EMS Patient Assessment - Abdominal Pain

Visceral and parietal pain are two types of pain that originate from distinct structures in the body and are perceived differently by a patient.

Visceral Pain: Visceral pain arises from the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, intestines, and bladder. It is often described as a deep, dull, aching, or cramping sensation.

Visceral pain results from the stimulation of pain receptors within the internal organs themselves. These pain receptors are not as sensitive as those found in the skin and muscles, so visceral pain tends to be less localized and can be challenging to pinpoint. It is often described as a vague, diffuse discomfort and may be difficult to locate precisely.

Visceral pain is typically caused by conditions like inflammation, stretching, or ischemia (lack of blood flow) in the internal organs.

Parietal Pain: Parietal pain, on the other hand, originates from the parietal peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal wall. It is a thin, sensitive membrane with a high density of pain receptors.

Parietal pain is usually sharp, well-localized, and easier to pinpoint compared to visceral pain. It occurs when the parietal peritoneum is irritated, inflamed, or damaged due to conditions like peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum), trauma, or surgery. The pain is often described as more intense and precise than visceral pain.

The key differences between visceral and parietal pain are their origins and the way they are perceived:

• Visceral pain originates from internal organs and is often described as a diffuse, deep, and aching sensation.

• Parietal pain originates from the parietal peritoneum and is typically sharp, well-localized, and easier to identify.

Understanding the distinction between these two types of pain is important for medical professionals when diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, as the quality and location of pain can provide important clues to the underlying issue.

#PreHospitalCare #PatientAssessment #Visceral #Parietal #PainManagement 

#EMS #EMR #EMT #AEMT #Paramedics