Differential Diagnosis of RSD
Among the many issues that people may see a medical provider for, chronic pain is close to the top. According to a survey released by the National Institutes of Health back in 2012, millions of people suffer from pain. Some of the important statistics from the study include:
- About 25 million people in the United States suffer from pain on a daily basis
- This is about 11 percent of all adults in the country
- About 23 million people reported that their pain is severe
In the past, many people have dismissed these individuals’ complaints as minor; however, it has become clear that severe pain is a genuine issue that must be addressed. Research has shown that pain is one of the chief reasons that people seek alternative approaches to their pain. These include:
- Yoga
- Massage
- Meditation
While this can be helpful, it is just as important to make sure that the pain is addressed by a trained medical provider. This starts with obtaining the proper diagnosis. One of the most severe forms of pain is from a disease known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), which can be called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This disease is often only diagnosed after numerous other incorrect diagnoses have been made. What are some of the other diseases that people may be diagnosed with?
Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Pain
When someone is suffering from chronic pain, there are numerous possible diagnoses that need to be considered. Many of these can look similar to each other, which is why it is important to seek help from a medical professional. Some of these diagnoses include:
Arthritis: This is one of the most common reasons why someone might suffer from chronic pain. Arthritis develops when people suffer erosions of the cartilage that is supposed to cushion their joints. When this happens, bones can rub against each other leading to serious pain.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: This is a severe disease of the nerves that results from a traumatic accident of some kind. This leads to scrambling of the signals from the nerves which the brain has trouble interpreting. Sometimes, the brain interprets this as pain. The pain is often isolated to one limb and has multiple treatment options that vary in their efficacy depending on the severity of the pain.
Fibromyalgia: This disease is widespread pain throughout multiple parts of the body; however, what sets this apart is the development of other symptoms as well. Examples include mood changes, fatigue, and even memory loss. Most people report having trigger points as well.
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin; however, it is important to address all of the aspects of such a devastating chronic disease. This means addressing the quality of life issues that might arise as well.
Quality of Life Issues with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Chronic Pain
Individuals who live with chronic pain can have some serious quality of life issues. Examples include:
- Having trouble attending school regularly and falling behind their peers
- Issues related to holding a steady job, which adds to financial stress
- The development of emotional difficulties that impacts the relationships with their peers
- The diagnosis of mental health disorders, such as depression, which can add to the medical problems that they already have
Managing chronic pain, particularly from a severe disease such as RSD, cannot be handled alone. It is important for everyone with chronic pain, particularly that from RSD, to seek appropriate medical care. In addition, it is also a good idea to speak with an RSD lawyer in Sacramento. All of the details of the case deserve to be examined fully. You and your family could be entitled to financial compensation.
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Contact a Caring RSD Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Attorney in Sacramento. If someone you know has been having trouble with their diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please call me at 916-382-0693. I am available to provide friendly, free legal advice.
Everyone is asked to look at my sample results here.
Image Sourcing: Pixabay hosted the picture at the beginning of this article. The CC0 Creative Commons License has given permission to reproduce it here.
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