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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
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Copyright 1986, 1987, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007
Synonyms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
- Algodystrophy
- Algoneurodystrophy
- Causalgia Syndrome (Major)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy
- RSDS
- Sudeck's Atrophy
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system that is characterized by chronic, severe pain. The sympathetic nervous system is that part of the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary functions of the body such as increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and increasing blood pressure. Excessive or abnormal responses of portions of the sympathetic nervous system are thought to be responsible for the pain associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.
The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome typically begin with burning pain, especially in an arm, finger(s), palm of the hand(s), and/or shoulder(s). In some individuals, RSDS may occur in one or both legs or it may be localized to one knee or hip. Frequently, RSDS may be misdiagnosed as a painful nerve injury. The skin over the affected area(s) may become swollen (edema) and inflamed. Affected skin may be extremely sensitive to touch and to hot or cold temperatures (cutaneous hypersensitivity). The affected limb(s) may perspire excessively and be warm to the touch (vasomotor instability). The exact cause of RSDS is not fully understood, although it may be associated with injury to the nerves, trauma, surgery, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, infection, or radiation therapy.
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Organizations related to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
- American Chronic Pain Association
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin CA 95677
Phone #: 916-632-0922
800 #: 800-533-3231
e-mail: ACPA@pacbell.net
Home page: http://www.theacpa.org
- American Pain Foundation
201 North Charles Street
Suite 710
Baltimore MD 21201-4111
Phone #: 410-783-7292
800 #: 888-615-7246
e-mail: info@painfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.painfoundation.org
- American Pain Society
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview IL 60025-1485
Phone #: 847-375-4715
800 #: --
e-mail: info@ampainsoc.org
Home page: http://www.ampainsoc.org
- American RSDHope
P.O. Box 875
Harrison ME 04040-0875
Phone #: 207-583-4589
800 #: --
e-mail: rsdhope@adelphia.net
Home page: http://www.rsdhope.org
- Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta GA 30357-0669
Phone #: 404-965-7627
800 #: 800-283-7800
e-mail: arthritisfoundation@arthritis.org
Home page: http://www.arthritis.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
IASP Secretariat
111 Queen Anne Ave N, Suite 501
Seattle WA 98109-4955
Phone #: 206-283-0311
800 #: --
e-mail: IASPdesk@iasp-pain.org
Home page: http://www.iasp-pain.org
- Irish Chronic Pain Association
Coleraine House, Coleraine St.
Dublin None 7
Phone #: +35-3 1- 804 7567
800 #: N/A
e-mail: info@chronicpain.ie
Home page: http://www.chronicpain.ie
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Multiply, Inc.
6001 Park of Commerce Blvd. Suite 300
Boca Raton FL 33487
Phone #: N/A
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://wristinstability.multiply.com/
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda MD 20824
Phone #: 301-496-5751
800 #: 800-352-9424
e-mail: me20t@nih.gov
Home page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
- PARC: Promoting Awareness of RSD/CRPS in Canada
PO Box 21026
St. Catharines
Ontario None L2M 7X2
Phone #: 905--93-4-0261
800 #: N/A
e-mail: rsdinfo@becon.org
Home page: http://www.rsdcanada.org/parc/english/index.html
- Pain.com
c/o Dannemiller, Inc.
5711 Northwest Parkway
San Antonio TX 78246
Phone #: 210-641-8311
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.pain.com
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America
PO Box 502
99 Cherry Street
Milford CT 06460
Phone #: 203-877-3790
800 #: 877-662-7737
e-mail: info@rsds.org
Home page: http://www.rsds.org
- Vasculitis of the Central Nervous System
vasculitisoftheCNS@yahoogroups.com
None None None
Phone #: 770-978-5636
800 #: --
e-mail: cnsvsurvivor@aol.com
Home page: http://www.VasculitisoftheCNS@yahoogroups.com
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