Pain: The Culture and Science of Pain

A thorough study of pain is presented in Pain: The Culture and Science of Pain by Connie Faltynek PhD. Looking back at history, the author examines how pain was perceived and treated. She also examines the various medications and alternative treatments currently available. Faltynek explores the many advancements on the horizon in pain management. Additionally, ingrained biases, cultural perspectives, and the complexity of treating pain are discussed. Here is the book's chapter breakdown.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Pain? A Primer

1. Types of Pain

2. Mechanisms of Pain Transmission

3. PAIN: It is All in Your Head!

4. Impact of Emotions and Thoughts on Pain Sensation

5. Conclusion

Chapter 2: Pain and Pain Relief Prior to the 19th Century

1. Ancient Western World

2. Early Christian Era

3. Middle Ages

4. 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries

5. Historical Views About Pain in the Muslim and Jewish Worlds

6. Conclusion

Chapter 3: Pain and Pain Relief in the 19th and 20th Century

1. Early 19th Century

2. Discovery of Anesthesia in the Mid-19th Century

3. Conflict Between Religion and Advances in Medicine in the 19th Century

4. Emergence of "Faith Cure" and the Christian Science Church

5. Conflict Between Religious Views and Pain Relief Continued in the 20th Century

6. Gender Bias in Pain Relief

7. Rise in Use of Opioids for Pain Relief

8. Pain Relief in the Latter Part of the 20th Century

9. Conclusion

Chapter 4: Pain in Animals

1. Historical Views Regarding Animal Pain

2. Surgical and Post-Surgical Pain in Animals in the 20th Century

3. Management of Painful Diseases and Conditions in Animals in the 20th Century

4. Pain Control in Animals in the 21st Century

5. Conclusion

Section II. Treatment of Pain Today

Chapter 5: Pain and Pain Relief in the 21st Century

1. Management of Acute Pain in Hospitals

2. Chronic Pain

3. Pain Management in Infants and Children

4. Diminished Emphasis on Pain Relief in the 21st Century

5. Lack of Availability of Strong Pain-Relieving Medications Worldwide

6. Racial Disparities in Pain Management in the United States

7. Pain Can Not be Measured Objectively

8. Reluctance of Patients to Use Pain-Relieving Medications

9. Limited Pain Education Contributes to Unrelieved Pain

10. Conclusion

Chapter 6: How Good Are Current Medications in Relieving Pain?

1. Medications for Non-Neuropathic Pain

2. Medications for Neuropathic Pain

3. Medications for Migraine

4. Other Pain Medications

5. Conclusion

Chapter 7: Prescription Opioids: Essential Medications for Pain Relief or Evil Drugs?

1. Short-Term Use of Opioids to Relieve Severe Acute Pain

2. Opioids: Important Drugs for Acute Pain, But What About Chronic Pain?

3. Current Opioid Crisis

4. How Great Are the Risks of Taking Opioids for Pain Relief?

5. "Opiophobia"

6. Balancing Risks vs Pain-Relieving Benefits of Prescription Opioids

7. The Criminalization Model and the War on Drugs

8. Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Products

9. Urgent Need to Expand Treatment for Those Addicted to Opioids

10. Conclusion

Chapter 8: Recent Research to Identify New Pain Medications

1. 101 Modern Drug Discovery

2. Marijuana/Cannabis

3. Capsaicin Receptor

4. Sodium Channels

5. Nerve Growth Factor

6. Recent Opioid Research

7. Other Ongoing Research

8. Why So Little Progress

9. Conclusion

Chapter 9: Alternative Methods to Manage Pain

1. Spinal Manipulation and Exercise

2. Acupuncture

3. Electrical Stimulation

4. Nerve Ablation

5. Psychological Methods to Relieve Pain

6. The Placebo Effect

7. Conclusion

Chapter 10: The Future of Pain Management

1. Attempts to Reduce Opioid Abuse

2. Use of Naloxone to Prevent Deaths from Opioid Overdoses

3. Is There a "Magic Bullet" Waiting to be Discovered?

4. Barriers to Use of Alternative Methods to Relieve Pain

5. Efforts to Develop Objective Measures of Pain

6. The Future of Brain Imaging in Pain Management

7. Role of Genetics in Pain and Pain Relief

8. Conclusion: There is Hope for the Future!

My goal is to highlight key points throughout the book that I found to be particularly insightful, helpful, or eye-opening. Due to the large number of highlights throughout the book, I will have to pick and choose what to share.

• Low threshold nerve fibers, known as Aβ fibers, cause a non-painful sensation. High threshold nerve fibers, called Aδ and C fibers, generate pain.

• In physical terms, pain is the result of defined processes. Pain sensations can be affected by one's thoughts and emotional state.

• Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 170-180 CE wrote a treatise entitled Meditations. He wrote, "If you suffer pain becasue of some external cause, what troubles you is not the thing but your decision about it, and this is in your power to wipe out at once. Whosoever therefore is not himself indifferent to pain..., which Univeral Nature employs indifferently, plainly commits sin."

• In the 1980s, newborns undergoing surgery received only minimal anesthesia and were not treated for pain afterwards.

• The late Margo McCaffery was a pioneer within the Pain Management Nursing field in the United States in the later part of the 20th century. She stated, "Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is and exists whenever he says it does."

• Pain was designated as the fifth vital sign by the American Pain Society in 1996. There were four vital signs: pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, and blood pressure.

• Disagreements between patient reports of pain and those assessed by clinicians often lead to questions about the existence of pain.

• Unrelieved pain persists despite significant advancements in many fields of medicine. Pain science lags behind most medical conditions. Pain is rarely adequately relieved, whether it is chronic or acute.

• There are two broad types of pain: neuropathic pain and non-neuropathic pain.

• With regard to opioids the author states, "I would argue that it is extremely reckless to deny prescription opioids to patients with severe pain that has not been relieved by other medications or alternative methods."

• Why are pain medication studies limited? Patients have different types of pain, different types of pain can vary in response to a particular medication, pain is complex, and pain is highly individualized. What works for one person may not work for another with a similar type of pain.

• It is important to make the distinction between drug abuse, drug dependency, and drug addiction.

• Opiophobia - excessive fear of prescrition opioids.

• The only truly new pain medications with a novel mechanism of action are the CGRP antagonists approved for migraines.

• The FDA approved Olinvyk in August 2020. In a hospital or clinic setting, it is used as a short-term IV treatment for moderate to severe pain. The oral compound TRV734 has been entered into clinical trials, but it is currently being used to suppress withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid use.

• Among the alternative methods of managing pain are chiropractic, exercise, massage, acupuncture, meditation, behavioral modification, and electrical stimulation.

• A variety of research is being conducted and new treatments are on the horizon, including brain imaging, genetic testing, personalized treatments, and new medications.

Pain: The Culture and Science of Pain is an excellent book. The book would be beneficial to medical professionals, chronic pain sufferers, those with loved ones suffering from chronic pain, and anyone interested in learning more about pain. As someone who suffers from chronic pain, I learned a great deal from this book. This is definitely a book I'd recommend.

The Sun Never Hurries

The Sun Never Hurries is a wonderful book about spending time with those you love and enjoying the world around you. The importance of taking time to appreciate life's goodness and beauty cannot be overstated. Don't rush things.

There is an hourglass in Papa Jo's house. "The hourglass reminds me to take my time to get things done. Just like each grain of sand, every moment of your day is precious," Papa Jo says. Charlie is a bit puzzled by this. Papa Jo smiles. Charlie will gradually grasp what Papa Jo means as the day progresses.

While Charlie wants to go to a restaurant, Papa Jo has other plans. After entering the kitchen, Papa Jo begins peeling carrots and potatoes. Charlie is interested in peeling too. In no time at all, both of them have a mountain of peels. Papa Jo fills the pot with vegetables and broth. They will soon have tasty soup to enjoy. Charlie thinks it's the best soup ever!

There will be more surprises to come. Papa Jo is taking Charlie to the village for another surprise. As Charlie searches for the car, he wonders where it is. They will be walking, Papa Jo says. Along the way, Charlie is amazed by all of the wildflowers. The wildflowers weren't visible to Charlie while in the car. Charlie was thrilled to discover Papa Jo's surprise for her in the village!

Papa Jo wasn't done yet with their adventures. In the next adventure, Charlie would be left in awe and amazement. In the book, Charlie collects something that connects her to Papa Jo.

In Papa Jo's wisdom, Charlie would understand how slowing down and appreciating life can give you a new perspective on everything. It was a wonderful book. Additionally, the illustrations were beautiful and perfectly complemented the text.

100 Words from the Street

 

The Sesame Street: 100 Words From The Street is to everyone young and old who grew up with Sesame Street. The Table of Contents is broken down to:

YOU

You Are

You Feel

You Grow

You Play

To play is to learn while you have fun. You can play with toys, with friends, or all by yourself!

To read is to look at words and pictures and understand what they mean. Some people use their fingertips to read. Ji-Young and her friend read a book about pirates.

You Think

You Dream

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Your Home

Your Community

Your Neighbors

Compassion is feeling care and concern for someone else and trying to help them.

George showed compassion when he made a yummy soup for Cookie Monster when he was feeling sick.

YOUR WORLD

You Discover

You can observe the world around you by using your senses with the goal of getting a better understanding.

Big Bird observed the other birds on Sesame Street and noticed how they were similar and different.

You Act

You Celebrate

In the book, there is an index that allows you to look up all 100 words discussed. Children develop caring and empathetic characteristics in part through words like these. I believe this is a great book for explaining those words in simple terms. With simple definitions and relatable examples, they will be able to apply these values in a realistic way.

Each of Us is a Miracle

Children will learn from Each of Us is a Miracle that sometimes it takes others to help you realize how miraculous you are. In dissatisfaction with the same old pond and the same old reeds, Frog decided to explore the world. He was soon joined by Mouse. Having seen so much, they ended up back at Frog's house. Mouse and Frog jumped into the water together. Mouse was awestruck with amazement. Suddenly, Frog began to notice things about his home that he had never noticed before. While seated on a lilly pad, they discussed all of the wonderful things that made Frog so special. It was only a friend who could show Frog what a miracle they all were.

This book teaches children about contentment in a wonderful way. Children need only look within themselves to see miracles. I enjoyed this book.   

The Opposite of Depression

I found The Opposite of Depression: What My Work with Suicidal Patients Has Taught Me about Life, Hope, and How to Flourish to be a book filled with information, but no practical advice. My expectation was that the book would provide advice and exercises on how to overcome depression based on personal experiences. It's faith-based, which I love. Despite Scripture being given, it is not accompanied by examples of how you can apply it to your life. It was a book that I struggled with from the very beginning. The first chapter is entitled "Depression's Surprising Gift". Throughout the first pages, there is just a deep dive into depression's horrors. "Unlike most other medical conditions, which may affect one or more parts or systems in the body but leave the mind intact, depression impinges on every aspect of a person: body, mind, and soul..." "Depression is one of the worst states of disease a person can experience, and it has been found to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide."

It keeps going. In my opinion, depression isn't one of the worst diseases. It is indeed very difficult. Even though I've struggled with severe depression most of my life, I can think of many diseases that are worse than depression. There are numerous horrible diseases like Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Cancer, Huntington's Disease, and Lou Gherig's Disease. It is common for diseases to be incurable and to cause painful deaths. Even though depression is debilitating, it can be treated with a wide variety of therapies, medications, meditation and relaxation techniques, exercise, spiritual healing, gut health, and other methods. I am not trying to downplay the severity of depression.

"...we also have a secret weapon: a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)." Despite it being FDA-approved, he fails to inform readers that it doesn't work on everyone. He does not mention that it can permanently alter a person's memory. TMS patients are reporting pretty frightening side effects. It is not risk-free. With therapy, spiritual counseling, holistic practices, and a personalized approach, the author states, "In short, we can radically change people's brain activity in a matter of a few days, restoring them to mental health."

I don't think you should ever promise something this monumental to someone suffering from severe depression. Although this may work for some, it won't work for everyone. I find this disturbing. It's one of the other aspects of the book I dislike. Throughout the book the author brags about his many achievements and talks up his practice. It seemed to me that this book was intended to help those who are depressed.

This is how the book is broken down.

Part 1: Mind

Part 2: Body

Part 3: Soul

I found myself saying out loud so many times while reading, "This would be the logical time to add in a practical exercise." or "Help your readers apply what you have just written to their lives."

I was not impressed with this book.

The Gulag Doctors

 

The Gulag Doctors: Life, Death, and Medicine in Stalin's Labour Camps is a brilliantly researched book by Dan Healey. Because of the disturbing content, this book is a difficult read. Based on interviews conducted with those who lived this fate or their relatives. Between 1930 and 1953, approximately 18,000,000 people were housed in these Russian Labor Camps. This would be referred to as the Purge of 1936 by Stalin. A person who publicly disagreed or was considered a threat would either be executed or sent to a Gulag camp. Innocence was irrelevant.

In the camp system, both free and imprisoned medical workers were forced to work. Prisoners without medical training became apprentices and learned about medicine during their imprisonment.

This is utterly incomprehensible, "The Gulag made some prisoners so desperate to be ill that they literally became mentally ill." There was no compassion for human life. Once, prisoners arrived at the camp dead and frozen solid. "A transport of prisoners arrived with many dead, and he notes how their frozen remains made a grim impression..."

Some prisoners were employed in the mining industry, logging, and oil and gas extraction. Furthermore, they were exposed to radiation, which eventually led to heart problems, cancer, and infections. For furthering medicine, many prisoners were experimented on.

I have just given you a very brief overview of the book. The author did an excellent job gathering the information for this book, as I mentioned earlier. This is a book I would recommend.

All You Need To Know About Dogs

 

This hilarious story is told from the perspective of a cat in All You Need To Know About Dogs by A Cat and Fred Blunt. As soon as the book begins, cat tries to prove to us that dogs are stupid.

It shows how dogs roll around in puddles of poo and jump in them. The dogs sniff each other's butts. Including their own tails, they chase anything that moves!

It's amazing how many types of dogs there are. There are so many different types of dogs. There are tall dogs, BIG DOGS, wrinkled dogs, etc.

The thing about cats is that you always know what you're getting. It doesn't matter where they are, they just lay around. Unless you're talking about TIGERS, of course!

Please accept my apologies. There is one positive aspect of dogs. You can count on them for loyalty! In case of big, scary wild cats, they will protect you. In fact...

It was an okay book. In my opinion, it wasn't the best children's book I've ever read. Personal preference rather than anything against the book. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this book. That being said, I always recommend reading other reviews. One reviewer may find a book inappropriate or unsuitable for children, while another may find it perfectly appropriate. 

American History Stories

American History Stories:101 True and Fascinating Tales of Major Events and People from the United States’ Past is a fascinating collection of stories from colonial America through today. Ten sections comprise the stories. Many stories are included in each section.

Introduction

Section 1 – From the Mystery of Roanoke to a New Nation: Journey through Early American History

This section's seventh story focuses on the Pequot War. It all began with a land dispute between European settlers and Native American tribes. There were three European colonies included: the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony, and Saybrook Colony. On the other side stood the Pequots, a powerful Native American tribe that controlled a vast area in what is now Connecticut. Their ancestral lands were under threat. 1636 marked the beginning of the war. Two exits were available in the Pequot village on the Mystic River. Both exits were blocked by the English, and the village was set on fire. Among the survivors, only the warriors survived. The death toll among Pequot men, women, and children was estimated at 700. It only cost the English 70 lives. Obviously, this had a profound impact on Native American-English relations.

Section 2 – From Wars to Freedom: A Journey through American History from 1754 to 1791

Section 3 – The Expansion of America and the Reform Era

Section 4 – Forging a United Nation: The Crucible of 1850–1877

Abolitionist John Brown attempted to spark the slave uprising of 1859 in Story 33. In spite of his efforts, he failed to gain the support of renown abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. The first victim was a freed Black man who was shot. A fire engine house at an armory was used by Brown to hold several hostages. Eventually, local military raided the house and captured the men. A trial was held and Brown was executed. By fueling fears of uprising, Brown's actions strengthened the belief that slavery needed to be protected even more in the south.

Section 5 – From Rails to Rights: Transformative Events in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Section 6 – From Victories to Superpower: The Transformative Years of 1914–1945 in American History

Section 7 –America’s Journey from 1946 to 1980

The United States is drawn into the Vietnam War in Story 68. During the period 1955-1975. In the struggle between communism and democracy, the United States military offered support to South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam.

Section 8 – Shaping the Nation: From Reaganomics to the Oklahoma City Bombing

Section 9 – A Defining Era: Transformative Events in American History from 2001 to 2021

Section 10 – American Pop Culture: A World of Entertainment

Conclusion

The following are just a few of the stories you'll find in American History Stories. Quite interesting, I thought.

Blue Balloon

Blue Balloon by Elden Friesen tells the story of a blue balloon with grandiose dreams. It is told through the eyes of the balloon, held by a string, waiting for a forever home. On the ceiling of a shop, the blue balloon floats amidst other colorful balloons. It is not long before a party begins. Blue Balloon has always dreamed of being free. Floating freely above the fair's ferris wheel. Laughing and jumping, a little boy with fire red hair has the blue balloon tied to his wrist. Balloon Blue dreams of flying with the birds high above the town. It imagines itself drifting across the stars and moon at night. As day breaks Blue Balloon waves goodbye.

This book captivated me. As I read it, I smiled. Although the book doesn't contain words on every page, the words written along with the illustrations make it unforgettable. I love the vivid colors of the watercolor illustrations. Illustrator and author are the same person. My recommendation for this book is a definite yes.