HYPERALGESIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hyperalgesia is a medical term that refers to the condition of heightened sensitivity to pain. Derived from the Greek words "hyper," meaning excessive or beyond normal, and "algos," meaning pain, hyperalgesia describes a heightened response to painful stimuli. Individuals experiencing hyperalgesia may perceive pain to be more intense than what would typically be expected, even in response to relatively minor or innocuous stimuli.
Hyperalgesia can be classified into several types, including primary, secondary, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Primary hyperalgesia occurs at the site of injury or damage to tissues, typically resulting from inflammation or trauma. Secondary hyperalgesia refers to amplified pain sensitivity that extends beyond the initial injury site, affecting surrounding or remote areas. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is a phenomenon where prolonged use of opioid medications can actually increase pain sensitivity in individuals.
Hyperalgesia is often associated with various medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraines, neuropathic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. It can also occur as a side effect of certain medications or as a consequence of nerve damage. Hyperalgesia may manifest as an increased response to mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli, leading to enhanced pain perception.
Understanding hyperalgesia is crucial in the field of pain management, as it can influence the appropriate selection of treatment methods and medications. By identifying and addressing hyperalgesic responses, healthcare professionals can develop individualized pain management plans to alleviate discomfort and improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing heightened pain sensitivity.
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Extreme sensitiveness to painful stimuli.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPERALGESIA
- gyperalgesia
- byperalgesia
- nyperalgesia
- jyperalgesia
- uyperalgesia
- yyperalgesia
- htperalgesia
- hgperalgesia
- hhperalgesia
- huperalgesia
- h7peralgesia
- h6peralgesia
- hyoeralgesia
- hyleralgesia
- hy-eralgesia
- hy0eralgesia
- hypwralgesia
- hypsralgesia
- hypdralgesia
- hyprralgesia
Etymology of HYPERALGESIA
The word "hyperalgesia" has its roots in Greek. It can be broken down into two components: "hyper" and "algesia".
1. "Hyper" (ὑπέρ) in Greek means "excessive" or "beyond".
2. "Algesia" (ἄλγος) is derived from the Greek word "algos", which means "pain".
Therefore, when combined, "hyperalgesia" literally means "excessive pain" or "beyond pain". It is a medical term used to describe a heightened sensitivity to pain, where individuals experience an amplified response to painful stimuli.
