Bone Pain Health Article

Calcitonin

—A hormone produced by the thyroid that causes a reduction of calcium ions in the blood.

Cognitive distraction and reframing

—Techniques to teach the patient to focus on things not associated with pain.

Hypercalcemia

—The presence of abnormally high concentrations of calcium compounds in the bloodstream.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

—A diagnostic technique that makes images of internal structures of the body, often superior to a normal x ray.

Metastases

—Cancer that starts from cancer cells that originate in a different location in the body.

Multiple myeloma

—Multiplying plasma cells that often replace all other cell types found in the bone marrow and frequently cause the loss of the bone cortex.

Nociceptors

—Peripheral pain receptors that are sensitive to movement, extreme heat and cold, and chemical stimuli.

Opioid

—Any morphine-like compound producing bodily effects that may include relief from severe pain, respiratory depression, or sedation.

Osteoclast

—Cells responsible for the breakdown of bone tissue.

Radionuclide scintography

—The process of injecting a radionuclide to capture an image of a particular area of the body for diagnostic purposes.

Radiopharmaceuticals

—Compounds used as radiation sources for radiotherapy and for diagnostic procedures.