The loss of pain and/or temperature sensation can accompany any condition that damages the nerve pathways responsible for receiving, transmitting, or processing external stimuli. Therefore, problems with the peripheral nerves in the body as well as conditions affecting the brain or spinal cord may result in the loss of temperature sensation. A wide variety of conditions, ranging from tumors to chronic diseases to infections, can cause damage to the nerves that results in loss of sensation. When loss of sensation occurs in the setting of peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves in the body), antidepressant and antiseizure medications are sometimes used for relief.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
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Other Causes of Loss of Temperature Sensation
- Decompression Sickness
- Drugs/Toxins
- Friedrich's Ataxia
- Myelitis
- Myelopathy
- Paralysis
- Poisoning
- Radiation Therapy
- Radicular Neuropathy
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Cord Tumors
- Syringomyelia
- Trauma to Spinal Cord
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Examples of Medications for Loss of Temperature Sensation
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