2023-08-18 14:32:07
Sometimes it pricks like a thousand needles, sometimes your skin burns like fire just putting on a sweater. What is behind it is nerve pain.
Neuropathic pain, the medical term for nerve pain, is an indication of damage to the nerve tracts or the central nervous system. They are often accompanied by sensory disturbances or abnormal sensations.
The chances of recovery depend on the cause of the symptoms. Which treatment options are available and which measures bring relief.
What is nerve pain and how does it manifest itself?
Nerve pain is the direct result of damage to “feel fibers” in the nervous system. This distinguishes it from other types of pain, where the pain emanates from the nerve endings of the pain fibers. In the case of neuropathic complaints, on the other hand, the pain develops in the area of the pain pathways, which reach from the damaged nerves to the brain.
How nerve pain manifests itself and which parts of the body are affected depends on the cause. Pain is often felt not only in the injured nerves themselves, but in the parts of the body that are connected to them. In principle, this can happen anywhere on the body: on the face, trunk, back or arms and legs.
It is also possible that a nerve is only temporarily pinched or irritated. In this case one speaks of neuralgia. The pain usually comes on suddenly and often only lasts for a short time. However, if inflammation is added, it can result in constant pain.
What are the symptoms of nerve pain?
Nerve pain can affect different tissues, often originating in the skin, or it can affect the spinal cord or brain. The type and intensity of the pain varies from patient to patient. They can be burning, piercing, and stinging. You may also experience tingling or numbness.
The symptoms often occur at rest and can occur suddenly. They can also be triggered by a light touch (allodynia). There is also often an increased sensitivity to pain.
What causes neuropathic pain?
Nerve pain can have different triggers:
back injuries: Misaligned vertebral bodies or a herniated disc cause stabbing pain that can radiate to the back and legs. When the sciatic nerve is irritated or inflamed, the pain is often tingling, electric shock-like, or aching. They can radiate into the foot and are often associated with a feeling of numbness. Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Multiple nerves are often damaged as a result of type 2 diabetes, particularly in the feet, lower legs and hands. In addition to paraesthesia and sensory disturbances as well as twitching and muscle atrophy, those affected suffer from burning, stabbing, cutting or shooting pain.alcohol consumption: Besides diabetes mellitus, chronic alcohol abuse is the most common cause of polyneuropathy. The symptoms range from simple abnormal sensations such as a slight tingling in the hands or feet to disturbances in temperature and pressure perception to severe pain and paralysis in the extremities.Multiple Sclerosis: Tingling, burning sensations are typical of the autoimmune disease. Sudden shooting, stabbing pain also occurs during acute flare-ups. But permanent pain is also possible.Shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia): As a result of the reactivation of viruses that “slumber” in the nerve tracts after a chickenpox infection, severe, sometimes burning pain occurs. They affect the area of the body that the infected nerve supplies. Trigeminusneuralgie: In this nerve disease, the fibers of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) become irritated, damaged, or irritated. There is a sudden, very severe pain in the face.Carpal tunnel syndrome: A nerve constriction on the inside of the wrist causes abnormal sensations (tingling) and pain in the hand. The symptoms often appear at night.Accidents and surgeries: Nerves can be damaged as a result of accidents and operations. The type of pain depends on which part of the body is affected by the injury.
Even after chemotherapy, some patients suffer from neuropathic pain. Because some drugs that are used to fight tumors also attack the nerves.
Nerve pain: how is it diagnosed?
To prove nerve pain, the doctor first takes an anamnesis, in which the patient is asked about his previous illnesses and describes his symptoms. The pain pattern is analyzed. Because the distribution, the intensity and type of pain provide important information about a possible underlying disease.
A thorough physical and clinical-neurological examination is then carried out. Skin sensitivity, reflexes and muscle strength are tested. Additional imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or electroneurography are often used for diagnostic clarification.,
How is nerve pain treated?
Treating nerve pain is difficult and lengthy. The chances of recovery vary greatly, depending on the cause. In many cases, complete freedom from pain is not possible. If the pain is reduced by more than 30 to 50 percent, the quality of sleep and quality of life improves and those affected remain able to work, therapy is considered successful.
The following treatment methods are used for neuropathic pain:
medication: They can relieve the pain until, at best, the damaged nerves have regenerated. Opioids, antiepileptics, antidepressants, creams or medicated patches are used.Invasive procedures: These include nerve blocks (injection of a local anesthetic), infiltration or electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The measures can be used as a supplement or in acute therapy to bridge the time until the medication takes effect.Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychotherapy: As supplementary measures, they can help to alleviate the symptoms. Operation: Exposure of the nerves, for example in carpal tunnel syndrome or in the case of a tumor
Are there home remedies that help with nerve pain?
So far, there are no home remedies that have been scientifically proven to have an effect on nerve pain. However, many patients find cold or heat in the form of compresses, heating pads or baths beneficial. Cold-warm alternating baths are also worth a try.
In the case of severe nerve pain, however, one should not wait too long to take the medication prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise there is a risk that the pain will burn itself into the pain memory and become chronic.
If shingles is the cause of nerve pain, antiviral drugs are used in addition to drug pain therapy, which inhibit the multiplication of viruses.
Pain therapy for nerve pain is considered successful when the following goals have been achieved:
a pain reduction of 30 to 50 percent an improvement in the quality of sleep an improvement in the quality of life maintaining social activities and relationships maintaining the ability to work
Since neuropathic pain is often accompanied by anxiety and depression, psychological factors should be considered from the start. Psychological pain therapy, in which those affected learn strategies for coping with pain and stress, can be recommended.
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