ongoing pain.

The firing of these nociceptors seems to be caused by inflammation within the nerves or tissues, caused by dying or degeneration of the injured nerve fibers within the same nerve, the researchers said.

Our trig nerve must have damage detectors and sure might send out some fast impulses for some strong pain if some inflammation or malfunctioning signal told them to do so. [smiley=confused.gif] Who knows but it is interesting Casey. :)