Neuralgia
The nerves in your body carry signals from your brain to the rest of the body. They’re like the international highway for your body, with signals being carried at high speeds. However, like an actual highway, they can end up jammed or damaged and can cause you numerous problems; One of which is sharp pain in the area where the damage is. This is called Neuralgia and it affects numerous people every year.
Neuralgia also has several variants that can affect you based on where they can occur on your body. For example, trigeminal neuralgia occurs as a sharp pain on your face, while occipital neuralgia happens on the back of your head moving upwards.
What Can Cause Neuralgia
Neuralgia can be caused by a wide range of things that you could encounter each day. One of the most common things that could cause Neuralgia are accidents. Particularly nasty falls is a common accident that can cause it. Major accidents like car accidents can very easily cause Neuralgia, in addition to many other conditions.
You should also know that Neuralgia can be caused by other medical conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Thyroid issues can cause it.
- Having Multiple Sclerosis means your own immune system attacks your own nerves.
- Diabetes’ effect on your blood sugar causes damage to your nerves over time, leading to Neuralgia
- Thyroid problems like Graves’ disease have a major effect on the health of your nerves.
The various types of neuralgia like trigeminal neuralgia and occipital neuralgia also have their own causes. Usually these occur depending on where the damaged nerves are.
What Can You Do To Treat Neuralgia?
Neuralgia may be a common issue that lowers the quality of life of numerous people, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat it. Like the number of things that can cause it, there are numerous ways to help ease the pain from Neuralgia as well.
One of the most common ways to help ease the pain from Neuralgia is to use heat to ease the pain. Warm compresses, and hot baths or showers are an excellent way to reduce inflammation and pressure in the area affected by the pain. This decompresses the affected nerve and reduces the pain. It’s a great first option in case you’re experiencing pain but don’t have access to a doctor at the moment.
Another way you can deal with Neuralgia is to go to the opposite end of the spectrum of warmth and use an ice pack. Just like a warm shower it helps reduce inflammation. It also helps numb the nerve and reduce the pain. However, do note that you should avoid repeated use of ice packs as repeated cold exposure can further damage your nerves.
Active Family Chiropractic, Always Ready to Help!
Neuralgia is a painful condition that can certainly reduce the quality of life you’re living. But that should never be the case. We want to be there, ready to help you when Neuralgia is causing you issues.
Our line of personalized treatments are tailor fit to your needs, and to the various conditions that you might have to deal with. This includes the numerous types of Neuralgia that can affect you.
The optimum medicine for neuralgia, or nerve pain produced by irritation or injury to a nerve, is frequently determined by the underlying cause and individual circumstances. Nerve pain is typically treated with anticonvulsant drugs such as gabapentin or pregabalin. Furthermore, tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can help manage neuralgia by regulating pain signals. However, for a comprehensive diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, it is critical to consult a healthcare specialist.
Neuralgia, often known as nerve pain, can have a variety of underlying reasons. One of the most common causes is nerve irritation or injury caused by diseases such as diabetes, which can lead to diabetic neuropathy. Other possible causes include nerve compression caused by adjacent tissues, such in carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica. Postherpetic neuralgia can be caused by infections such as shingles. Nerve trauma or injury, as well as illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or trigeminal neuralgia, can all cause neuralgia. The particular cause of neuralgia must be identified for proper diagnosis and therapy.
Neuralgia can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Addressing the underlying cause is critical for resolution. Diabetes management, for example, can assist reduce diabetic neuropathy. Rest, avoidance of aggravating activities, and physical therapy may help relieve nerve compression-related neuralgias. Infections that cause neuralgia, such as shingles, frequently resolve if the infection is treated. Anticonvulsants and antidepressants, for example, can help regulate nerve discomfort and facilitate recovery over time. Working together with a healthcare practitioner to design a personalized treatment strategy for your specific type of neuralgia is critical.
Maintaining general health and implementing excellent behaviors are essential for preventing neuralgia at home:
- Control chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune disorders with adequate medication, nutrition, exercise, and regular medical check-ups.
- Maintain a healthy weight and engage in regular physical activity to enhance circulation and lower the chance of nerve compression.
- Maintain good posture, utilize ergonomic furniture, and take pauses during repetitive jobs to avoid nerve compression-related neuralgia.
- To prevent infections that can lead to neuralgia, practice proper hygiene and consider immunizations such as the shingles vaccine.
- Overexertion should be avoided: Injuries can be avoided by utilizing good lifting techniques, wearing protective gear, and avoiding excessive tension on muscles and nerves.
Remember, if you experience persistent or severe symptoms of neuralgia, it’s important to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.
