Pain and Palliative Care Terms

The sensation of pain or other unpleasant feelings in the place of a missing (phantom) limb.

Redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness along a vein, most often in the leg, are the hallmark signs of phlebitis.

A long acting anti-inflammatory taken once a day, which is also why its effects on the stomach accumulate.

A strong alkali used to make soap, and in the laboratory to dissolve skin so that fungus can be seen under a microscope.

Designed around the shape of a calming brain chemical, yet it works nowhere near that chemical's receptors.

An enzyme that speeds up the formation of substances that cause inflammation and pain.

Education about behavior and lifestyle changes to help patients with chronic lung disease decrease breathing problems, return to daily activities, and improve quality of life.

A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the bones.

A substance that acts quickly to treat moderate to severe pain.

A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of skin rash and skin pain in cancer patients.

A method used to reduce tension and anxiety, and control pain.

Relistor is a medication that relieves opioid induced constipation by blocking opioid effects in the gut without reducing pain relief.

A tablet that leaves opioid receptors occupied but unstimulated, taking the reward out of both opioids and alcohol.

Rheumatism is a broad, nonspecific term for pain and stiffness affecting joints, muscles, and related connective tissue, rather than a single diagnosis.

Stiffness that is worst on waking and eases with movement is the pattern separating it from ordinary wear on a joint.

A drug designed to fix one problem that created a larger one, and much of the reason anti-inflammatories now carry heart warnings.

A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.

A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.

A drug used to relieve pain by blocking signals at nerve endings.

The process of applying pressure, friction, temperature change, or chemical substances to the skin to lessen or block a feeling of pain.