Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
06:44
Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain
Published on: June 23, 2009
20.2K
Is oral dysaesthesia a somatic symptom disorder?
Kenelm Chun Lam Kwong1, Sue-Ching Yeoh2, Ramesh Balasubramaniam3
1Department of Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Special Needs Dentistry, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
Summary
Oral dysaesthesia, an unexplained alteration in oral sensation, may be a somatic symptom disorder. Research is exploring its neuropathic origins and psychological connections for better management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Oral dysaesthesia involves altered oral sensations without visible pathology.
- Historically viewed as psychosomatic, recent focus is on neuropathic causes.
- Psychological and psychotropic treatments are common management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the pathogenesis of oral dysaesthesia.
- To explore the potential classification of oral dysaesthesia as a somatic symptom disorder.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on oral dysaesthesia.
- Analysis of research on neuropathic and psychological etiologies.
- Exploration of diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder.
Main Results:
- Uncertainty persists regarding the exact cause of oral dysaesthesia.
- Evidence suggests both peripheral/central neuropathic and psychological factors may be involved.
- The condition's characteristics align with aspects of somatic symptom disorder.
Conclusions:
- Oral dysaesthesia likely involves complex interactions between neurological and psychological factors.
- Further research is needed to clarify its classification and optimize treatment.
- Considering oral dysaesthesia as a somatic symptom disorder warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Taste Buds and Receptors
4.3K
Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
4.3K
01:03Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
11.0K
The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
11.0K
01:27Synesthesia
393
Synesthesia is a remarkable condition where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People with synesthesia experience a blending or crossing of their senses, such as sight and sound, leading to cross-modal sensations. In this condition, the stimulation of one sense, such as hearing a number or musical note, triggers an experience of another sense, like sensing a specific color, taste, or smell. People...
393
01:18Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
1.3K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
1.3K
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
249
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
249
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
1.3K
The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to various disorders. If the lower esophageal sphincter is damaged, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the lining. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as heartburn) and may cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing. In the stomach, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, chronic alcohol consumption, bacterial infections such as Helicobacter...
1.3K