Neuralgia is severe, sharp pain caused by a damaged or irritated nerve. The pain can occur anywhere in the body, while the symptoms can be mild or severe. Age, infections and a number of chronic conditions can cause this condition. While treatment usually depends on the underlying cause, some medications and surgical procedures can effectively treat neuralgia.
Severe neuralgia can have a negative impact on a person's life, preventing them from carrying out everyday tasks. For this reason, it is important to first seek the support of a specialist in case of complaints and symptoms.
What are the Causes and Symptoms of Neuralgia?
Although the causes of neuralgia are not fully known, there are many factors that can lead to this condition. Among the causative factors; advanced age, diabetes, kidney disease, pressure on the nerves as a result of various tumors and some infections may be included. The causes of neuralgia can be listed as follows:
Infections
Shingles is a serious complication of infections such as Lyme disease or HIV. This condition is more common in the elderly than in young people and adults.
Pressure
Pressure on the nerves can also cause this condition. It can occur when there is pressure on nerves coming from bones, blood vessels or tumors.
Diabetes
High blood sugar levels damage nerve cells as well as blood vessels. In such cases, the risk of developing diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy is high. Numbness or burning in the hands and feet may occur.
Depending on the type and severity of the disease, intense and prominent symptoms may occur in certain parts of the body. Neuralgia symptoms can be listed as follows:
- Burning or stinging pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Involuntary muscle twitching or cramping
What are the Types of Neuralgia?
Common types of neuralgia include Trigeminal Neuralgia, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Occipital Neuralgia and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. These are pains that develop in certain parts of the body due to damage to the nerves.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
It is known as the most common type of neuralgia and involves the trigeminal nerve in the head. This nerve has 3 branches that send signals from the brain to the face, mouth, teeth and nose. Hypersensitivity occurs on the face. Painful pain can occur when touching the face, eating, shaving, talking or laughing.
Postherpetic Neuralgia
It is a painful condition that affects the nerves in the skin. It is the most common complication of shingles. Shingles is a viral infection that causes itching, blisters and painful skin rashes. With the right treatment, the pain and skin lesions will heal. However, the condition may recur or may not improve. The risk of occurrence increases with advancing age.
Occipital Neuralgia
It affects the occipital nerves that exit the neck and send signals to the back of the head. While it can cause constant pain, it can also cause pain in the back of the eyes.
Peripheral Neuralgia
This condition, also called peripheral neuropathy, refers to pain caused by nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. It can involve all nerve fibers outside the brain and spinal cord.
How is neuralgia diagnosed?
There is no test that can diagnose neuralgia as it can be caused by various problems. In cases where symptoms occur, a specialist should be seen immediately and the necessary controls should be performed. The physician will take a detailed medical history and perform a neurological examination.
A blood test may be performed to check for infection, while imaging techniques may be used to determine whether there is pressure on the nerves. If the diagnosis of neuralgia is suspected, the specialist may use computed tomography (CT), MRI or other imaging methods to detect tumors or other conditions.
What are Neuralgia Treatment Methods?
Neuralgia treatment is performed depending on the underlying causes. The type and severity of the condition should be determined and treatment should be planned accordingly. As a result of a definitive diagnosis, medication or surgical intervention can be applied to the patient. Prescription medications are usually used in the treatment of neuralgia whose cause cannot be determined.
Medication is used to control severe pain and reduce the frequency of symptoms. In addition to medication, local creams, nerve blockade and wigwam interventions are also recommended. Depending on the type of disease, neuropathic pain medications, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used in the treatment. In some cases, the most effective treatment method is surgery.
