Question
The phenomenon wherein normally innocuous stimuli produce pain is called:
The correct answer is
Allodynia
Defining Allodynia
The condition where stimuli that are normally not painful elicit pain is specifically termed allodynia. This occurs because the nervous system has become hypersensitive.
Distinguishing Pain Sensations
It's helpful to understand the different terms related to pain perception:
- Allodynia: Experiencing pain from non-painful stimuli (e.g., the touch of clothing, light pressure).
- Hyperalgesia: An exaggerated pain response to stimuli that are actually painful. The pain felt is much more intense than expected.
- Analgesia: The complete inability to feel pain.
- Sensitization: A general increase in the nervous system's response to stimuli. This can be a contributing factor to both allodynia and hyperalgesia but is a broader physiological process.
Based on the definition provided in the question, allodynia is the correct medical term for normally innocuous stimuli producing pain.
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Important Questions from Neuropathies
- Characteristic features of Horner's Syndrome are:
- All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:
- The following conditions usually present with proximal muscle weakness, EXCEPT:
- The most specific test that establishes the diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis is:
A 30-year old male was being evaluated for paraparesis. On examination, there was severe muscle atrophy, with absent deep tendon reflexes and absent Babinski sign. The most likely possibility is:
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