Neuralgia: Symptoms and Treatment

Neuralgia is the peripheral nerves disorders that are characterized by pain episodes in the area of the nerve excitation. Unlike patients diagnosed with neuritis, patients with neuralgia have no motor or sensory problems, and the problem nerve has no change in structure. Neuralgia can affect any nerve, but most often, it appears in the nerves that run in the narrow canals.

Classification

There are several classifications of neuralgia. The simplest of them divides peripheral nerve lesions according to the concentration of the problem:

• intercostal;
• costoclavicular;
• vertebrogenic (including occipital area and neuralgia of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh);
• cranio-cerebral (trifacial neuralgia, sphenopalatine neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia).

The most common type of pathologic process is trifacial disorder. Slightly less common are neuralgia of major or lesser occipital, ninth cranial nerve, lingualopharyngeal nerve, and other types of medical problem.

Also, neuralgia is divided in:

• primary (essential) – investigations and examinations do not diagnose diseases that could be the root cause of the problem;
• secondary (symptomatic) - examinations may reveal inflammatory, tumor, or other medical problems that could adversely affect the nerves.

There is wandering neuralgia that disrupts important body processes - speech function, swallowing reflexes, chewing, coughing, digestive and cardiovascular system function.

Causation of Disease

As a rule, Neuralgia appears as a complication of various injuries (even the most minor), infections, severe forms of colds. Also, the causes of neuralgia may lie in hypothermia, age-related changes, intoxication, and metabolic disorders. There is also a division of the causes of Neuralgia according to localization.

Causes of Neuralgia According to Localization

Occipital Nerve Disorder:

• joints and spine disorders;
• injuries of the cervical spine;
• occipital hypothermia;
• tumors of different origin on the cervical vertebrae.

Facial Nerve Disorder:

• cerebral artery aneurysms;
• hypothermia of the facial area;
• brain tumors of different nature;
• Infectious processes with localization in the facial area (caries, maxillary sinusitis, etc.).

Sciatic Nerve Disorder:

• overweight;
• diseases of the spinal column;
• lower back injuries;
• fractures of the femur and pelvis;
• overcooling of the mid-torso;
• overexertion of the back;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• infections and inflammations of the pelvic organs.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve Disorder:

• diabetes;
• sclerosis;
• intoxication;
• infectious processes;
• allergic reactions;
• alcohol addiction;
• metabolic disorders.

Signs of neuralgia depend on which part of the nerve has been injured. Specific pain occurs both when the nerve trunk is injured and when the unnatural process is concentrated in the nerve fibers, the areas where the nerve leaves the spinal canal, and the soft tissues that surround the nerve.

Pathogenesis

The ends of the nerve fibers are equipped with receptors whose task is to transmit information to the spinal cord and brain about the organs and life-support systems. When any part of the nerve is squeezed or irritated, the information is distorted and pain occurs. If there is a pathogenic process in the body, the disease (neuralgia) begins to progress much faster.

Clinical Manifestations

Common symptoms of neuralgia are pain in the form of attacks, which are accompanied by vegetovascular disorders (reddening of the skin, lacrimation, etc.). Less frequently, neuralgia is manifested by a painful tic or pain of a continuous nature that recedes only after taking painkillers.

Neuralgia Characteristics in Pregnancy

In pregnant women, neuralgia is most often diagnosed in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. This is explained by the processes that occur during this period in the body of the future mother - an increase in fluid (swelling, compression of nerve endings), the uterus increases in size, the diaphragm rises. The consequence of the latter two processes is a decrease in the space between the ribs, increasing the risk of intercostal neuralgia. Also, neuralgia in pregnancy may provoke: a weakened immune system, bad habits (even if they were present only before conception), late treatment / neglect of treatment for infections, hypothermia, stress, intense physical activity.

Neuralgia in pregnancy requires hospitalization.

Features of the development of neuralgia in children

With timely detection of neuralgia in children, treatment is easy, without painful procedures and further unwanted consequences. But to prescribe quality treatment, the doctor needs a complete picture of the disease, information about the lifestyle of the mother during pregnancy and the child from birth. Untreated / undiagnosed neuralgia can have a negative impact on the development and life of the child. Therefore, when symptoms of neuralgia in the child, it is necessary to immediately contact the doctor.

Consequences

Neuralgia consequences depend on age of the patient.

Consequences of Neuralgia in adults:

• neuroses;
• impaired mobility of the affected area;
• development of a chronic process;
• paresis or paralysis of the mimic muscles (with problems with nerves in the face);
• transition of the inflammatory process to the brain tissue and brain membranes (with problems with nerves in the face);
• hypoxia of nerve fibers and roots, and, as a consequence, impaired conduction of nerve impulses to organs;
• disruption of the respiratory system, up to complete respiratory arrest (intercostal neuralgia), etc.

Consequences of Neuralgia in Children:

• hyperactivity;
• attention deficit;
• delayed speech development and, as a consequence, a delay in overall development;
• emotional instability, etc.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of neuralgia consists of several steps - examination, collection of anamnesis, study of medical history, laboratory tests (clinical tests of urine and blood, biochemical blood analysis), instrumental diagnosis.

Instrumental diagnosis of neuralgia may include:

• MRI;
• Ultrasound;
• X-ray methods;
• electroneuromyography;
• examination of the ocular fundus (for newborns).

Along with these examinations, other types of diagnostics may also be prescribed if the doctor deems it necessary.

Treatment

Treatment of neuralgia can be started only after the diagnosis has been confirmed. It should be aimed not only at eliminating the symptoms of peripheral nerve damage, but also at combating the underlying disease (in the secondary type). For primary pain, it can be treated with an injection of anesthetic (most commonly, novocaine is used) and B vitamins. But if we are talking about the treatment of neuralgia in children, allergics, and patients with secondary neuralgia or people who for some reason do not accept drug therapy or it did not help them, modern medicine uses physiotherapy and massage.

Treatment of neuralgia at the Center for Brain Stimulation is carried out by non-medicinal methods, without surgery, on high-quality physiotherapy equipment from the world's leading manufacturers of medical equipment, unique in Ukraine.

Preventive Measures

The prevention of neuralgia is not particularly specific. Among the tips:

• getting preventive check-ups from a neurologist;
• normalization of working conditions;
• strengthening and recuperation of the body;
• compliance with temperature control (you need to avoid hypothermia, drafts);
• refraining from alcohol and other bad habits;
• if possible, exclude stressful situations from your life;
• exclusion from the diet of spicy, salty, spicy, smoked, etc.

Which doctor does treat neuralgia?

Are you wondering, «Which doctor does treat neuralgia?» - If you have this problem, you will need a consultation with a neurologist. Also, you may be referred for additional consultations to a Massage Therapist, Rehabilitation and Strengthening Exercise Therapist, Radiologist. Treatment of neuralgia offers the Centre for Brain Stimulation. Contact us, you will get effective help without surgery, without medication therapy (if possible), using the most modern equipment unique in Ukraine and the latest proven treatment protocols.

Sources

• World Health Organization
• Journal «Acute conditions and emergencies in medical practice»
• Wikipedia