Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health
What Is a Central Sensitization Syndrome?
An illness described as a CSS involves something calledcentral sensitization.
“Central” means the central nervous system, which is made up of your brain and spinal cord.
Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health
“Sensitization” is the end result of something that has made you sensitive.
This is a common symptom for people with fibromyalgia.
How Common are Central Sensitization Syndromes?
Central sensitization syndromes affect millions of Americans, but the exact number is unclear.
These conditions include:
Mental health disorders are common in CSS as well.
Psychiatric conditions that commonly overlap with CSS include:
What Is Peripheral Sensitization?
Peripheral sensitization refers to an oversized response from pain receptors in the peripheral nervous system.
This can occur from nerve damage from an injury or illness.
The pain of peripheral sensitivity corresponds to the site of the injury.
What Are the Symptoms of Central Sensitization Syndrome?
and makes it worse.
It’s often referred to as “turning up the volume” of pain.
This makes things like injuries, surgeries, and chronic sources of pain especially debilitating.
Other proposed mechanisms of CSS include:
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can present differently in individuals.
Pain, fatigue, and brain fog are the most common first signs of fibromyalgia.
Other common symptoms include insomnia, headaches, depression, and digestive issues.
CSS symptoms also include a strong response to environmental stimuli and are frequently present alongside certain mental health conditions.
Treatment can include interventions for specific physical symptoms, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medication.
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