Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, originates in the nervous system. The condition causes chronic and severe stabbing or tingling sensations that often worsen with activity. It is often accompanied by muscle weakness and numbness. It causes extreme difficulties in daily life and a heightened sense of anxiety. Chronic nerve disease patients have a decreased quality of life and are unlikely to have any normal lifestyle due to the chronic pain and fear accompanying it.
The nerve pain symptoms are very similar to other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis, and the patient’s usual symptoms are minimized or overlooked. Nerve pain has many different causes and can be easily mistaken for other conditions, so it is essential to seek medical attention. This article will discuss additional requirements that can cause nerve pain and their possible treatment.
Causes of Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is a symptom of many different health conditions. It is caused by damage to nerves or the muscles controlled by those nerves and can vary from person to person. Here are five of the most common causes of nerve pain
- Nerve Injuries - One of the leading causes of nerve pain is damage to nerves. Trauma to the nerve can cause pain and other symptoms, as well as tingling or numbness in a specific part of your body. Chipped, cracked or partially severed nerves can cause pain and other symptoms. Accidents such as motor vehicle crashes, sports accidents, and falls are frequent causes of nerve pain. Trauma from surgery and injuries is also a common cause of nerve pain.
- Diabetes - Diabetes is a common cause of nerve pain. Diabetes affects the communication between nerves and muscles, resulting in pain and muscle weakness. Nerve pain is due to damage to the nerves as well as diabetes which damages the muscles. People often have trouble understanding when they have nerve pain and are not eager to get medical attention. Diabetic nerve pain can be excruciating and is often misdiagnosed as back pain.
- Multiple Sclerosis - Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes damage to the nerves. It occurs as a result of the attack to nerve fibers causing inflammation and scarring on the nerves. The main symptoms include vision disturbances, muscle coordination issues, poor balance and weakness, problems with thinking and memory and nerve pain. Often nerve pain can be so severe it interferes with daily tasks and causes significant difficulties.
- Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is also a common cause of nerve pain. Chemotherapy is often used as a treatment for cancer and can damage the nerves. Chemotherapy can also cause side effects such as feeling sick, dizziness, memory loss and weight loss. Chemotherapy causes nerve pain due to the damage caused to the nervous system. Radio waves are used in magnetic resonance imaging during treating nerve pain due to damage caused to the nervous system by chemotherapy.
- Spinal Cord Diseases - Spinal cord diseases are another cause of nerve pain. Spine diseases affect the nerves that send signals to muscles and parts of the body. Conditions in the spinal cord can result in multiple symptoms, including severe pain and sensitivity to touch, which often feel like an electric shock to a susceptible part of your body.
- Cardiac Disorders - Heart problems such as congestive heart failure and arrhythmia can cause nerve pain. The heart and veins around it send signals to the nerves, which in turn send alerts to the muscles in your hands, feet, arms, legs and other body parts.
Handling Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can be handled in many different ways. The cause of nerve pain should be identified before treating it. Spinal cord diseases are often misdiagnosed as back problems. So, if you have nerve pain, you must see a doctor as soon as possible. Treatments for nerve pain should be comprehensive and address all the causes. Your doctor will treat the root causes of your nerve pain to prevent it from recurring.
Medications can reduce nerve pain symptoms by blocking the signal between the nerve and the muscle it controls. More potent drugs may be used in those instances where there is increased pressure on the affected nerves causing pain.
Physical Therapy is also a very effective way to treat nerve pain. Physical Therapy stretches and strengthens the affected muscles and nerves. A doctor can also recommend cranial sacral treatments for nerve pain relief. Cranial sacral treatments used for chronic pain relief are gentle, relaxing and safe.
Nerve pain can be caused by many conditions and is a common complaint. To start the correct treatment, seek medical attention if you have nerve pain. Nerve pain is a widespread cause of chronic pain and many other health issues which can be successfully treated with diagnosis and treatment. The causes of nerve pain are numerous, and though some cases may only require medication, other times, correcting the root cause of the trauma to the nerves will also yield positive results.