Neuropathy pain treatment in Southlake TX is a condition caused by chronic, progressive nerve disease. It results from nerve damage or malfunction of the nervous system. Neuropathic pain can occur as a result of an injury or infection.
Neuropathy pain treatment in Southlake TX tends to get worse over time and can increase at any time without any factor inducing or increasing the pain. This means that the pain you feel may not be triggered by an injury or event. The body just sends pain signals to your brain without anything prompting it.
Symptoms of neuropathic pains
The symptoms of neuropathic pain one person experiences may be slightly different from the symptoms another person experiences. However, common neuropathic pain symptoms include:
- Shooting, burning or stabbing pain
- Tingling and numbness
- Spontaneous pain
- Pain that occurs without a trigger
- Evoked pain, or pain caused by events that are normally not painful
- Chronic sensation of feeling unpleasant or abnormal
- Difficulty sleeping or resting
- Emotional problems and loss of sleep
- Constant pain or may occur intermittently.
Causes of neuropathic pain
Common causes of neuropathic pain include:
Disease
Several types of diseases and conditions can cause neuropathic pain. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a common cause of neuropathic pain. It can affect how your nerves work.
Excess alcohol
Excessive intake of alcohol can lead to complications which include chronic neuropathic pain. Excess intake of alcohol can damage the nerves leading to pains.
A condition known as Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe neuropathic pain of one side of the face. It’s one of the more common types of neuropathic pain. It can occur without a known reason.
Cancer treatment
Cancer treatment may cause neuropathic pain. Chemotherapy and radiation can both impact the nervous system and cause unusual pain signals.
Injuries
Injuries to tissue, muscles, or joints are an uncommon cause of neuropathic pain. Back, leg, and hip problems or injuries can damage the nerves leading to long-lasting pain. Injuries that affect the spine can cause neuropathic pain.
Herniated discs
Herniated discs and spinal cord compression can cause damage to the nerve fibers around your spine.
Infection
Infections, though not a common cause of neuropathic pain can lead to nerve damage. Infections such as Shingles can trigger several weeks of neuropathic pain along a nerve. Postherpetic neuralgia is a rare complication of shingles that involves persistent neuropathic pain. Syphilis infection can lead to burning and stinging pain. HIV may also lead to unexplained pain.
Limb loss
When an arm or leg is amputated, it can lead to an uncommon form of neuropathic pain called phantom limb syndrome.
Other causes of neuropathic pain include vitamin B deficiency, carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, facial nerve problems, and arthritis in the spine.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review your medical history. He or she may ask you to describe the kind of pain you feel and the parts of the body you feel pain. You may be asked if anything triggers the pain. You may be asked to describe the symptoms you experience.
Your doctor may ask you to undergo some tests such as blood and nerve tests to ascertain the cause of the pain.
Treatment of neuropathy pain
Neuropathic pain is best treated by identifying the root cause of the pain and treating it.
Common treatments options for neuropathic pain include:
Over-the-counter pain medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Aleve and Motrin, are sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain.
Prescription medication
Opioid pain medications may be used to reduce neuropathic pain. However, they don’t usually reduce neuropathic pain as much as they reduce other types of pain.
Topical medications and ointments
Topical pain relievers such as lidocaine patches, capsaicin patches, and prescription-strength ointments and creams can also be used to relieve pain.
Antidepressant
Antidepressant medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can be used to relieve neuropathic pain.
Anticonvulsants
Anti-seizure medications and anticonvulsants such as Gabapentinoids are often used to treat neuropathic pain.
Nerve blocks
Injecting steroids, local anesthetics, or other pain medications into the nerves responsible for the transmission of pain signals can be used to relieve the pain.
Implantable device
Implanting a device in your brain or spine may be used to stop irregular nerve signs and control symptoms. The device sends electrical impulses into the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Only patients who haven’t responded well to other treatment options may need this device.
Lifestyle treatments
Physical therapies, relaxation, and massage therapies can also help to relieve symptoms of neuropathic pain.
