The development of pain as a common experience and its treatment is very important, not only where it is caused by injury or inflammation, but also in chronic states where the nerves themselves are damaged. Even though we already know from physiological studies that special pain receptors or nociceptors are responsible for conducting pain sensations to the brain, the phenomenon of pain remains a medical and social problem. Pain relief or analgesia can be achieved using several different approaches and strategies. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most widely used analgesics. They...

Itch (pruritus) is an unpleasant skin sensation that compels a person to scratch the affected area. The pathological consequences of itching affect the quality of life just as much as pain. Chronic pruritus conditions such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or psoriasis pose a significant socioeconomic burden. This book provides an original account of behavioral, cellular, and molecular aspects of itch in experimental rodents and human subjects. It concentrates on the role of different cellular membrane ion channels functioning in itch states and spinal and cortical pathways...