Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state that usually is accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured, and thus send incorrect signals to other pain centers within the nervous system.

Introduction

Neuropathic pain is a type of pain that arises from the malfunction of the nervous system following a nerve injury. This can result from various conditions that involve damage to the peripheral or central nervous system.

Causes

Neuropathic pain can be caused by a number of health conditions, such as diabetes, shingles, cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, chemotherapy, or physical trauma to the nerves. Sometimes, it can also be idiopathic, meaning it has no identifiable cause.

Symptoms

Neuropathic pain is often described as a burning or shooting pain. It can be associated with an array of symptoms including spontaneous pain, evoked pain (like hyperalgesia or allodynia), and various abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or an electric shock-like sensation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of neuropathic pain involves a detailed patient history, physical examination, and sometimes diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause. This can include nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), or imaging techniques such as MRI.

Treatment

Treatment of neuropathic pain can be challenging and often requires a multidisciplinary approach. This can include medications (like antiepileptics, antidepressants, opioids, and topical agents), interventional procedures, physical therapy, psychological support, and sometimes surgery.

See Also

• Pain
• Neurology
• Neuropathy
• Chronic Pain

References

Neuropathic pain Resources
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