While most often, the reason for painful areas in the body can be identified, there are some instances in which it is more difficult than others. When it comes to complex regional pain syndrome awareness can be the difference between successful treatment or prolonged discomfort. In most case, CRPS is a condition which begins in one area of the body after a injury or illness and manifests swelling in another, usually a limb. Other symptoms include extreme pain and limited movement, often followed by discomfort in skin and bone.
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.
The condition is uncommon and the cause is not clearly understood. Whereas, treatment is most effective when started as early as possible. In most cases, remission and improvement are possible though there can also be more severe cases in which damage to the nerves may be permanent. For, the condition generally appears following a serious injury, heart attack or stroke, in which the pain is out proportion to the prior event.
A number of medical professionals propose that inflammation or alteration perceived in the nervous system play a vital role in the development of pain. While, others suggest that pain could be a result of a number of different stimuli or caused by nerves which release neuropeptides and inflammatory molecules in the area. Whereas, the majority of health care professionals appear to believe it is due to inappropriate communication due to a block between the sensory and motor fibers near the effected area.
Current treatment for CRPS involves a multidisciplinary approach in which health care providers often prescribe medication along with occupational or physical therapy, psychological counseling and nerve modulation. Regardless of the type of treatment, results are generally unsatisfactory, especially if treatment is postponed after the condition first presents symptoms.
Symptoms can be different for each individual though most present as inflammation first, followed by long periods of extreme pain. The symptoms and signs of CRPS generally manifest closest to the site of an illness or injury. Whereas, the most common symptoms are intense burning, stabbing, grinding and throbbing. In almost all cases, the severity of pain associated with CRPS is out of proportion to that of the original event responsible for the development of the condition.
Both aspects of the condition, causalgia and sympathetic dystrophy are considered autonomic dysfunctions which often present with cyanosis and changes in temperature, or edema. If this is the case, individuals may also experience localized swelling and a sensitivity to things which are normally non-painful such as wind, water, noise, vibration and touch.
In the past, the condition was thought to develop in three different stages. More recently, it has become evident that people effected by CRPS do not progress through stages. As such, the condition has no time constraint and can be related to events in the moment such as damage to the body or nerves due to a re-injury or fall.
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.
The condition is uncommon and the cause is not clearly understood. Whereas, treatment is most effective when started as early as possible. In most cases, remission and improvement are possible though there can also be more severe cases in which damage to the nerves may be permanent. For, the condition generally appears following a serious injury, heart attack or stroke, in which the pain is out proportion to the prior event.
A number of medical professionals propose that inflammation or alteration perceived in the nervous system play a vital role in the development of pain. While, others suggest that pain could be a result of a number of different stimuli or caused by nerves which release neuropeptides and inflammatory molecules in the area. Whereas, the majority of health care professionals appear to believe it is due to inappropriate communication due to a block between the sensory and motor fibers near the effected area.
Current treatment for CRPS involves a multidisciplinary approach in which health care providers often prescribe medication along with occupational or physical therapy, psychological counseling and nerve modulation. Regardless of the type of treatment, results are generally unsatisfactory, especially if treatment is postponed after the condition first presents symptoms.
Symptoms can be different for each individual though most present as inflammation first, followed by long periods of extreme pain. The symptoms and signs of CRPS generally manifest closest to the site of an illness or injury. Whereas, the most common symptoms are intense burning, stabbing, grinding and throbbing. In almost all cases, the severity of pain associated with CRPS is out of proportion to that of the original event responsible for the development of the condition.
Both aspects of the condition, causalgia and sympathetic dystrophy are considered autonomic dysfunctions which often present with cyanosis and changes in temperature, or edema. If this is the case, individuals may also experience localized swelling and a sensitivity to things which are normally non-painful such as wind, water, noise, vibration and touch.
In the past, the condition was thought to develop in three different stages. More recently, it has become evident that people effected by CRPS do not progress through stages. As such, the condition has no time constraint and can be related to events in the moment such as damage to the body or nerves due to a re-injury or fall.
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