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Neuralgia is nerve inflammation or damage that causes pain, often due to injury, chronic health conditions, tumors, or aging. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and relieving pain with medication, lifestyle changes, and nerve blocks.
The most common causes of neuralgia are inflammation, usually related to injury; chronic health conditions, especially multiple sclerosis and diabetes; and tumors and growths that affect nerve pathways. In some cases the condition also occurs as a natural consequence of aging. It can often be relieved with certain medications and lifestyle changes, but it can’t always be completely cured. Neuralgia is a type of nerve damage, and whether or not it can truly be fixed usually depends on how severe the damage is and how early it is discovered. Healthcare providers typically try to relieve the cause first, then address any remaining nerve pain as a secondary concern.
Neuralgia basics
Neuralgia is a broad medical disorder that covers almost any type of nerve inflammation or damage. Pain is almost always the most immediate and obvious symptom, and people with this condition often feel a burning, stabbing, or tingling sensation anywhere along the main course of the nerve. These sensations are often the most profound near the nerve endings and are often very common in the head and face. Except for the inflammation of the nerves that occurs as a result of aging, the condition is very rare to occur on its own. There’s almost always some other trigger event, whether it’s an injury, chemical imbalance, or other medical issue, that causes it.
Inflammation and injury
Trauma, whether from an injury or a surgical procedure, is one of the most common causes. Internal pressure on the nerves from any source can cause the nerve and its sheath to swell, wear, and lose sensation. This is generally known medically as “inflammation” and it is this inflammation that puts pressure on the nerve. It can also cause irritation and swelling of the nerve itself.
A herniated disc in the lower back is an example of a specific injury often linked to neuralgia. If the hernia is in the neck, occipital neuralgia can occur, which causes, among other things, severe headaches. In the legs and hips, sciatica is a problem that causes pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg. In severe cases, neuralgia can also spread to the calf and ankle.
Chronic health conditions
Nerve pain and inflammation can also be caused by certain health conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis are among the most common. All of these affect the way the body’s protective coatings and natural lubrication systems function. Most of the nerves in the body are covered in several layers of insulation. The degradation of these layers often leads to neuralgia and many different medical problems can cause it.
Some infections can also be the cause. Lyme disease, an infection triggered by a tick bite, and shingles, a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, more commonly known as the varicella virus, are two common examples. Depending on individual health concerns, some medications can also cause or exacerbate neuralgia symptoms. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as some herbal supplements. In some cases, exposure to certain chemicals can also irritate the nerves.
Tumors and cancerous growths
People who have tumors and other abnormal growths may also experience neuralgia, particularly if those growths obstruct the space otherwise used by major nervous systems. A tumor in the head, for example, can cause trigeminal neuralgia, the most common form of nerve pain in the face. Breast cancer can also cause neuralgia from irritation of the nerves or from the presence of tumors in the breast.
As a result of aging
Older people sometimes experience the symptoms of neuralgia as a natural part of the body’s aging process. Nerve linings can wear down and weaken for the sole reason that they are old, and pain and inflammation can sometimes be a consequence.
Treatment options and assistance
Healthcare providers usually begin any treatment regimen by looking for the specific causes of neuralgia in an individual patient. It’s typical to start treating the underlying condition first, whether it’s an injury or a disease like diabetes. Only once the problem is under control do most try to treat or cure the nerve damage. Neuralgia often responds to pain medications, and many medical experts use them as a sort of first-line defense. Restricting movement that can aggravate the damage and learning exercises to strengthen the nerve envelope can also help. In extreme cases, nerve blocks may also be needed. These are basically injections of powerful drugs intended to dull sensation and nerve signals.
