title: Understanding the physiological effects of unrelieved pain.
abstract: Pain produces a physiological stress response that includes increased heart and breathing rates to facilitate the increasing demands of oxygen and other nutrients to vital organs. Failure to relieve pain produces a prolonged stress state, which can result in harmful multisystem effects. Good acute pain management is an essential part of holistic nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Pain Service, Nevill Hall Hospital, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Middleton
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine