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Saturday, 27 April 2019

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness

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By Christine Clark


When it comes to pain, the condition can be minor or major. While this is the case, when experiencing complex regional pain syndrome awareness is key in successful treatment. Sometimes referred to as sympathetic dystrophy or RSD, it is a disorder in which one area of the body, usually starting in a limb in which the condition manifests swelling, limited motion and extreme pain, then creates discomfort in the bone and skin. CRPS is often rated one of the most extreme levels of pain such as that of cancer, childbirth or amputation.

CRPS has the potential to start in one area, most often a limb, then spread to other areas of the body. While only 35% of effected individuals report this being the case, there are many whom experience CRPS whom do not realize the reason behind the widespread pain and discomfort. There are two subtypes of CRPS, one which effects the nerves on a permanent basis known as causalgia, and one in which there is no damage, known as sympathetic dystrophy.

CRPS is fairly uncommon while the cause remains a mystery. Whereas, when diagnosed, treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible. In most cases, improvement and remission are possible though when following a more severe injury or illness, there can often be permanent damage to the nerves. In most cases, the latter occurs following a stroke, heart attack or serious injury.

Most health care providers have proposed that inflammation and alteration when perceived by the central nervous system can play an important role in pain development. Whereas, others have suggested the possibility that ongoing pain could be the result of inflammatory molecules, neuropeptides and peripheral nerves being released from other nerves in the area. Most individuals involved in the research or treatment of the condition believe that the release is most likely caused by inappropriate communication between sensory and motor fibers.

Current treatment plans vary but most all include some aspect of nerve modulation, counseling and medication. For, regardless of the event which caused the condition, single treatments have often been unsatisfactory, especially in cases in which treatment was delayed. Whereas, there are also times when an individual has been able to treat the condition with massage, heat and ice but only in the case of minimal swelling and pain.

Symptoms are different from individual to individual but often present first as inflammation, followed by long painful periods. The signs and symptoms of CRPS often manifest near the site of an injury or illness. Whereas, the most common symptoms are intense throbbing, grinding, stabbing and burning for long periods of time. In most cases, the discomfort is different than that felt during the initial injury or illness.

Both types of CRPS are characterized by dysfunction which is autonomic in nature and present with changes in temperature, cyanosis and often, edema. In many cases, individuals will also experience localized swelling and have a sensitivity to things which are normally non-painful such as touch, vibration, noise, water and wind.

When first discovered, CRPS was thought to effect people in stages. Since that time, researchers and scientists have found that the condition does not progress through stages. Rather, there are no time constraints when it comes to CRPS which indicates the condition could potentially be related to events which have just occurred.




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