Central pain syndrome

Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage or malfunction in the Central Nervous System (CNS) which causes a sensitization of the pain system. The extent of pain and the areas affected are related to the cause of the injury.

Symptoms

Pain can either be relegated to a specific part of the body or spread to the entire body. It is typically constant, and may be moderate to severe in intensity. It is often made worse by touch, movement, emotions, and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures along with many other similar 'triggers'. Burning pain is the most common sensation, but patients also report pins and needles, pressing, lacerating, aching, and extreme bursts or constant sharp or unremitting excruciating pain. Individuals may have reduced sensitivity to touch in the areas affected by the pain, as if a part of us is 'falling asleep'. The burning and loss of sense of touch are usually, but not always, most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands, spreading until it is in some cases felt from head to toe. For some patients with intense affliction, there often can be unremitting nausea, causing vomiting. The pain can also bring on hyperventilation. Blood pressure can rise due to the pain.^[1]

Cause

Damage to the CNS can be caused by car accidents, limb amputations, trauma, spinal cord injury, tumors, stroke, immune system disorders or diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Graves or Addison's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, and epilepsy.^[2] It may develop months or years after injury or damage to the CNS.^[3]

Treatment

Pain medications often provide some reduction of pain, but not complete relief of pain, for those affected by central pain syndrome. Tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline or anticonvulsants such as neurontin (gabapentin) can be useful. Lowering stress levels appears to reduce pain.^[2] For regular treatment some people prefer body length heating pads while others rely on warm baths, and most any normal 'hot or cold' help.

Prognosis

Central pain syndrome is not a fatal disorder, but the syndrome causes disabling chronic pain and suffering among the majority of individuals who have it.^[2]

See also

• Thalamic syndrome

References

External links

• WebMD - A concise 4 paragraph description of the condition.
• USA National Institute of Neurological disorders and Stroke - Authoritative 4 paragraphs on central pain.

Further reading

Canavero S, & Bonicalzi V (2007) Central pain syndrome. New York: Cambridge university press (1st ed) ISBN 0-521-86692-8 (2011) new edition