Friday, May 24, 2013

CRPS vs RSD

Frequently, the terminology "complex regional pain syndrome" and "reflex sympathetic dystrophy", and their specific shortened forms, "CRPS" and "RSD" are utilised interchangeably. The simple fact that they are frequently used together may render understanding what they each suggest complicated. They are alike, but distinct and we will consider the commonalities and dissimilarities.

Defining CRPS/What is RSD
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is the name applied to the collection of neurological conditions that are classified by a specific collection of indicators:
  • Persistent pain, usually a dull burning pain
  • Alterations to the epidermis and bone tissues
  • Amplified sweating
  • Localised inflaming of muscle tissue
  • Intense sensitivity to touching
Many struggling with these CRPS symptoms, in many cases, may have experienced an injury to nerve cells while others mightn't have. This is certainly the most bothersome feature of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - its comprehensive pathology is undiscovered by the medical profession. The thing that is established is whether the CRPS symptoms have manifested as a consequence of or apart from an accidental injury. It is this key aspect that segments the two types of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. CRPS Type I, best-known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, manifests apart from an identifiable trauma. CRPS Type II, known as Causalgia, occurs subsequent to an identifiable injury.

CRPS Type I - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
RSD can cause those impacted by it a heap of frustration and aside from that to serious pain. There exists no known triggers, yet its impacts are unmistakable. RSD Symptoms usually do not always occur concurrently, so initial diagnoses by doctors may not deliver comfort. I suffered with chronic pain along with other RSD symptoms that got progressively worse until I finally was directed to a young neurologist who specialised in pain syndromes and chronic pain management that was able to diagnose Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy as the source of pain.

CRPS Type II - Causalgia
Causalgia and its link to CRPS symptoms make the diagnosis of a patient a lot easier than in the instance of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Almost Always, a patient sustains some sort of trauma. As the wound rehabs, for grounds that medical professionals do not fully comprehend, the neurological system and the manner in which it interprets pain impulses begin to malfunction. As the medical professional who treats me indicated, "the nervous system gets stuck in a pain loop where it responds to serious pain with pain". This malfunction is never completely remedied and so the body's pain response persists. This continual failure results in the CRPS symptoms we outlined above.

Dealing With Pain Syndrome
Dealing with chronic pain can be very challenging mentally and physically. It is beneficial to fully grasp Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and to clarify if you might have CRPS Type I, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or CRPS Type II, Causalgia. In either instance, there are treatment routines that can be put into practice, for instance: To acquire more information on anything layed out here, stop by what-is-rsd.com, or read the individual links. If you are in pain, understanding its triggers and possible treatment options is the strategy to start maximizing quality of life.

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