http://www.news-medical.net/news/20121016/Companionship-can-reduce-nerve-related-pain.aspx
This article suggests that companionship allows us to withstand pain better than if we are isolated or anti-social. Researchers at Ohio State University have found a link between the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and whether or not rats had a companion when put under stress or injured. Mice that were isolated and underwent a nerve damaging procedure tended to have higher IL-1B levels than those of their counterparts. Rats who had a companion and also underwent the same nerve damaging procedure were able to tolerate pain (in this case caused by squeezing their paw) longer than those in isolation. This research suggests that social interaction plays a role in not only behavior but physiological responses as well. This information could be used to target those who deal with nerve pain known as peripheral neuropathy as a consequence of diabetes or spinal cord injury and provide new therapies and treatments.
I found this really interesting. The idea that chronic pain could be better managed by having a companion seems promising for those who have a support system, yet equally unfortunate for those who, for whatever reason, are alone. I would be interested to see if similar results would arise in a study with humans. I'm also curious as to how much withstanding pain for longer in the presence of a companion is affected by social standing within that companionship and who much of it is purely chemical. What do you guys think about the article? Have you experienced instances where you have been injured but were able to mange it better around other people than you would if you were alone? Do you think that social stigma plays a role in the increased ability to withstand pain (ie. not wanting to look weak for stubbing your toe or getting a paper cut in front of your friends, older siblings, or significant other)?
This article is kind of similar with the idea that individuals who have a positive outlook on the progression of their disease usually have a better prognosis than those that don't. Similarly, a support system (family or friends) and the power of prayer (religion in general) have a great effect upon a patient's recovery. Personally, I think it's no surprise that there is also a positive correlation between social support and pain tolerance.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, I work in the kitchen. There, pain is part of the job, be it a burn, a cut, etc. For the most part, my co-workers and I usually shrug off the pain as if it's no big deal. For example, one of my coworkers cut one of their fingers---the wound was pretty deep. He said it was no big deal, but I'm sure that in a solitary setting, his response would have been different.
I too would be interested in the results of a similar study done on humans because this article reminds me of the saying "mind-over-matter." It seems to me that if an individual is around people they are going to want to present themselves as strong. No one wants to look weak to their peers, family, or other loved ones (unless maybe they are striving for attention). With this midset maybe people are able to counteract the effect of pain, blocking the release of IL-1B. Although I do not have research to support it, I do believe that the way we choose our mindset can affect the way our brain and nervous system works.
ReplyDeleteI would also be interested in a study that could analyze how the same individual reacts to a constant source of pain in while they are alone versus when they are in front of a group of people. I also wonder if males and females would have different responses (or levels of response) to a pain stimulus in each of these situation.
I did some looking up on the web and found some very interesting stories that had to do with this topic. Having pets or companions helping reduce nerve pain really is interesting. I wonder why having a companion helps so much biologically. It's true like Kelly stated, sometimes it really is "mind-over-matter".There was a man that was diagnosed with terminal leukemia. He became depressed and lost the will to live. His family got him a dog to comfort him. Even though he was dying he was smiling again. He stopped thinking about dying and started to enjoy living. but to the family's surprise they found out that the cancer just went away after 6 months. What do you guys think of this?
ReplyDeleteI think this article is very interesting and would also like to see a study with humans. I think companionship offers people something to take their mind off pain and something or someone to get better for. I have read how people who are in relationships with their partner are still alive tend to fight sickness more positively than those who do not have their partner alive. This make sense to me because if your partner is not alive people might not want to "battle" as hard because their is not that companionship there wanting them to get better. I think that having a support system of people or even pets that care about you is crucial in times of pain. It is unfortunate that people without this companionship are more likely to have pain in situations. It would be interesting to research if there could be medicine to help people who have this feeling of a support system with those who do not
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this will make sense, but I feel like having a companion around when you hurt yourself is beneficial mostly because they'll be concerned, in an open matter, like asking you if you're alright and/ or freaking out with you, and most people like knowing that someone cares...even in this weird situation. So knowing that someone is around who cares makes how you handle the pain different than if you were by yourself. (I probably worded that very poorly). Also I feel like the way someone would handle the pain depends on the pain (injury, illness, disorder).
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