Hyperalgie

Hyperalgie, also referred to as hyperalgesia in medical literature, is a condition in which typical stimuli that would normally produce a mild or moderate level of pain elicit an abnormally intense pain response. The term originates from the Greek words "hyper," meaning excess, and "algos," meaning pain, and has been adopted in both French and English contexts to describe this heightened sensitivity. Clinically, hyperalgie may arise as an acute reaction to injury or inflammation, or it may become chronic in association with neuropathic processes, fibromyalgia, or certain autoimmune disorders.

Patients with hyperalgie often report pain that is disproportionate to the physical stimulus, increased perception of dull aches, and a tendency to experience diffuse soreness. Other associated symptoms can include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes, reflecting the broader impact of chronic pain on quality of life. Diagnosis typically involves a careful patient history, physical examination, and exclusion of other causes of pain through laboratory and imaging studies. Quantitative sensory testing may reveal lowered pain thresholds in affected individuals.

Treatment strategies focus on a multimodal approach, combining pharmacologic agents such as nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and topical lidocaine with non‑pharmacologic therapies including physical therapy, cognitive‑behavioral therapy, and acupuncture. Recent research is investigating the role of neuroinflammation and alterations in central pain processing pathways as potential targets for novel therapeutics. Understanding and managing hyperalgie remains a priority for clinicians working to alleviate suffering in patients with heightened pain sensitivity.