Sqad ..

[Eleena]

Why is it that when the body has to cope with a different thing, that an old ailment subsides for that period? I've noticed this several times before.

[Prudie]

I don't know if sqad will agree with this but I certainly do. I could give examples both personally and of my mother when the body seems to forget other problems when it's got something bigger to deal with. It may even suggest that some of the minor things are partly in the mind - I really don't know but it does happen.

[NoMercy]

Spath - tonsillitis is at it's worst during your teenage years and then is when you are most likely to get Glandular fever (I speak from painful experience). I too used to experience this without fail following every flight. As you get older you will naturally suffer less from the likes of tonsillitis and GF.

[Eleena]

Hi everyone,
Prudie, I wonder what the science is behind that .. that the body can 'forget ' other pain?

[Eleena]

I think I agree with you spath. But how does one neurological path overide another? I just find it interesting.

[Eleena]

Should read .. prioritise and overide another.

[Eleena]

The body and mind are fascinating spath.

[Eleena]

Yes, I got that ;0)

[Eleena]

Totally agree, distraction from pain works.

[Eleena]

So may be I answered my own question? The focus on new pain distracts seat from or pain?

[Eleena]

seat? other!

[Eleena]

It certainly is. When my brother went through the early stages of limbic encephalitis, he would make imaginary cigarettes and walk with the gait of a much older man. That illness alone is fascinating.

[Sqad]

Sorry....just got back from taking the "old lady out".

This psychological stuff is not my area of expertise, but i cannot criticise any of the above posts,except the "tonsillitis post" which was clearly the natural history of tonsillitis and nothing to do with neurological pathways.
Counter-irritants are well known in medicine' that of providing another pain or irritant to neutralise the original pain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterirritant

There are parts of the brain whose functions are ill understood, but start to play a part in overriding pain in moments of emotional stress.
A more eciting aspect of brain and mind pharmacology are Endorphins which are chemical substances brought into play by the brain in times of stress and anxiety, thus trumping any other pre-existing painful stimuli. Research into Endorphins is on going.

I am afraid that is my lot as i am not "big" on stress, strains and emotions.

[Eleena]

Thanks sqad, that covers that !
"I'm not big on stress, strains & emotions"
We noticed ... ha ha!! ;0)