Neuralgia

neuralgia Pain that occurs along a dermatome (the tract of a nerve). Neuralgia is often severe, sharp, and brief (each episode lasting 15 seconds or less) though repetitive. The most common causes of neuralgia are infection (notably herpes zoster, also called postherpetic neuralgia) and compression (a "pinched" nerve). Diabetes, untreated (tertiary) syphilis, multiple sclerosis, and porphyria are among the health conditions that can cause neuralgia. Exposure to toxins, notably heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, may cause certain forms of neuralgia. Often, however, the doctor cannot identify the cause of neuralgia. Neuralgia may affect any dermatome in the body. Those most often affected are the cranial nerves that serve the face and head (especially the glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, facial, and occipital), the intercostal nerves (ribs), and the posterior tib-ial nerve (ankle and foot).

Symptoms and Diagnostic Path

Neuralgia typically begins with sudden, sharp pain along the affected dermatome. The attacks may be momentarily disabling and last 10 to 15 seconds. However, a person may experience dozens of sequential attacks in episodes, with periods of remission during which there is no pain. The pain is

•   always in the same location

•   near the surface rather than deep in the body

•   often intense and intermittent, though sometimes continuous

Sometimes touching a particular area on the skin or actions, such as chewing trigger, attacks of

pain. The diagnostic path includes a neurologic examination and often electromyogram (EMG) to assess the function of the nerves in the affected area. The neurologist may conduct diagnostic imaging procedures such as computed tomography (ct) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (mri) to determine whether there is compression of the affected nerve, such as from a tumor, or to rule out other possible causes of the pain.

Treatment Options and Outlook

Treatment targets the cause when known, such as physical therapy or surgery to relieve compression against a nerve, removal from exposure to potential toxins, or antiviral medications for posther-petic neuralgia. Tricyclic antidepressants are particularly effective for relieving the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. Other medications to relieve pain include nonnarcotic and narcotic oral analgesic medications, topical analgesics such as cap-saicin, certain antiseizure medications, topical lidocaine patches, corticosteroid/lidocaine injections as neural blockades (nerve blocks) and trigger-point injection. These and other treatments can provide relief from the symptoms of neuralgia for most people. Taking medications, even narcotic analgesics, on a regular schedule is usually more effective than waiting until pain occurs or becomes intolerable. Acupuncture and biofeed-back are also effective for some people.

Postherpetic neuralgia generally improves and often resolves (goes away) within 2 to 12 months as the underlying damage to the involved dermatome heals. Neuralgia due to other causes may persist, particularly if the cause is chronic (such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis). When medications and other therapies cannot control the pain (intractable neuralgia), the neurologist or pain specialist may recommend rhizotomy, a surgical operation to cut the nerve rootlets responsible for conducting the pain impulses. Such intervention usually, though not always, ends the pain though may also alter sensory perception along the dermatome.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

Age is the most significant risk factor for neuralgia, particularly postherpetic neuralgia. Reduced immune function, especially in people who have hiv/aids or take immunosuppressive therapy such as

after organ transplantation, allows the dormant varicella-zoster virus to emerge and cause shingles. Injuries to the nerves, such as repetitious motion and compression injuries, also become more common with advancing age.

Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or fam-ciclovir, taken within 72 hours of the onset of herpes zoster symptoms may be effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Without antiviral therapy, about 20 percent of people who develop herpes zoster infection subsequently develop postherpetic neuralgia. The extent to which antiviral therapy for the herpes zoster affects the likelihood of developing postherpetic neuralgia remains unknown. Other preventive measures include prompt treatment of neuritis (inflammation of a nerve), appropriate intake of vitamin B12 (which is vital for proper nerve function), and avoidance of toxins that can damage the nerves.

See also aging, neurologic changes that occur with; headache; heavy-metal poisoning; neural blockade (nerve block); neuropathy.

Natra Biography Sciatica/Neuralgia Relief 1 Ounce
Natra Biography Sciatica Neuralgia Relief provides relief for that regarding backache, rheumatic aches and pains, sciatica and neuralgia discomfort and pain extending in to the legs. : Natural Homeopathic Medicine – twenty percent USP Alcoholic beverages

Swanson Wellness Items	dollar 4. twenty-eight + $ four. 99 delivery
Vitacost	dollar 4. twenty-eight + $ four. 99 delivery

Neuralgia three hundred mg by Heel UNITED STATES BHI. 100 Pills.

For that temporary relief associated with: sudden stabbing discomfort, sharp headache discomfort, muscle some weakness.

Medifocus Manual upon: Trigeminal Neuralgia

An extensive Guidebook to treatments and the latest healthcare advances with regard to Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is really a diso

Natrabio Sciatica/Neuralgia, 1-Ounce (Pack associated with 2)

Sciatica/Neuralgia offers relief for the regarding backache, rheumatic aches and pains, sciatica as well as neuralgia pain and pain increasing into the feet