Classification of pain by the rate of development
Type of paiClassification
Explosive and excruciating Myocardial infarction (Instantaneous) Perforated ulcer Ruptured aneurism Biliary or renal colic (passage of a stone)
Rapid, severe, and constant Acute pancreatitis (over minutes) Complete bowel obstruction Mesenteric thrombus
Gradual and steady paiAcute cholecystitis (over hours) Diverticulitis Acute appendicitis
Intermittent and colicky paiEarly subacute (over hours) pancreatitis Mechanical small bowel obstruction
Reprinted with permission: McNally PR, Cremins JE. GI and Liver Secrets: Questions You Will Be Asked on Rounds in the Clinic on Oral Exams Philadelphia: Handley & Belfast, Inc.; 1997:374.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.