BILL NUMBER: SCR 83	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  82
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 17, 2002
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 13, 2002
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  MAY 29, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Figueroa

                        MAY 6, 2002

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 83--Relative to Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 83, Figueroa.  Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome
Awareness Month.
   This measure would proclaim May 2002 as Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Awareness Month.




   WHEREAS, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome, a
progressive multisymptom, multisystem, neuromuscular, and
neurovascular disorder, is a debilitating chronic pain disease
simultaneously involving nerves, muscles, blood vessels, skin, bones,
and tissue; and
   WHEREAS, It can develop after an injury, minor or major, and
generally occurs in a limb; and
   WHEREAS, RSD attacks the sympathetic nervous system, causing it to
become confused, leading to a variety of symptoms that result in
devastating consequences; and
   WHEREAS, If misdiagnosed or left untreated, RSD begins to damage
the surrounding tissues, and can spread to virtually all areas of the
body and ultimately lead to total disability; and
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis is crucial; there is a short window of
time during which RSD can possibly be mitigated, usually within the
first three to six months after onset; and
   WHEREAS, Proper aggressive treatment by qualified pain management
professionals can lead to relief of pain and associated symptoms; and

   WHEREAS, As RSD progresses, treatment becomes increasingly
difficult; and
   WHEREAS, Although millions in the United States are affected with
RSD, exceeding the combined totals of those with HIV/AIDS, breast
cancer, and multiple sclerosis, it is not well known by the public or
some medical professionals, and this lack of knowledge causes many
patients to suffer needlessly for many years; and
   WHEREAS, RSD knows no age, gender, race, or nationality barrier
and can strike anyone at anytime; and
   WHEREAS, Other events that can cause RSD include infections, cuts,
pricks of fingers or toes, soft tissue injuries, crush injuries,
injury to any area rich in nerve endings, fractures, sprains,
dislocations, broken bones, multiple trauma to a particular body
part, surgical procedures, invasive procedures, and repetitive motion
disorders, such as that which causes carpal tunnel syndrome; and
   WHEREAS, Some signs and symptoms of RSD include severe burning
pain in a localized area that is out of proportion to the severity of
the injury, localized edema or swelling that may not always be
apparent in the later stages, hyperesthesia, which is oversensitivity
to touch and light pressure, vasospasm, which affects color and
temperature of skin, muscle atrophy, constant burning pain, decreased
range of motion, muscle spasms, stiffness, restricted mobility, and
rapid hair and nail growth; and
   WHEREAS, Although RSD sufferers may experience some or all of the
signs and symptoms, the one common element is constant burning pain,
the intensity of which can often fluctuate due to use of the affected
area, mental distress, environmental temperature, visual and
auditory stimuli, or for no apparent reason; and
   WHEREAS, Secondary to the physical suffering, those with
progressive RSD may suffer from great emotional and social harm
including depression, anxiety, isolation, career loss, financial
ruin, abandonment by family and friends, life-long disability, and
suicide; and
   WHEREAS, Although RSD dates back to the Civil War, there is no
known cure; and
   WHEREAS, Medical professionals must find the cause before they can
find the cure; and
   WHEREAS, Because RSD is not a well known disease it does not
receive adequate funding for needed medical research; and
   WHEREAS, Greater awareness of RSD in the medical community and
general public will lead to earlier intervention and increased
funding resulting in much improved, long-term quality of life; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the California Legislature proclaims May
2002 as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Awareness Month;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.