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: