Health Care System, Pain, and CAM Review

Vocabulary flashcards based on Chapters 13, 14, and 15 covering health care delivery, pain types and physiology, and complementary and alternative medicine.

Collaborative Care

A cooperative form of health care in which physicians, psychologists, and other providers work together to improve patient care.

Illness Representation

A person’s beliefs about an illness, including its identity, causes, timeline, consequences, and controllability.

Identity (Illness)

The label and symptoms associated with a disease.

Lay Referral System

An informal network of family and friends who provide advice about symptoms and treatment.

Delay Behavior

The tendency to postpone or avoid seeking medical care.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

A condition characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness without significant symptoms.

Malingering

Faking or exaggerating illness to gain external benefits.

Adherence

The extent to which a patient follows medical advice or treatment.

Nonadherence (Noncompliance)

Failure to follow prescribed medical treatment.

Hospitalization

Admission to a hospital for treatment.

Depersonalization (Hospital Setting)

A loss of personal identity due to institutional control.

Informational Control

Providing patients with information about procedures to reduce stress.

Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention (CBT)

A treatment that changes thoughts and behaviors to improve outcomes.

Patient-Centered Care

Health care that respects and responds to patient preferences and needs.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

A U.S. law that expanded health insurance coverage and preventive care.

Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

A group of providers responsible for cost and quality of care.

Clinical Pain

Pain that requires medical attention.

Acute Pain

Short-term pain caused by injury or tissue damage.

Recurrent Pain

Pain that occurs repeatedly over time.

Chronic Pain

Pain lasting longer than $6$ months.

Hyperalgesia

Increased sensitivity to pain.

Electromyography (EMG)

A technique that measures muscle tension.

Autonomic Arousal Indicators

Measures like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure used to assess pain.

Pain Behavior Scale

An observational measure of pain behaviors.

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

A self-report scale rating pain numerically (e.g., $0-10$).

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

A continuous scale for rating pain intensity.

McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ)

A standardized measure assessing sensory and emotional aspects of pain.

Nociceptors

Neurons that detect painful stimuli.

Free Nerve Endings

Receptors that respond to temperature, pressure, and pain.

A-delta Fibers

Large, myelinated fibers that transmit fast, sharp pain.

C Fibers

Small, unmyelinated fibers that transmit slow, dull pain.

A-beta Fibers

Fibers involved in inhibiting pain signals.

Referred Pain

Pain felt in an area different from its source.

Substantia Gelatinosa

A region in the spinal cord where pain signals are processed.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter that increases pain signal transmission.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that enhances pain signaling.

Endorphins

Natural opioid-like substances that reduce pain.

Enkephalins

Endogenous opioids that regulate pain signals.

Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)

A brain region that activates pain inhibition pathways.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

A brain area involved in emotional aspects of pain.

Endogenous Opiate Peptides

Naturally produced chemicals that act like opioids.

Gate Control Theory

A theory stating that a neural gate in the spinal cord controls pain signals.

Transmission Cells

Neurons that send pain signals to the brain.

Central Control Mechanism

Brain processes that regulate pain signals.

Neuromatrix

A brain network integrating sensory and emotional information to create pain experience.

Phantom Limb Pain

Pain felt in a limb that has been amputated.

Stress-Induced Analgesia (SIA)

Reduced pain sensitivity during stress.

Opioids

Drugs that act on the central nervous system to reduce pain.

Nonopioid Analgesics

Drugs like NSAIDs that reduce pain and inflammation.

Prostaglandins

Chemicals that promote inflammation and pain.

Counterirritation

Reducing pain by creating a competing sensation.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Electrical stimulation used to relieve pain.

Biofeedback

A method of gaining control over physiological functions.

Conventional Medicine

Standard medical treatment practiced by licensed professionals.

Evidence-Based Medicine

Use of scientific research to guide treatment decisions.

Osteopathic Medicine

A medical approach emphasizing body structure and function.

Holistic Medicine

Treatment of the whole person (mind, body, spirit).

Whole Person Health

An approach integrating biological, behavioral, and social factors.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Nontraditional treatments used alongside conventional medicine.

Integrative Medicine

Combination of conventional and evidence-based CAM treatments.

Vitalism

Belief in a life force that influences health.

Placebo Effect

Improve due to belief in treatment.

Nocebo Effect

Negative outcomes due to negative expectations.

Spontaneous Remission

Improvement without treatment.

Expectancy Theory

Outcomes are influenced by expectations.

Meaning Response Theory

Healing occurs due to meaning assigned to treatment.

Acupuncture

Insertion of needles into specific points to influence body energy.

Meridians

Energy pathways in the body.

Qi

Vital energy believed to flow through the body.

Hypnosis

A focused state of attention used for pain control.

Meditation

Practices that focus attention and awareness.

Mindfulness Meditation

Awareness of the present moment without judgment.

Transcendental Meditation

Use of a repeated mantra for focused attention.

Tai Chi

A slow, meditative movement practice.

Yoga

A practice combining movement, breathing, and mindfulness.

Chiropractic

Manipulation of the spine to treat disorders.

Massage Therapy

Manipulation of soft tissues to reduce pain and stress.

Naturopathic Medicine

A holistic system using natural remedies.

Probiotics

Beneficial bacteria that support gut health.

Nutritional Medicine

Using diet to improve health.

Megadose Therapy

Use of very large doses of vitamins.

Food Supplement Therapy

Use of supplements to support health.