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Symptoms of disease - phantom pain

The phantom pain in the limbs - one of the most serious pain syndromes. They were first described in 1552 Ambroise Pair, but so far mechanisms that lie in their basis, are not well known, and their prospects for the rapid elimination of a very sad.

The percentage of people suffering from phantom pains surprisingly high. In 72% of people phantom pain arose already in the first 8 days after the surgery, after 6 months they were observed in 65%, two years later - by 60%. 60% of people continue to complain of pain in the phantom limbs and after 7 years. However, with the passage of time painful attacks become less frequent.

Which diseases there is phantom pain

Many patients continue to feel phantom limb immediately after the amputation of hands or feet. Phantom limb is usually described with the same shape and characteristics, and that this limb to amputation. There is a feeling that the phantom limb occupies the same position in space, which would last real, when a patient comes, sits down, to go to bed. In the beginning it feels normal in size and shape, the patient tries to take the subject of the missing hand, stands up from the bed to the missing leg. With time, however, phantom limb changes its form, can take unnatural, fanciful position in space, is becoming less distinct, and may disappear entirely.

Some people have a very weak pain or feel them quite rare. Others suffer from pain periodically, from several attacks in the day to 1 - 2 times a week. The rest are subject to constant headaches, ranging in intensity and quality. In nature described the pain can be divided into 3 groups: with a predominance of "causalgic" (burning, the baking), with a predominance of "neuralgic" pain (like the shock of an electric current) and with the pain of the type "cramps" (which, squeeze). They can begin directly after the amputation, and sometimes occur weeks, months and even years later. The pain can be felt in a certain part of the phantom limb. So, for example, patients complain that the phantom brush is compressed in his hand, his fingers together, dig into the palm of the hand, from what brush is tired and sore.
If the pain there is quite a long period of time, other areas of the body sensitized, and easy to touch them causes spasm and intense pain in the phantom limb. Pain, in addition, often provoked by inner organ damage pulses, for example, when urinating and defecating. Even emotional distress, stress can cause increased pain. The operative intervention, such as neuro -, radiculitis -, sympathectomy and other, often unsuccessful, and the patient may be subjected to a variety of operations without significant reduction in the intensity of pain.

The properties of the phantom pain.
Phantom pain in the limbs, characterized by 4-name of the main properties:

1. The pain persists after healing of damaged tissues. In some patients the pain of passing, and the other is saved for years, decades, even when the initial damage to fully heal. Sometimes the pain is similar to that which preceded the amputation. So, for example, patient, damaging finger chip, rebounding from the tree, and in consequence lost his hand in an accident, complained of pain in his finger, exactly the same as from dabbed in the past chips. Similarly, patients with an amputated leg feel in it, the pain from the plagues that existed in the real leg up to surgery. Within two years after the amputation of 45% of patients feel pain in one particular location, and 35% of patients - as much pain as before the amputation.

2. Trigger zones may apply to the healthy parts of the same or opposite sides of the body. A light touch of the other limbs or to the head may provoke an attack of the terrible pain of the phantom limb. It is obvious that the pain in a location remote from the stump may cause phantom pain. For example, angina pectoris, developed for a period of 25 years after the amputation, can provoke severe pain in the phantom limbs in every attack.

3. Prolonged pain relief can be achieved reduction of somatic of pulsation. To be based on such methods of treatment, as the local introduction of anesthetics in sensitive areas or nerves of the stump. These blocks can stop the pain for hours, days, weeks, even forever, but, as a rule, are effective only for a few hours.

4. In addition, long-lasting pain relief can be conditioned by the strengthening of sensory impulses. Injection of hypertonic solution in the areas causes pain, referred in phantom limb, lasting about ten minutes, with the subsequent dramatic partial or complete disappearance of pains at his watch, week, or forever. Vibratory stimulation, electrical stimulation of muscles of the stump may also bring relief. Surgically, the electrodes can also be placed on the spinal cord.

Which doctor should I contact if there is a phantom pain

• Neurologist

Are you experiencing phantom pain? You want to know more detailed information, or you need an inspection? Please sign up on reception to the doctor! Doctors will examine you, examine the external signs and help to determine the disease the symptoms, they will consult you and provide the necessary assistance. You can also call the doctor on the house.

Do you feel phantom hurts? You should be very careful approach to your health in general. People pay not enough attention to the symptoms of the disease and don't realize that these diseases can be critically dangerous. There are many diseases that in the beginning didn't manifest in our body, but in the end it turns out, unfortunately, it have already been treated too late. Every disease has its own specific features typical symptoms - called symptoms of the disease. Definition of symptoms is the first step in the diagnosis of diseases in general. You just need a few times a year to be screened by a doctor, not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in a body and the organism in general.

Pains by category

Pains by alphabet

Map of the symptoms and the types of pain is intended solely for educational purposes. We strongly recommend do NOT self-medicate; on all matters relating to the definition of the disease and ways of its treatment, contact your doctor. Md-tips is not responsible for the consequences of use information posted on the site.