Nerve pain or neuralgia affects more and more people in Germany. Many wonder: how can you recognize nerve pain and can you cure it?
What is nerve pain?
Nerve pain can be caused by violent pressure, for example, a herniated disc. Nerve pain is also grouped under the technical term neuralgia. It is a stabbing pain that lasts only a short time, originating and spreading in the narrow area of one or more nerves. They can best be compared to a lightning strike. In between the attacks of pain, there is often no discomfort. The facial region and the sciatic nerve are most frequently affected. Nerve pain is one of the most painful pains of all. Nerve pain is classified according to the degree of nerve damage. Thus, nerve pain can show damage to the medullary sheath. Extremely severe pain is the result. If only the nerve fiber is damaged, nerve pain often results in numbness, which can also turn into severe pain. Nerve pain can also occur if there are circulatory problems in the nerve.
Causes
Nerve pain possesses a variety of causes. In all cases, they result from damage to nerves that run peripherally in the body. That is, the brain and spinal cord are usually excluded. Nerve pain can be caused by intense pressure, for example in the case of a herniated disc. Furthermore, burns, radiation and inflammation can lead to nerve pain. Causes of nerve pain can also be metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus or obesity. A viral disease such as influenza or malaria can also lead to nerve pain. Nerve pain can also occur after the amputation of a limb. They are called phantom limb pain. Nerve pain can be acute or chronic.
Diseases with this symptom
- Circulatory disorders
- Lyme disease
- Herniated disc
- Phantom limb pain
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
Diagnosis and course
Nerve pain is not immediately recognized as such in the beginning. For this reason, several months always pass before the affected person presents to the specialist. Typically, nerve pain is identified using standardized questionnaires. This is followed by a neurological examination. Sensory disturbances but also problems with going to the toilet then allow the correct diagnosis to be made. Blood and urine tests complete the picture. The neurologist also measures the nerve conduction velocity as well as the electrical activity in the region affected by nerve pain in order to initiate the necessary steps. The sooner nerve pain is detected, the better the chances of recovery. After all, the risk of persistent damage increases with time. In the worst case, only the frequency and severity of the pain can be reduced.
Complications
If left untreated, nerve pain increases qualitatively as well as quantitatively in most cases. Restricted movement and poor posture are complications that occur as a result. Everyday tasks or sports activities can no longer be performed. The mental condition suffers. Physical malpositions cause muscle tension and pain throughout the body. The well-being is clearly reduced. Mood swings occur and irritability is possible. Interpersonal relationships are strained and can lead to problems both privately and professionally. Arguments, misunderstandings and conflicts occur. The pain often leads to a lack of sleep. The affected person feels listless and suffers from lack of strength. Due to the lack of sleep, the regeneration of the body cannot take place as necessary. This puts a strain on the entire organism as well as on the functioning of all systems. Taking medications triggers side effects, such as stomach aches, attention deficits or headaches. Circulatory disorders or a feeling of numbness on the skin are other complications. Some people experience increased blood pressure. In severe cases, there is a threat of cardiovascular problems or a heart attack. Despite treatment measures, the nerve pain can cause irreparable damage to the organism. If the nerve dies, dysfunctions of individual systems or organs occur.When a body part is amputated, phantom limb pain continues to occur and is classified as nerve pain. They are burdensome for the affected person.
When should one go to the doctor?
Nerve pain indicates a serious underlying disease and must be clarified by a doctor. A visit to the doctor is already recommended at the first sensory disturbances or other symptoms that cannot be alleviated by usual measures. Unrelieved pain in the arms, legs or spine should be documented in a complaints diary and discussed promptly with the family doctor. A visit to the doctor is particularly urgent if problems occur when going to the toilet. Then the nerve disorder may already be advanced and have caused lasting damage. If a slipped disc is suspected, a trip to the hospital is recommended. Likewise, if AIDS, Lyme disease or a viral flu is suspected, because nerve pain is often a result of these viral diseases. Burning nerve pain can indicate diabetes or herpes zoster and should be clarified immediately. The same applies if the complaints occur as a result of an infection with chickenpox or after an accident or fall. After surgery, nerve pain indicates a complication that must be investigated by the attending physician and treated if necessary.
Treatment and therapy
Nerve pain should in no case be treated only by conventional medicine. The first step in nerve pain is the administration of medication to make the pain bearable. These include painkillers, antiepileptic drugs, or antidepressants. But neither does this fight the cause, nor does anyone want to swallow pills in the long run. Physiotherapy and osteopathy can help. Especially in the case of the well-known trigeminal neuralgia, surgery can sometimes lead to a relief of the symptoms. Here, the roots of the nerves are cut to stop the unbearable nerve pain. Nevertheless, more and more doctors also rely on homeopathic medicines for nerve pain. Acupuncture can be helpful. The fine needles relieve tension and take pressure off the nerve. One should not forget that nerve pain can also be an expression of overload. The inner balance can help that nerve pain disappears permanently. It is important to avoid alcohol and cigarettes when suffering from nerve pain. Heat packs and the unconditional avoidance of hypothermia and colds have also proven helpful. Many doctors also prefer the administration of vitamin B12. It is injected into the muscle or under the skin.
Outlook and prognosis
Usually, a relatively long time passes before the patient decides to see a doctor about nerve pain. Thus, the affected person often has disturbances in sensation or can no longer perceive certain feelings properly. Due to the nerve pain, certain tasks in everyday life can no longer be performed easily. Sporting activities are also no longer possible in many cases. There is tension in the muscles and also often mood swings if the nerve pain is not treated. In addition to the nerve pain itself, there is often dizziness, headaches, or pain in the abdomen and lower body. In some cases, cutting the nerves can end the pain, but this requires surgery. Often, however, patients can combat the nerve pain themselves by adopting a healthy lifestyle. In any case, this includes abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes. Heat also has a positive effect on nerve pain. However, they cannot be completely treated in all cases.
Prevention
Nerve pain can be prevented only to a limited extent. For example, damage to the nerves from mechanical pressure can happen unprepared. No one can predict when a herniated disc will occur. The affected person is helpless at that moment and at the mercy of the shooting pain. But it seems to be important to avoid any stress in life. Since pain and also nerve pain often arise from overload, one should keep healthy with regular sports (jogging, walking, cycling, swimming). In addition, a body that is accustomed to changing conditions compensates for stress more quickly. The balance of body and soul can thus prevent the development of nerve pain.
You can do it yourself
Often, nerve pain cannot be cured because the damaged nerve cells cannot fully regenerate. The system responsible for conducting pain is disrupted by disease, injury or infection. However, sufferers have options to relieve the pain somewhat. Nerve pain is stabbing or burning in varying intensity. They occur spontaneously, in the form of attacks. The skin in the affected area is hypersensitive and reacts to even the slightest touch. If no cause-related treatment is possible, pain therapy should begin as early as possible to avoid a chronic course. Basic treatment with medication is almost always necessary. In addition, the patient can influence the intensity of the pain with psychological therapies. Protective behavior should be reduced to a large extent, because one-sided stress leads to further restrictions of the musculoskeletal system and generates new pain elsewhere. Occupational therapy can help to increase satisfaction in everyday life. Learning relaxation techniques is helpful. Physical therapies are also used in combination with pain medication. Weak current treatments, for example, have proven effective here. Acupuncture can also be helpful, depending on the underlying condition. Physical activity is important because with inactivity, muscles atrophy and the nerves surrounding them become tense and can exacerbate pain. In self-help groups, sufferers experience support, which positively affects the psyche.
