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Central Pain Syndrome
What Is Central Pain Syndrome?Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage to or dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem and spinal cord. This syndrome can be caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, epilepsy, brain or spinal cord trauma or Parkinson's disease. The character of the pain associated with this syndrome differs widely among individuals partly because of the variety of potential causes. Central pain syndrome may affect a large portion of the body or may be more restricted to specific areas, such as hands or feet. The extent of pain is usually related to the cause of the CNS injury or damage. Pain is typically constant, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and is often made worse by touch, movement, emotions and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Individuals experience one or more types of pain sensations, the most prominent being burning. Mingled with the burning may be sensations of "pins and needles;" pressing, lacerating, or aching pain; and brief, intolerable bursts of sharp pain similar to the pain caused by a dental probe on an exposed nerve. Individuals may have numbness in the areas affected by the pain. The burning and loss of touch sensations are usually most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands. Central pain syndrome often begins shortly after the causative injury or damage, but may be delayed by months or even years, especially if it is related to post-stroke pain. Is There Any 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. What Is the 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. Additional Resources American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) P.O. Box 850 Rocklin, CA 95677-0850 (916) 632-0922 or 1-800-533-3231 Fax: (916) 632-3208 Internet: www.theacpa.org E-mail: ACPA@pacbell.net American Pain Foundation 201 North Charles St., Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21201-4111 1-888-615-PAIN (1-888-615-7246) or (410) 783-7292 Fax: (410) 385-1832 Internet: www.painfoundation.org E-mail: info@painfoundation.org National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA) P.O. Box 274 Millboro, VA 24460 (540) 862-9437 Fax: (540) 862-9485 Internet: www.chronicpain.org E-mail: ncpoa@cfw.com National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain P.O. Box 70045 Houston, TX 77270 (713) 862-9332 Fax: (713) 862-9346 Internet: www.paincare.org E-mail: markgordon@paincare.org Related Articles:
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health | |
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