Neuropathic Pain

Also referred to as neuralgia, neuropathic pain is closely associated with tissue injury. When suffering from this painful condition, patients may have injured, dysfunctional or damaged nerve fibers, which could lead to chronic pain in the lower, upper, right and left parts of the affected area. A sharp pain usually affects patients once their neurological function or structure is changed. One of the clearest examples for this condition is the so-called phantom limb syndrome, wherein damaged nerve fibers relay wrong signals to the pain centers of the body.

Neuropathic Pain Symptoms

The common symptoms of this condition include numbness. Patients must also expect to have tingling sensations at times. Likewise, expect to have shooting pains. For other individuals, they sometimes feel a burning sensation.

Causes of Neuropathic Pain

People who underwent spine surgery may suffer from the symptoms of neuropathic pain, mainly because some of their nerve fibers may have been damaged in such risky medical procedure. Shingles, multiple sclerosis and facial nerve problems are also known causes for such strange and painful condition. The other possible causes are AIDS or HIV infection, diabetes and chemotherapy. It is also probable to acquire this condition through hip problems, amputation and alcoholism.

Neuropathic Pain Diagnosis

Unlike other types of pain, neuropathic pain is more difficult to diagnose. Misdiagnosis is bound to happen time after time since science has yet to have a complete grip on such medical condition, which is marked by severe and stabbing pain. The main idea behind diagnosis is to locate the damaged or injured nerve fibers and tissues, which are the main cause of the sharp pain that patients experience. Physicians usually hold a nerve conduction study on the subjects with the use of microneurography. The amount of pain will also be assessed using the so-called McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Furthermore, clinical examinations will also be held on the patients. Their responses to various kinds of stimuli will be tested including vibration, temperature and touch. Other important procedures used to diagnose this type of dull pain include skin biopsy, quantitative sensory testing as well as laser evoked potentials.

Neuropathic Pain Relief

In terms of treatment, people can relieve themselves from such the sharp pain and tingling sensations by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of the most reliable products that are guaranteed to ease the pain of patients include Motrin and Aleve. At times, doctors may recommend antidepressant drugs, anticonvulsants or strong painkillers, depending on the severity pain. Electrical stimulation may also help solve this kind of medical problem.