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Hyperalgesia (hyperesthesia) is a state in which the patient's body incorrectly perceives the stimuli reaching him. Sounds, visual, taste, smell and tactile sensations that are of normal intensity lead to the occurrence of pain or other unpleasant sensations in a person with hyperesthesia. Because of them, the hyperalgesic patient may isolate himself and prefer being alone, where no sensory experience can reach him. How can you help such a person?

Hyperalgesia( hyperesthesia ) causes that ordinary stimuli that do not cause any discomfort in most people - such as touch or sound - lead to pain.

Some people complain that they feel pain even after a gentle hit - such people may just have a low pain threshold, in addition, each hit can definitely cause pain.

Hyperalgesia can occur in a person of any age, because there are relatively many potential causes of this condition.

Hyperesthesia (hyperesthesia): causes

Hypersensitivity to stimuli related to hyperalgesia may appear periodically as well as constantly. Hyperesthesia may occur especially in the course of:

  • infections (especially in the case of viral herpes zoster, where hyperalgesia may precede the appearance of skin lesions associated with this disease)
  • autism
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • diseases from the radiculopathy group
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • damage to the tissues of the central nervous system (especially in a situation where the thalamus is damaged, which can be caused, for example, by a stroke)
  • diabetes
  • multiple sclerosis
  • rabies
  • migren
  • facial nerve palsy
  • alcohol abuse
  • vitamin B deficiency12
  • ADHD

Interestingly, hyperalgesia can also be caused by… excessive coffee consumption. In such a situation, however, it is a temporary state, lasting several hours, and it results from excessive caffeine stimulation of the structures of the spinal cord and cortex of the brain.

Hyperalgesia (hyperesthesia): symptoms

The symptoms of hyperesthesia focus primarily on this sense organ,which it concerns. There are several types of this problem, such as tactile, visual or auditory hyperalgesia, as well as olfactory and taste hyperalgesia. Disturbances in the perception of stimuli in the course of hyperalgesia may lead to the appearance of pain, but also to other unpleasant sensations, such as a burning sensation.

Hyperalgesia (hyperesthesia): diagnostics

A patient suffering from hyperalgesia can be recommended a visit to a neurologist. In the diagnosis of this unit, neurological examination is of fundamental importance, and the history of the disease itself is also important, as is the history of the disease itself, but also other symptoms that could suggest the cause of hyperesthesia.

Depending on the suspected etiology of hyperalgesia, patients may be prescribed various tests, e.g. imaging tests (their aim may be to try to find possible lesions in the central nervous system), laboratory tests (e.g. to detect economic disorders carbohydrate, vitamin deficiencies) or tests to assess nerve conduction.

Hyperalgesia (hyperesthesia): treatment

The treatment of hyperalgesia is based primarily on treating the cause that led to the appearance of this condition - the remission of herpes zoster or compensation of vitamin B deficiency12may lead to the resolution of hypersensitivity to stimuli.

When hyperalgesia is associated with alcohol abuse, patients are strongly advised to abstain.

In order to relieve pain, patients are recommended painkillers, antiepileptic drugs (especially those used in the treatment of neuropathic pain) and sedatives. Children's hyperalgesia (especially in the form of hypersensitivity to touch) resulting from mental disorders such as ADHD or autism can be treated with psychotherapy. Patients with hyperesthesia may also try to alleviate their symptoms on their own - breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques may play a helpful role.

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Category:

Neurology