Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or injury to the nerves that carry information from the skin, muscles, and other regions of the body to the brain and spinal cord. It is a condition that’s usually chronic. This pain can flare up at any time of the day without any injury or pain-causing event.
People who suffer from this painful condition may feel shooting or searing pain. The discomfort might be continuous or intermittent. It is also typical to experience numbness or lack of sensation. Neuropathic pain deteriorates over time.
One in every three Americans suffers from chronic discomfort. According to 2014 research, as many as 10% of Americans suffer from neuropathic pain.
Understanding the potential causes will help you discover better therapies and avoid the pain from worsening over time.
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Causes of Neuropathic pain
Nerve pressure or nerve injury following surgery or trauma, viral infections, cancer, vascular malformations, alcoholism, neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and metabolic illnesses such as diabetes are all common causes of neuropathic pain. It might potentially be an adverse effect of some drugs. Occasionally, no clear reason is discovered, which can be upsetting for the person suffering the discomfort.
Chronic neuropathic pain is widespread and may be caused by an underlying health condition such as cancer or diabetic neuropathy, or by therapies such as chemotherapy.
Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain
Each person’s symptoms of neuropathic pain may vary slightly, but these symptoms are common:
- shooting, burning or stabbing pain
- tingling and numbness, or a “pins and needles” feeling
- spontaneous pain, or pain that occurs without a trigger
- evoked pain, or pain that’s caused by events that are typically not painful — such as rubbing against something, being in cold temperatures, or brushing your hair
- a chronic sensation of feeling unpleasant or abnormal
- difficulty sleeping or resting
- emotional problems as a result of chronic pain, loss of sleep, and difficulty expressing how you’re feeling
Some Remedies for Neuropathic Pain
The fundamental aims of neuropathic pain management are to reduce the pain as much as possible while minimizing the medication’s unfavorable side effects. Individuals suffering from chronic neuropathic pain may be sent to a pain clinic for evaluation, treatment, and counseling on how to live with chronic pain.
Every person is unique, and your doctor will examine your requirements before recommending the best treatment for you. There are several therapies available for neuropathic pain, and determining the optimal one for a person is sometimes a ‘trial and error process.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and paracetamol) are not typically beneficial for neuropathic pain.
Here goes the list of some most common treatments:
Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical procedure that includes inserting small needles into certain points/energy pathways on the body. This is thought to boost the neurological system and the body’s natural healing response, which aids with pain control. When acupuncture needles are put into the skin, the feeling is commonly described as tingling or dull discomfort.
Antidepressants

This class of medications is mostly used to treat depression, but it has also been shown to help with nerve pain management. Being given an antidepressant does not imply that you have depression or are at risk of acquiring it. Drowsiness and dry mouth are common adverse effects.
Prescription medication

Opioids do not normally alleviate neuropathic pain as well as they do other forms of pain. Furthermore, doctors may be hesitant to prescribe them for fear of a person becoming reliant.
Topical pain medications can also be utilized. Lidocaine patches, capsaicin patches, and prescription-strength ointments and lotions are examples.
Anticonvulsants
Anti-seizure medications and anticonvulsants are often used to treat neuropathic pain. Gabapentinoids are most commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain.
It’s not clear why anti-seizure drugs work for this condition, but researchers believe the medications interfere with pain signals and stop faulty transmissions.
Capsaicin Cream
Derived from chili peppers. The cream is absorbed through the skin to reduce levels of Substance P, the neurotransmitter which is associated with inflammation and pain. Beneficial effects may be experienced with regular use (3-4 times a day).
Common side effects: Localised heat and redness.
Nerve blocks
Your doctor may inject steroids, local anesthetics, or other pain medications into the nerves that are thought to be responsible for the wayward pain signals. These blocks are temporary, so they must be repeated in order to keep working.
Lifestyle treatments
Physical, relaxation and massage therapy are all utilized to treat neuropathic pain symptoms. These types of therapy can assist to relax muscles.
Your healthcare practitioner can also educate you on pain management techniques.
Some persons with neuropathic pain, for example, may suffer worsening symptoms after sitting for several hours. This may make desk work harder to complete.
A physical therapist or occupational therapist can teach you pain-relieving strategies for sitting, stretching, standing, and moving.
Conclusion
Neuropathic pain can have a detrimental influence on your life if you don’t take action to cure it and avoid symptoms from escalating.
This can lead to major handicaps and consequences over time, such as depression, sleeping troubles, anxiety, and other issues.
Fortunately, experts are learning more about what causes this illness and how to properly treat it. This is leading to more effective therapy alternatives.
It may take some time to find the right treatment choices for you, but you and your doctor can work together to find relief from the symptoms of this painful illness.