Overview
Neuralgia is a condition where pain follows the path along the length of a nerve. The pain has been described as sharp, stabbing, burning, and shocking, and is usually due to nerve damage or irritation. Neuralgia can occur anywhere in the body and can because by diseases, infections, or aging.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment options may include:
- Antidepressants
- Antiseizure medications
- Blood sugar monitoring (diabetes-related neuralgia)
- Narcotics
- Nerve block
- Pain relievers
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
- Topical creams
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- Aching
- Atrophy
- Burning
- Cramping
- Involuntary Muscle weakness
- Muscle twitching
- Numbness
- Persistent pain
- Sudden pain described as shooting or stabbing
- Tingling
DIAGNOSIS / TESTS
Diagnostic tests include:
- Blood analysis
- Dental exam
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nerve conduction velocity test
- Physical exam
- Position interview
TYPES
Common forms include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (Pain from the glossopharyngeal nerve in the throat, not common)
- Pelvic nerve pain
- Postherpetic neuralgia (A complication of shingles)
- Sciatica
- Shingle pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia (Associated with pain following the trigeminal nerve causing pain to the face)
CAUSES
Causes & contributing factors may include:
- Cancer medications
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chemical irritation
- Diabetes
- Fluoroquinolone
- Infection (e.g. shingles)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pressure on nerves (from bones, blood vessel, ligament, tumor etc.)
- Antibiotics
- Trauma
FACTS
- A common type of neuralgia, Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in people who are over the age of 50 years old.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) affects about 50,000 people each year in the United States.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia is often misdiagnosed as a dental issue.
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OUR OFFICE:
The Pain Experts of Arizona
3370 South Mercy Road
Suite 321
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Phone: 480-550-9393
Fax: 480-999-3375