Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 07, 2009 (SKNIS): The history of pain and how people dealt with it over the ages from Bible times to World War II was addressed by Dr. Winston Parris when he delivered a public lecture at the Catholic Church in Basseterre the evening of October 05.
Dr. Parris, who is originally from St. Lucia attended the University of the West Indies before migrating to the United States and continuing his training at Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee. Specializing in Anesthesiology, he became a pioneer in pain management treatment and promised, during his St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service interview, that in addition to being enlightening, his lecture would also be a treat.
In his jovial manner, Dr. Parris explained that pain originated in the Garden of Eden when Eve disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit. He detailed instances of pain and pain relief up to World War II times when many soldiers had frostbite and injuries, including those received from bullet shrapnel.
Dr. Parris was invited to present as part of the Mental Health Week of Activities which is being held under the theme: “Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health. Stop that Pain Now.” As such, pertaining to pain, Dr. Parris revealed that when he did his initial medical degree, there were no courses available on chronic pain.
He elaborated that even at the Vanderbilt University level, the first series of lectures was undertaken by himself and he ensured that chronic pain management became a fixture on the curriculum.
Dr. Parris’ lecture, last Monday, also included the future of pain management. He explored the aspect of genetics noting that there are now tests to detect abnormalities in certain neuropeptides. The Doctor also said that there are new drugs and new pathways that can be applied to patients. He said that the morphine receptors have been analyzed, enthusiastically noting that the future of pain management is very exciting.
Dr. Parris explained that he decided to pursue his specialty because he experienced someone dying a very painful death of prostrate cancer and he thought it important to afford individuals an opportunity to carry on to the end of their lives, with dignity, in spite of the throes of chronic pain.
