Algology (Pain Polyclinic)
What is Algology (Pain Polyclinic)?
The unit in hospitals or other health institutions that diagnoses and treats chronic pain in different parts of the body for various reasons and severe pain of which the cause cannot be found is called an algology (pain) polyclinic.
Algology is the branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating pain experienced for three months or longer, considered within the scope of chronic pain. Algology aims to improve a person's quality of daily life, which is impaired by pain. In the algology units of hospitals and similar health institutions, all kinds of pain in people's bodies are healed through medical intervention.
What Diseases Does Algology (Pain Polyclinic) Treat?
The algology (pain polyclinic) unit is responsible for treating pain in the body, as mentioned above. The types of pain treated in this unit range from low back and back pain to rheumatic pains, from headaches to psychosomatic pains. The diseases that fall under the field of interest of the algology (pain polyclinic) unit are discussed below.
Face and Headaches
Headaches are one of the common complaints that the algology unit deals with. This group's most common types of pain are Tension headaches, migraine, chronic facial and headache types, headaches related to the spine, and facial neuralgia (the most common is trigeminal neuralgia).
Groin and Abdominal Pains
Abdominal and groin pain is another type of pain that falls under the field of algology. Pain in the groin and abdomen is categorized as abdominal pains in internal organs, pinching of nerves to muscles, and reflection pains caused by back and waist pains.
Inguinal pain can occur due to stress, constipation, hernia, spiral use, appendicitis, urinary tract infection, and ectopic pregnancy. On the other hand, abdominal pain can occur for different reasons, depending on the area of pain. In cases where pain affects daily life, a physician should be consulted.
Back and Chest Pains
Back pain is a common complaint in our society, especially among people who work at a desk. The Algology unit is interested in back pain, which may be caused by neck hernia, scoliosis, osteoporosis, heart and lung diseases, and fibromyalgia.
Chest pain, on the other hand, can occur due to reflux, compression of the muscles or ribs, or problems with internal organs in the chest area, such as the heart and lungs.
Pain in the leg and lower back
Chronic low back and leg pain can be felt in the back, waist, and legs. The primary sources of these pains are problems related to the spine, such as herniated discs, sciatica, and disc degeneration. In case of this type of pain, the help of a specialist should be sought, and an application should be made to the algology unit.
Shoulder, Neck and Arm Pains
Medication and physical therapy are used to treat neck, shoulder, and arm pains, usually caused by problems originating from the spine (such as neck hernia and neck straightening). If the patient does not respond to treatment, applying to the algology unit is essential.
Pain Due to Vascular Occlusion
Some pain in the body may occur due to vascular occlusion. Various pains can be seen when the arteries do not carry enough blood to the organs because of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. For example, if the artery to the leg is blocked, symptoms such as leg pain and chest pain result from the blockage of the heart vessel.
Cancer Pains
This type of pain is a common problem that patients with cancer, especially in advanced stages, complain about. Algology and oncology units act together in the process of controlling pain.
Neuropathic Pain Related to Diabetes
Diabetes (diabetes) damages nerve fibers as well as blood vessels. Neuropathic pain symptoms begin to appear in the patient as a result of damage to the nerve fibers.
Pain of Unknown Cause
The algology unit's field of interest includes pains of unknown origin, which can worry many patients. Although it is difficult to find the cause of this type of pain, it is possible to diagnose it with interventional methods. To determine the source of the pain, a catheter is placed in the nervous system using imaging methods. Thanks to this method, the cause of the pain is found.
In summary, the types of pain treated by the algology (pain polyclinic) unit are explained below:
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Wrist pain (such as carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Cancer Pain
- Rheumatic Diseases
- Shingles pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Neck Pain
- Back pain
- Low Back Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Hip, knee, ankle and foot pain
- Shoulder, arm and hand pain
- Pain after neck and waist hernia surgery (These pains may differ from previous ones.)
- Diabetic neuropathy (burning, electric shock sensation, and stinging in the hands and feet that occur in people with diabetes)
- Sciatica (Pain in the "sciatic nerve," the longest and thickest nerve that comes out from between the vertebrae in the lumbar region and extends to the heel)
- Pain after trauma or fracture
- Pain that does not subside after any surgical procedure and starts to become chronic
- Psychosomatic pain (It can be seen as a reflection of psychological disorders in the body.)
