 |
 |
 |
|
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (also known as complex regional pain syndrome, causalgia, shoulder-hand syndrome and post-traumatic spreading neuralgia) is a chronic, rare and painful condition that usually affects the arm or leg. However, it can affect virtually any part of the body.
Incidence; Causes & Development
Most often, the disease affects people older than age 50, but it can occur at any age. Women are more likely to be affected than men are.
The nature of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is puzzling, and the cause is unknown at the time of writing. The condition may result from a disturbance in the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that controls blood flow and your sweat glands. The disease commonly follows an acute problem, such as an injury to an arm or a leg, or an illness such as a heart attack. But it also may stem from a minor injury you may not even recall.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms include intense burning or aching pain along with swelling, abnormal sweating and hypersensitivity of the area.
Treatment & Prevention
- Pain relievers. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may ease pain and inflammation.
- Applying heat and cold. Applying cold may relieve swelling and sweating. If the affected area is cool, applying heat may offer relief.
- Exercises. Using and exercising affected limbs may improve range of motion and strength. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective exercises may be.
If the above treatments aren't effective, a doctor may recommend:- Corticosteroids. Use of the corticosteroid (prednisone) may reduce inflammation.
- Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication. Injection of an anesthetic to block pain fibers in your affected nerves may relieve pain.
- Biofeedback. In some cases learning biofeedback techniques may help. In biofeedback, you learn to become more aware of your body so that you can relax your body and relieve symptoms of pain.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Signs, symptoms & indicators of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome:
KEY | | Weak or unproven link |
GLOSSARY
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Anesthetic
Agent causing loss of sensation by neurological dysfunction or a pharmacological depression of nerve function.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Corticosteroid (Corticosteroids)
Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex.
Gland (Glands)
The glandular system is one of the most important and complicated systems of the body. Gland tissue can be either an organ or general tissue that secretes chemicals and there are two types of gland: exocrine and endocrine. Those glands which secrete chemicals through tubules or ducts are called exocrine and include sweat, tear and salivary glands. Ductless glands - part of the endocrine system - secrete special chemicals (hormones) directly into the blood.
Nervous System
A system in the body that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor organs that receive and interpret stimuli and transmit impulses to effector organs.
Neuralgia (Neuralgic)
Pain of severe throbbing or stabbing nature along a nerve.
Over-The-Counter (OTC, Over The Counter)
A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Sodium
An essential mineral that our bodies regulate and conserve. Excess sodium retention increases the fluid volume (edema) and low sodium leads to less fluid and relative dehydration. The adult body averages a total content of over 100 grams of sodium, of which a surprising one-third is in bone. A small amount of sodium does get into cell interiors, but this represents only about ten percent of the body content. The remaining 57 percent or so of the body sodium content is in the fluid immediately surrounding the cells, where it is the major cation (positive ion). The role of sodium in the extracellular fluid is maintaining osmotic equilibrium (the proper difference in ions dissolved in the fluids inside and outside the cell) and extracellular fluid volume. Sodium is also involved in nerve impulse transmission, muscle tone and nutrient transport. All of these functions are interrelated with potassium.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Portion of the autonomic nervous system that is generally associated with “flight or fight” reactions by increasing blood circulation and respiration and decreasing digestion.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Last updated: Oct 08, 2008
|
 |
|
|
