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 effect one limb or body part, then spread to other parts of the body. There are two subtypes of CRPS. These include sympathetic dystrophy, which occurs after illness or injury though has no lasting damage to the nerves and causalgia which presents with evidence of injury to a nerve or the entire central nervous system.
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 autonomic dysfunctions which often present with cyanosis, changes in temperatures, and at times, edema. Localized swelling and sensitivity to things not normally associated with discomfort such as touch, wind, water, vibration and noise can also be indicative of the condition. Whereas, changes in bone density, skin color and texture, joint stiffness and changes in hair and nails can also be common.
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 effect one limb or body part, then spread to other parts of the body. There are two subtypes of CRPS. These include sympathetic dystrophy, which occurs after illness or injury though has no lasting damage to the nerves and causalgia which presents with evidence of injury to a nerve or the entire central nervous system.
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 autonomic dysfunctions which often present with cyanosis, changes in temperatures, and at times, edema. Localized swelling and sensitivity to things not normally associated with discomfort such as touch, wind, water, vibration and noise can also be indicative of the condition. Whereas, changes in bone density, skin color and texture, joint stiffness and changes in hair and nails can also be common.
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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