Hyperæsthesia

Hyperæsthesia (Gr. hyper, 'over,' aisthesis, 'a sensation'), in the most general sense of the word, denotes an excessive excitability of the parts of the nervous apparatus which have to do with sensation, special or common. Abnormal sensibility to pain is, however, more correctly called hyperalgnesia. In this condition, as in Tic-douloureux (q.v.), the slightest stimulus may cause a paroxysm of pain, even a current of air or a noise bringing on an attack; while in hyperæsthesia of the special senses bright flashes of light may be seen, sounds may be heard, and even smells and tastes experienced in the absence of any objective cause. Of the diseases predisposing to hyperæsthesia hysteria is far the most frequent; but it is sometimes induced by rheumatism, gout, skin diseases, inflammatory affections of the central nervous system, while it often adds greatly to the distress in the early stages of various fevers. The treatment of hyperæsthesia is that of the morbid change on which it depends, but the local application of anodynes, ice, or warm poultices, and sometimes the use of electricity may do much to diminish the patient's sufferings for the time.