NNCN-Unit1

Vocabulary flashcards defining common medical conditions and adjectives used to describe different qualities and intensities of pain.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder

Sciatica

Pain along the sciatic nerve (lower back $\rightarrow$ leg)

Angina pectoris

Chest pain due to reduced blood supply to the heart

Cluster headache

Severe, stabbing, one-sided pains that occur in short, powerful bursts lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours, typically around the eye or temple

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

Bleeding in the space around the brain

Degenerative arthritis

Joint inflammation caused by wear and tear (osteoarthritis)

Migraine

Moderate to severe, throbbing pain, often on one side, that worsens with activity and is accompanied by light/noise sensitivity, nausea

Tension headache

Mild to moderate, dull aching pain that feels like a tight band or pressure around the entire head

Piercing

A sharp, stabbing sensation, as if pierced by a needle or knife

Scalding / Burning

Pain that feels hot, as if from fire or boiling water

Like a tight band

Pain that feels as if something is tightly pressing around the head

Aching

A continuous pain that is not sharp, often long-lasting

Dull / Persistent / Vague

Pain that is constant, but not sharp; sometimes hard to describe clearly

Excruciating / Thunderclap

Pain that feels very strong and unbearable, like an explosion in the head

Shooting

Pain that moves quickly along a nerve or into a limb

Spasmodic

Pain that comes and goes suddenly, like muscle spasms

Crushing / Gripping

A heavy, squeezing sensation, often felt in the chest

Extremely severe

Pain that is very strong, beyond normal intensity