Dysesthesia

Are you suffering from extremely painful sensations in various parts of your body, for no apparent reason at all? You might be having a neurological disorder known as Dysesthesia. Find out all about the disorder, including its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Dysesthesia Definition

Dysesthesia comes from the Greek word “dys” meaning not normal and “aesthesis” which refers to abnormal sensation. It may be defined as the abnormal and unpleasant sensations that come from inflammation of nerves system. It may or may not be considered as pain.

It is known to be caused by lesions of the nerve system which may be peripheral or central.

Dysesthesia Symptoms

Dysesthesia is very frustrating and painful for its sufferers. It is characterized by the experience of sensations such as burning, pins and needles, itching, electric shock and wetness. Sufferers of the condition sometimes complain of feeling like having acid under the skin. Some people with severe form of the disease become so sensitive to touch that they feel uncomfortable with the mere touch of their own clothing with their skin. Patients may find it particularly unbearable at times when they experience extreme burning sensation – known as the “Dante-esque” pain. A change in temperature level and heat increases the sensation of pain. Pain is further worsened due to tonic light touch, rough textures or phasic rubbing which turns into evoked pain.

The whole life of a patient becomes a painful exercise to avoid the feeling of burning. Affected people are unable to rest or sit calmly due to constant touch of clothes with their skin. This makes them hysteric at times. Sufferers may slip into depression frequently or feel a sense of resignation. Increased salivary cortisol, due to malfunction of controls, indicates higher level of stress which is common in patients with Dysesthesia.

Dysesthesias are difficult to deal with once they turn chronic in nature. People who experience chronic anxiety dysesthesia experience facial numbness and varied sense of tingling in various parts of the body. Victims may suffer a temporary loss of vision and experience severe fatigue along with a spastic bladder. Due to a lesion in the PNS, patients may also suffer from an unusual nervousness all the time without any other specific cause.

Dysesthesia Causes

Dysesthesia is the bluntest pain which the human body is capable of bearing. Several diseases and other conditions can be responsible for causing the disorder.  It can be seen mostly in people who suffer from conditions like:

Diabetes

Diabetes often leads to peripheral nerve damage which causes burning dysesthesias that affect the feet.

Neuropathy

The disease is actually caused by abnormalities in either the central nervous system (CNS) which consists of the brain and the spinal cord, or the peripheral nerves outside the CNS.

Multiple sclerosis

It is another causative condition that involves Demyelination or loss of myelin sheath which covers and protects the nerves and helps them conduct their work. This condition takes place in the CNS.

Other factors that can cause Dysesthesia or other forms of altered sensation include:

• Lyme disease
• Shingles
• HIV
• Continuous exposure to heavy metals
• Compression of a nerve root
• Deficiencies of vitamins, such as B6 and B12

The condition can also arise as a withdrawal symptom of abuse of alcohol or drugs. Dysesthesia, along with Polyneuropathy, can be a cause for Lyme disease. Dysesthesia has also been found to be one of the symptoms of neuropathy, along with various other problems like gait disturbance, weakness, and parthesias and absent DTRS.

Dysesthesia Treatment

Not all cases of the disorder are severe enough to require treatment. However, Dysesthesia from diabetes and shingles are found to turn fatal at a later stage. Anti-depressants and anticonvulsants are common medications that are prescribed to minimize the discomforting sensations arising due to the disease.

Capsaicin, an ingredient found in hot peppers, helps relieve the burning Dysesthesias of diabetic neuropathy when topically applied to the skin. Vitamin supplements can help the cases of the condition that are caused by vitamin deficiency. There are medications available for Chronic Anxiety to help relieve painful symptoms and reduce the frequency of the abnormal sensations.

Seek medical attention on an immediate basis if you suspect yourself to be having this disorder. Without proper treatment, the symptoms of Dysesthesia are likely to increase even more causing you acute pain. It is better that you seek early treatment to get rid of discomforting sensations as soon as possible and ensure a fast recovery for yourself.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysesthesia

http://suite101.com/article/what-is-dysesthesia-a252111

http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/types/dysesthesia

http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/dysesthesias