Epinephrine, Adrenaline, and Pain with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: A New Treatment?
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that people visit the doctor. Furthermore, chronic pain impacts more people than diabetes, cancer, and heart disease put together. Because of this, chronic pain is a serious drain on the healthcare system in addition to impacting the lives of not only the individual but also the lives of their coworkers, their family members, and their friends. According to a survey that was published titled America Speaks, from the American Academy of Pain Medicine:
- Many people who suffer from chronic pain have taken significant steps to try to control their pain.
- About 20 percent of people surveyed said that they had taken time off of work.
- Over 15 percent of those asked, said that they had even changed jobs completely.
- 13 percent of individuals surveyed said that they had requested help with their activities of daily living.
- More than 10 percent had moved to a home that they felt was easier for them to manage.
The lengths that people go to in order to manage their pain should demonstrate to everyone that the symptoms are real and that those who suffer from chronic pain should not be stigmatized. One of the diseases that leads to severe, daily, chronic pain is called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), which is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). There are lots of treatment options for those who suffer from this disease; however, one of the potential treatment targets is epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), according to a recent study.
Epinephrine and the Potential for the Management of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Recently, a study was published that explored the potential of epinephrine to manage the symptoms of RSD. This experimental treatment was published by a team of researchers who were looking for an alternative to the traditional treatment options for chronic pain from this disease. The role of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the production of catecholamines (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine), is still unclear and is under active investigation. The study referenced above involved researchers drawing blood samples from several dozen individuals with RSD. These were then compared with an equal number of blood draws from those who don’t have RSD. In the group with RSD, the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly higher than those who didn’t have RSD. Interestingly, the higher the levels of catecholamines, the higher the rate of depression as well. This was calculated using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.
The results of this study demonstrate that levels of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine could play an important role in the development and severity of symptoms in individuals with RSD. Furthermore, this could mean that these hormones should be targeted in the treatment of RSD. Therefore, future studies must explore the potential efficacy of treatment which targets the sympathetic nervous system and these hormones. It could prove beneficial in the management of symptoms related to RSD, such as severe pain and mental health issues.
A Legal Adviser can Provide Key Assistance
It can be challenging to manage the symptoms of RSD, which can cause someone to miss valuable time from work or from school. In order to adequately manage such a severe disease, it is important to incorporate multiple specialists to help with the numerous issues that might arise. Meeting with a caring RSD attorney in Sacramento can help a family review the details of the diagnosis and the accident that might have triggered the disease. You and your family could be entitled to financial compensation.
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Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If someone you know needs assistance with a personal injury involving Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please call me at 916-382-0693. I am here to provide friendly, free legal advice.
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Image Citation: Pixabay produced the image at the start of this article. The CC0 Creative Commons License has granted permission to print it here.
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