SECONDARY HYPERALGESIAS Meaning and
Definition
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Secondary hyperalgesia refers to the enhanced perception of pain in an area outside the site of the original injury or inflammation. It is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of sensitization of the central nervous system (CNS) in response to peripheral tissue damage.
When an injury or inflammation occurs, nociceptors (pain receptors) at the site send signals to the spinal cord and brain, leading to the perception of pain. However, over time, this initial pain signal can intensify and spread to surrounding areas, causing the development of secondary hyperalgesia. This hypersensitivity to pain extends beyond the boundaries of the injured or inflamed tissue, affecting nearby healthy tissues.
The process underlying secondary hyperalgesia involves various mechanisms such as the release of inflammatory substances, changes in the sensitivity and excitability of neurons in the spinal cord, and alterations in pain-processing pathways within the brain. These mechanisms contribute to an amplification of pain signals and an increased response to noxious stimuli in the surrounding tissues.
Secondary hyperalgesia can be clinically assessed through various methods, including the measurement of pain thresholds and pain ratings in both the primary and secondary hyperalgesic areas. This assessment helps in diagnosing and understanding the extent of central sensitization and its impact on pain perception.
Although secondary hyperalgesia is a physiological response aimed at protecting the body from further harm, it can become maladaptive in certain chronic pain conditions, leading to an exaggerated and prolonged experience of pain. Effective management and treatment of secondary hyperalgesia often involve addressing the underlying cause of the initial injury or inflammation, as well as employing strategies aimed at normalizing the sensitization of the central nervous system.
Common Misspellings for SECONDARY HYPERALGESIAS
- aecondary hyperalgesias
- zecondary hyperalgesias
- xecondary hyperalgesias
- decondary hyperalgesias
- eecondary hyperalgesias
- wecondary hyperalgesias
- swcondary hyperalgesias
- sscondary hyperalgesias
- sdcondary hyperalgesias
- srcondary hyperalgesias
- s4condary hyperalgesias
- s3condary hyperalgesias
- sexondary hyperalgesias
- sevondary hyperalgesias
- sefondary hyperalgesias
- sedondary hyperalgesias
- secindary hyperalgesias
- seckndary hyperalgesias
- seclndary hyperalgesias
- secpndary hyperalgesias
Etymology of SECONDARY HYPERALGESIAS
The word "secondary hyperalgesias" is a medical term that consists of two main components: "secondary" and "hyperalgesias".
The word "secondary" comes from the Latin word "secundarius", which means "second" or "subsequent". In medicine, it is often used to describe a condition or phenomenon that arises as a result of another condition or event. In the case of "secondary hyperalgesias", it refers to pain sensitivity that occurs in an area adjacent to an injury site or where the primary pain is felt.
The term "hyperalgesias" is a plural form of "hyperalgesia". It is derived from the Greek words "hyper", meaning "excessive" or "beyond", and "algos", meaning "pain". Hyperalgesia refers to an increased or exaggerated sensitivity to painful stimuli.
