Functional Illness of the Head and Neck

Brian W. BlakleyUniversity of ManitobaOtolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryWinnipeg, ManitobaCanada Joan E. BlakleyWinnipeg, ManitobaCanada

“The trainees will still invest in atlases showing what can be achieved with a high speed drill, a laser, a robot or an endoscope but this truly novel book would prove a far more useful exercise. The topic will make up a significant proportion … of a career and the most senior of us would benefit from reading this. … I felt sure this would be an invaluable addition and it proves so.” (L Flood, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, March 3, 2023)

• Section I: The basics.- What is functional illness?.- How attitudes toward functional illness has changed over the years.- How does medical research deal with functional illness.- The role of the patient.- The approach of functional symptoms and how it differs from traditional approaches.- Psychological and social aspects of functional illness.- Decision-making in treatment of functional illness.- Basic Science related to functional symptoms.- Altered sensations.- Central sensitization and central sensitization syndromes.- Allodynia, hyperalgesia, dysgeusia, dysosmia, hyperacusis.- Stress and illness.- Environmental illness.- Section II: Specific symptoms.- Anxiety.- Depression.- Chronic pain syndromes: Neck pain, shoulder pain, ear pain, facial pain, generalized pain, myofascial pain and trigger points.- Dizziness.- Headaches.- Tinnitus.- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue.- Other symptoms.- Section III: Treatment.- Pharmacology of functional symptoms.- Medication side-effects and illness.- Alternative medical treatments.- Vitamins.- Diet.