Intense painful sensation along a nerve or group of nerves. It is caused by irritation or trauma to a nerve or inflammation of a nerve.

Symptoms of Neuralgia

The following features are indicative of Neuralgia:
  • increased sensitivity of the skin along the path of the damaged nerve
  • pain along the path of the nerve that is sharp or stabbing
  • weakness or complete paralysis of muscles

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Common Causes of Neuralgia

The following are the most common causes of Neuralgia:
  • chronic kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • herpes zoster (shingles)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lyme disease
  • syphilis

Other Causes of Neuralgia

The following are the less common causes of Neuralgia:
  • medicines such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, or vincristine
  • porphyria
  • pressure on nerves by nearby bones, ligaments, blood vessels, or tumors
  • trauma

Risk Factors for Neuralgia

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Neuralgia:
  • older age
  • severe immunosuppression
  • women

Prevention of Neuralgia

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Neuralgia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • strict control of blood sugar
  • herpes zoster virus vaccine

Occurrence of Neuralgia

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Neuralgia cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Rare between 10K - 50K cases

Common Gender

Neuralgia can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Neuralgia

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Neuralgia:
  • Physical examination: To examine abnormal sensation in the skin, reflex problems, muscle mass and tenderness
  • Dental exam: To rule out dental disorders that may cause facial pain
  • Blood test: To check blood sugar, kidney function
  • Nerve conduction study with electromyography: To find the cause of the pain
  • Ultrasound: To find the cause of pain
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): To find the cause of pain

Complications of Neuralgia if untreated

Yes, Neuralgia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Neuralgia is left untreated:
  • physical disability caused by pain

Procedures for Treatment of Neuralgia

The following procedures are used to treat Neuralgia:
  • Nerve ablation using radiofrequency, heat, balloon compression: To reduce feeling in the nerve
  • Surgery: To take pressure off a nerve

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Neuralgia

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Neuralgia:
  • Physical therapy: To treat some types of neuralgia, especially postherpetic neuralgia
  • Acupuncture therapy: Helps to relieve pain
  • Biofeedback therapy: Helps to relieve pain

Time for Treatment of Neuralgia

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Neuralgia to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 4 weeks

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Neuralgia.

Related Topics

Trigeminal Neuralgia

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