Neuralgia explained

Neuralgia is pain in a nerve pathway. Generally, neuralgia isn’t an illness in its own right, but a symptom of injury or a particular disorder. In many cases, the cause of the pain is not known. Older people are most susceptible, but people of any age can be affected.

Almost everyone will experience mild neuralgia at some point, but these bouts are usually temporary and tend to ease by themselves within a few days. Some types of neuralgia are longer lasting, debilitating and so agonising that a person’s quality of life is severely reduced. Trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that usually affects one side of the face only, is said to be one of the most painful medical conditions. Neuralgia can be managed with medications and physical therapy. Surgery is an option in some resistant cases.

Symptoms
The symptoms of neuralgia include:

• Localised pain.
• The area may be excruciatingly sensitive to touch, and any pressure is felt as pain.
• The pain can be sharp or burning, depending on the affected nerve.
• The affected area is still functional.
• The muscles may spasm.

• Shingles - inflammation of a nerve, caused by infection with the herpes virus. This common type of neuralgia is known as post-herpetic neuralgia. The pain may linger long after the shingles rash has disappeared, particularly in areas of the face.
• Infection - the nerve can be irritated by nearby infection, such as a tooth abscess.
• Pressure or injury - broken bones, slipped vertebral discs (sciatica) or certain tumours can press and irritate a nerve.
• Syphilis - in its advanced stages, this sexually transmitted disease affects the functioning of the nervous system.

• Neurological examination - to determine specific areas of pain.
• Dental examination - to check for abscesses that may be irritating nearby nerves.
• Blood tests - to check for infection.
• X-rays - to see if the affected nerves are being compressed.

• Treatment for the underlying cause - such as dental treatment and antibiotics for a tooth abscess, or surgery to remove bone from pressing against the nerve.
• Pain-killing medications - such as aspirin or codeine.
• Anticonvulsant medications - to treat the pain and muscle spasms associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
• Antidepressants - to help relieve pain in some cases.
• Surgery - to desensitise the nerve and block pain messages.
• Physical therapy - such as physiotherapy and chiropractic.
• Alternative therapies - such as acupuncture, hypnosis and meditation.

• Your doctor.

• Neuralgia is pain in a nerve pathway.
• Generally, neuralgia isn’t an illness in its own right, but a symptom of injury or particular disorders.
• In many cases, the cause of the pain is not known.
• The pain can generally be managed with medication, physical therapies or surgery.

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