Contact | Sitemap | Deutsch
	The body's own warning system is distributed throughout the body and is extremely fast. The most important part is played by the nervous system. A gigantic communication system, similar to a widely branching telephone network where the brain functions as the main switchboard and the spinal cord as the central cable. Fine nerve fibres, made up of many cells, lead into and out of the spinal cord just like telephone cables. Information is passed on in the form of electric impulses at breathtaking speed. Some three million pain receptors, the so-called nociceptors, are distributed around free nerve endings. They are mostly located in the skin and see to it, that no harmful effects from the exterior remain hidden from the brain. Nociceptors which are to be found in muscles, bones, blood vessels and entrails, also inform upon any endogenous dysfunction, such as an inflammation. Nociceptors will take up direct pain stimuli that may be of chemical, thermic, mechanic or electric nature, and direct them via nerve tracts to the 'switchboard' - the brain. There they are immediately processed and passed on. The order for the fitting counter-reaction, passing the conducting nerve fibres of the spinal cord, then goes to the place of action. Our body supports the directing and awareness of pain by releasing particular pain mediators that will sensitise the nociceptors for further stimuli. In addition, prostaglandins, special substances that are pain enhancing, are built up at the site of action. Prostaglandins are short-lived, locally acting hormones that can trigger or strengthen a state of pain. They encourage inflammation and fever. The basis for all inflammatory, painful of feverish reactions is usually an irritation of or damage to single cells. This can be triggered by mechanical, thermic or chemical stimuli. Cell walls are mostly made up of substances rich in fatty acids, whereby arachidonic acid is to be found most frequently. It is seen as the most important preliminary stage of prostaglandins. The release of arachidonic acid from the cell walls leads to a very fast formation of prostaglandins. Inflammation cells rush to the site of action. Local blood supply is increased and pain, inflammation and fever mediators enter into the blood circulation. Apart from pain, rash, swelling, local overheating and possibly fever belong to the typical symptoms of an inflammation.