The pathophysiology of Pain and classification of algetic in the viewpoint of Avicenna in the Canon of Medicine

According to Persian Medicine (P.M), Pain is the perception of abnormal physiologic or histologic state which afflicts the body. Pain is perceived as an unpleasant sensation produced by something contrary to the course of nature and this sensation is set up by one of two circumstances: either a sudden change in normal physiologic state (acute dys-temperament) or a loss of tissue continuity (histological damage). Mental Suffering and physical discomfort resulting from pain can lead to low quality of life.Sage physicians have applied variety of methods to eliminate pain throughout the history of medicine.Method:Wehave performed extensive search in the canon of medicine and extracted all drugs and foods with analgesic properties with an essay on their usages and side-effects. The aim of the present article is to provide a descriptive review of pain classification and control based on P.M as well as exploring the pain-killer drugs presented in the canon of medicine.Results:Avicenna (980 –1037 AD), in the Canon of Medicine has described various types of pain and presented algetic factors and different eatio-physio-patholgic patterns about them. He also mentioned 148 herbal, animal and mineral drugs to subside different types of pain. Some of these drugs are well-recognized in the modern phytotherapy and have anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and analgesic properties like Papaver somniferum (opium), Cannabis sativa (Cannabis), Salix alba (willow), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Allium sativum (garlic), Corriandrum sativum (Coriander), Malus orientalis (apple). Avicenna mentioned two mechanisms causing pain: acute dys-temperament or sou-e-mizaj-e- mokhtalif that suddenly changes the normal physiologic state to an abnormal one, i.e. hotter, colder, or drier than the normal state. Another one is loss of tissue continuity that causes different types of pain with different perceptions, which have been described in 15 different types, including compressing, burning, corrosive, dull, fatigue pain, etc.Conclusion:Pain with any mechanism, dissipates the vital force and interfere with functions of the organs. As a principle in treatment rules, any type of pain should be alleviated according to its eatio-physio-patholgic pattern, although many narcotics and analgesics have been suggested to control the pain in critical conditions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Persian Medicine ، pain ، Avicenna ، canon of medicine