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Central Sensitization

By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com

Updated: December 05, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Sensitization is a gradual change in how your immune system reacts to a particular substance. The result of sensitization is an allergy.

In central sensitization, the entire central nervous system becomes sensitized to a stimulus. This is a proposed mechanism for many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, including the way the body amplifies pain signals.

Also Known As: Central sensitivity

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