Pain and Suffering (Exploration of Pain and Analgesia)

Author: Geng Wenxiu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: Pain and suffering are ubiquitous human experiences. Pain is a peculiar phenomenon; it does not have specialized stimuli or specially developed receptors like vision or hearing, nor can it be accurately measured like them. Pain is a highly complex physiological and psychological process. The intensity of suffering does not depend on the extent of injury; our suffering is more influenced by psychological factors and the socio-cultural environment. Moreover, there is a "gate for pain" in the brainstem, which allows pain signals to either pass through unimpeded or be kept out. It is the regulation at this pain gate that enables us to either endure excruciating pain or bear it with just a frown.