Neuropathic pain happens when the body’s nervous system is not working properly. It may result in certain types of pain like- burning sensation, pricking sensation in the hand, pain in peripheral nerves and spinal cord, shooting or stabbing pain, back pain, tingling pain, sudden and sharp electric shock sensation in the leg. More than 10% people around the world are affected with this.
Sometimes patients already having health issues like Spondylitis or slip disc, who also complaint of electric shock sensation in the leg area. Patients who have had herpes zoster may also complaint of a burning pain after healing of herpes.
Who are affected with neuropathic pain?
It is a pain coming from nerves or compression of nerves. But, still there are some people who are more prone to this are-
- People with new or prolonged diabetes condition
- HIV patients
- Thyroid patients
- People who take excessive alcohol.
- Facial nerve problems
Some other causes are-
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Radiation therapy
- Nerve compression by tumors
- Any kind of trauma
- Any amputation
How do you know you have nerve problem?
If you are experiencing any spontaneous or evoked pain, discomforting or abnormal sensation, disturbed sleep and some unpleasant pain in some parts of your body, then you should see your physician immediately because, these are the symptoms of neuropathic pain.
Some of its examples are-
1. Carpal tunnel syndrome- when the median nerve of the hand gets compressed then this pain happens. It is mostly seen in pregnant women.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
2. Slipped disc- back ache or lower back pain
Slip disc
Treatment
Nerve pain medicine for neuropathic pain-
- Pregabalin
- Anti depressant medicine
- Gabapentin
- Topical treatments like- patches, creams and ointments
There are some non surgical treatments to this-
- Ultrasound guided nerve stimulation
- Regenerative therapy or prolotherapy . Mostly used for diabetes patients.
- Radiofrequency ablation
Refer to the video by Dr. Rajendra Sahoo
Reference: my.clevelandclinic.org
