Central Sensitizations

Sunbreak explains the nerve disorder affecting 30 million Americans SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty million people in the United States suffer from a condition that causes chronic pain, but conventional medical testing doesn't show the source of the problem. Central sensitization syndrome (CSS) stems from a dysfunction in the nervous system, where over-reactive nerves send exaggerated pain signals. Chronic back, neck, and stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, and bladder pain are types of CSS. A new book sheds light on the condition, including how stress can escalate the pains. Sunbreak, by Dr. Shana Johnson, explains CSS and the reasons the conditions are so difficult to diagnose. Dr Johnson, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, shares the process and tools she found helpful in healing herself and others. "It's like revving your car's engine constantly. At some point, it's going to break down," explains Dr. Johnson. "Under high stress, the body's weakest link breaks. This is complicated by central sensitization, an abnormal process in the brain that intensifies pain." Central sensitization syndrome isn't easily seen. Conventional MRIs and x-rays don't show nerves that are overly reactive. Dr. Johnson has helped CSS sufferers find the help they need, after years of being dismissed by providers who didn't understand sensitization. Often, these patients were led to believe they were imagining their symptoms. The solution, she explains, begins with the correct diagnosis and understanding of the nervous system's role in the condition. "You have to be looking for the specific signs," she notes. "And each situation is unique. We treat the source of the initial injury, like a back injury, and then the sensitization. You can't be effective without the combination." In Sunbreak, Dr. Johnson explains how the nerves become sensitized, the role of stress in the dysfunction, and various treatment options tailored to the individual. She follows the wellness journeys of several patients, each with a different stress-related disorder or sensitization syndrome—from migraines and chronic back pain to panic attacks and depression. Sunbreak will be released in early summer 2023. For more information, visit askdrshana.com. Source: AskDrShana SOURCE Ask Dr. Shana

Stress changes your physiology, leading to chronic health problems SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Too much work stress hits you in unforeseen physical ways, resulting in a stress-related disorder. Chronic and intense headaches, pain in the back, neck, and stomach, and conditions like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome can arise from long periods of extreme stress. Dr. Shana Johnson, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, specializes in central sensitization syndrome (CSS). She explains, "Under high stress, the body's weakest link breaks, which may mean headaches, back pain, or digestive issues. This is complicated by central sensitization, an abnormal process in the brain that intensifies pain." Stress can destroy your health. Bryan, an entrepreneur, learned how stress can change your life for the worse. He had built his construction company from the ground up over a ten-year period. Bryan simultaneously functioned as CEO, COO, and the director of both HR and IT, as well as being involved in the day-to-day workings of the business. After a particularly grueling three-month period, Bryan experienced intense pain behind one eye. He thought he was having a stroke and went to the emergency room. A CT scan showed no sign of a stroke. He was diagnosed with a severe migraine. The prescribed medication relieved the pain but didn't explain the reason for Bryan's headaches. He sought help from Dr. Johnson. Treat the cause, not just the symptoms. "It was clear Bryan's stress triggered his headaches. His body and brain couldn't tolerate his high stress levels. His workload was unsustainable," says Dr. Johnson, author of Sunbreak, the forthcoming book on stress-related disorders and central sensitization syndromes. Three-step treatment plan Scaling back on his work was a tough change, but Bryan knew he couldn't live with the headaches. Dr. Johnson developed a treatment plan: Awareness. Bryan needed to note when he felt a headache coming on, recognizing the connection between stress and his physical response. Stress management. Bryan hired additional staff so he could delegate more of his responsibilities. Medication. Long-term stress led to a chronic headache disorder that wouldn't go away, but daily medication could manage the pain. Control your stress before it controls you. Too much stress can lead to health problems. Visit askdrshana.com to learn more about the connection between stress and your health. SOURCE Ask Dr. Shana

Why is agonizing nerve sensitization missed? SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine being afraid to move, afraid to eat, or afraid to be close to your partner. An estimated 30 million people in the United States suffer from a central sensitization syndrome (CSS). Conditions where dysfunction in the nervous system leads to unrelenting back pain making movement difficult, irritable bowel limiting eating, or bladder pain ending plans. The pain, driven by nerve sensitization, does not respond to standard treatments because the problem has shifted from the injury to the nervous system. This shift is often missed. "Conventional tests don't show sensitization, so if you don't know to look for this condition, it can be missed. If you have debilitating pain with mostly normal medical tests, nerve sensitization is a consideration," explains Dr. Shana Johnson, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. With sensitization, nerves are more reactive and responsive to stimuli, increasing pain signals to the brain. They are like a tattletale, constantly telling the brain something is wrong. Severe back pain, bladder pain, or digestive issues result. Dr. Johnson, author of the forthcoming book on CSS, Sunbreak, explains that people with CSS feel pain more easily, more intensely, and in more places. For example, a person with CSS might lift a 10-pound box and experience back pain similar to that of a 50-pound box. Common conditions, uncommon source According to researcher Muhammad B. Yunus, CSS is likely the most common reason that patients visit an outpatient clinic. He estimates that more than 30 million adults in the U.S. suffer from one or more sensitization syndromes. Common CSS include chronic neck, back, and stomach pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, and chronic bladder pain. In addition to the pain, symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, disrupted sleep, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. "The problem with nerve sensitization being missed is that it can lead to long-lasting disability," explains Dr. Johnson, adding that there are treatment options, but it starts with the right diagnosis. If you have CSS, talk with a provider with experience treating nerve sensitization. For more information visit . SOURCE Ask Dr. Shana