Neuralgia Pain
PAIN CONDITION
Neuralgia: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief
Neuralgia or neuralgic pain is a specific type of nerve pain. It refers to pain along a nerve’s pathway due to damage or irritation.[1] It’s common in older generations but can affect anyone.[2] Neuralgic nerve pain can be so debilitating that it affects daily routines and severely reduces their quality of life.
About Neuralgia
Neuralgia or neuralgic pain refers to intense, shooting, or burning sensations triggered by stimulation of a localized area.[3] It involves severe, localized pain along a specific damaged nerve pathway and is a symptom of a condition or injury.[2] Like neuropathy, neuralgia is nerve pain that can make daily activities challenging and reduce the quality of life.[4]
Types of Neuralgia
According to Medical News Today, neuralgia can affect any part of the body, but there are several common types:
- Trigeminal neuralgia: Affects face, mouth, teeth and nose.
- Postherpetic neuralgia: Pain within your skin following a shingles infection.
- Occipital neuralgia: Pain in the back of your head that can radiate across your scalp to your neck, eyes and behind the ears.
- Peripheral neuralgia: Felt mostly in your extremities (hands, feet, arms and legs). Sometimes called peripheral neuropathy.
- Intercostal neuralgia: Sharp, burning pain in the chest, upper back and upper abdomen.
Difference Between Neuralgia and Neuropathy
Neuropathy and neuralgia involve the nerves, but the difference between them lies in the symptoms and causes of each condition. Neuropathy is a broader term that refers to various diseases or disorders that cause nerve dysfunction. Neuropathy pain is numbness, tingling or weakness that worsens over time.
Neuralgia presents as severe, localized pain along a specific damaged nerve, often triggered by mild stimulation of the area. Think of neuralgia as a focused attack on one nerve and neuropathy as a systemic issue affecting multiple nerves.
Neuralgia Pain Symptoms
Depending on the cause and type of neuralgia, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some neuralgic has a sudden onset with no direct cause.[5]
Neuralgia symptoms can vary but often include:
- Sharp, stabbing pain that feels like an electric shock [1]
- Hypersensitivity to touch, movement, and temperature changes. [1]
- Localized to a specific area, such as the face, chest, or limbs. [2]
- Weakness or coordination issues [1]
- Muscle spasms in affected area [2]
Neuralgic Pain Causes
Neuralgia pain is due to disruption of the nerve’s structure or function.[3]
Causes may include medical conditions and lifestyle factors such as:
- Infections like herpes zoster (shingles), HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease, and syphilis [5]
- Chemotherapy medications [5]
Nerve compression or pressure due to bones, ligaments, blood vessels or tumors [5] - Injury or trauma (including surgery) [2]
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) [1]
- Diabetes [1]
- Alcohol toxicity [1]
- Nutritional deficiencies [1]
- Kidney or liver disease [1]
Pain Management Treatments
Pain relief treatment for neuralgia can vary depending on the type and severity. If your doctor knows the root cause of your neuralgic pain, therapy will be more targeted. Medications to manage nerve pain may include anticonvulsants, antidepressants and muscle relaxers.[4]
Lifestyle changes may include eating a healthy diet, monitoring your blood sugar levels and utilizing supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies.[6] Some patients may also get relief from physical therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback therapy, regular exercise and meditation. These will also complement any pain management treatment plan.
For patients seeking to relieve neuralgic pain without surgery, pain management offers a variety of minimally invasive options, such as:
Injection Therapies:
- Nerve blocks
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Stellate ganglion blocks
- Epidural steroid injections
- Occipital nerve blocks
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Lumbar sympathetic blocks
- Costovertebral joint injections
- Peripheral nerve blocks
Advanced Interventional Procedures:
When to Consult a Neuralgia Pain Care Specialist
If your neuralgic nerve pain worsens or disrupts your daily life, it’s time to seek comprehensive treatment. Your pain specialist will perform a physical exam, review your medical history and order tests like bloodwork to identify the source of your pain. From there, a customized plan that addresses your symptoms and lifestyle needs.
The goal is to alleviate the painful sensations that prevent you from living comfortably and enjoying life to the fullest. Don’t let neuralgic pain take control—consult with your pain physician to begin a tailored treatment plan that not only combats your pain but also helps you regain your quality of life.
Resources:
- Moawad H. What to Know About Neuralgia. Verywell Health [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed December 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/neuralgia-8671886
- Neuralgia. Better Health Channel [Internet]. Accessed December 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/neuralgia
- Ellis ME. What You Need to Know About Neuralgia. Healthline [Internet]. Accessed December 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/neuralgia
- Eske J. What to know about neuralgia. Medicalnewstoday.com. Published May 30, 2019. Accessed December 12, 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325331#
- Neuralgia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medline Plus [Internet]. Accessed December 15, 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001407.htm
- Parker H. Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage – WebMD: Neurological Symptoms. WebMD [Internet]. Published April 15, 2022. Accessed December 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/brain/nerve-pain-and-nerve-damage-symptoms-and-causes