Coffin-Siris Syndrome

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

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

Nerve sensitization is a serious and underdiagnosed stress-related condition. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Severe headaches, digestive issues, and chronic neck and back pain can result when stress isn't properly identified and managed. Known as central sensitization syndromes (CSS), the debilitating conditions are often missed by traditional healthcare practices, leading to a long-lasting disability. Under high stress, the body's weakest link breaks, which may mean headaches, back pain, or digestive issues. With sensitization, the nerves are more sensitive to stimuli. The nerves and the brain relay the message of extreme pain. The physical impact of touch, pressure, and movement are heightened in a person with nerve sensitization. In addition to the pain, symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, disrupted sleep, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. According to Dr. Johnson, CSS sufferers struggle to get through their work day, their energy levels half of before. Difficulties concentrating make the work they do get through harder. Dr. Shana Johnson, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, specializes in treating these disorders. Her interest arose from her own bout with a stress-related disorder. "I can personally relate to my patients' pain and emotional distress," explains Dr. Johnson. "I had very real symptoms of agonizing pain. Conventional tests weren't able to show what was wrong. Initially, providers dismissed my symptoms. I had to put the pieces together for myself." She adds that when nerve sensitization is missed, people often seek out opioids, because they are confused and desperate for relief. A physician heals herself When her symptoms began, Dr. Johnson was working in neurology, treating people with conditions that impact the brain, spine, and nerves. She managed a clinic for multiple sclerosis and also treated traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and stroke survivors. Her work and her personal physical pain prompted Dr. Johnson to further explore the science behind what she knew was a true medical condition. "With CSS, the patient feels pain more easily, more intensely, and in more places. For example, you might lift a 50-pound box and feel a pull in your back. A CSS sufferer lifts a 25-pound box and the pain is excruciating." explains Dr. Johnson, author of the forthcoming book on the subject, Sunbreak. "There are many ways to manage the symptoms of CSS," Dr. Shana Johnson concludes. "But it starts with seeking help from a provider who understands the condition." For more information, visit SOURCE Ask Dr Shana