What term means a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli?

What term means a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli?

• A. Paresthesia
• B. Hyperesthesia
• C. Hypochondriasis
• D. Blepharoptosis

Answer: (B)

Hyperesthesia is an abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli. It means the nerves overreact to stimulation, so ordinary sensations feel much stronger, even painful, when they normally wouldn’t. This heightened sensory response can occur with nerve damage, neuropathies, or conditions that amplify how the nervous system processes sensation. By contrast, paresthesia describes abnormal sensations like tingling or pins-and-needles, which may occur without overall increased sensitivity. Hypesthesia refers to reduced sensation, not heightened. Hypochondriasis is a mental health concern about fear of illness and is not related to sensory sensitivity. Blepharoptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid and is unrelated to sensory perception.

Hyperesthesia is an abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli. It means the nerves overreact to stimulation, so ordinary sensations feel much stronger, even painful, when they normally wouldn’t. This heightened sensory response can occur with nerve damage, neuropathies, or conditions that amplify how the nervous system processes sensation. By contrast, paresthesia describes abnormal sensations like tingling or pins-and-needles, which may occur without overall increased sensitivity. Hypesthesia refers to reduced sensation, not heightened. Hypochondriasis is a mental health concern about fear of illness and is not related to sensory sensitivity. Blepharoptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid and is unrelated to sensory perception.