Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain. Chronic, progressive nerve disease is a common cause, but it may also happen as a result of an injury or infection.

Nerve pain may be a sign of a variety of illnesses, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, and shingles. This can be annoying for such people, but it can also be debilitating even life-changing for others.

Nerve pain can affect your life at home and work, whether it feels like fire, pinpricks, or unexpected electric shocks. It can make it difficult for you to get around. It can drag you down with time. People with neuropathic pain generally suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, according to studies.

According to a 2014 survey, up to 10% of Americans suffer from neuropathic pain in a certain way. Chronic pain affects about one-third of all Americans. One in every five of them suffers from neuropathic pain.

Nerve Pain: What Causes It?

The brain receives stimuli from several nerves, including pain. Although we do not like pain, it serves an essential purpose: it protects us from injury. It is the painful feeling that alerts your brain to the danger as your foot starts to walk on a nail.

What causes nerves to act this way?

  • Degenerative joint or disc disease

Nerve pain is mostly caused by degenerative joint or disc dysfunction in the spine, which may result in nerve pain. Nerve pain is also caused by a herniated disc.

  • Cancer and other tumors

Nerve pain may also be caused by cancer and other tumors. Tumors may put pressure on nearby nerves as they grow. Cancers may also develop within the nerves themselves. Treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy medications, may often damage nerves, resulting in pain.

  • HIV

HIV can cause painful nerve damage. Nerve pain affects up to one-third of HIV patients, with nerve pain in the hands and feet being the most common symptom. Antiretroviral therapy can cause nerve damage, which can result in pain.

  • Diabetes

In the United States, diabetes is a common cause of nerve pain. High glucose levels in the blood (blood sugar) can cause nerve damage over time.

  • Shingles

Shingles may be followed by postherpetic neuralgia. This is a very painful disease. This form of nerve pain is always intense and comes on suddenly.

  • Physical Injuries

Nerves may be compressed, crushed, or damaged mostly as a result of physical injuries.

These are only some of the diseases and disorders that can result in nerve damage and pain. Nerve pain may occur for no apparent cause in some cases.

Nerve Pain Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of nerve damage differ from person to person. Nerves may become hypersensitive at times. Sensory nerve damage causes more than just pain. It can also lead to:

  • Feelings of numbness
  • Tingling sensations
  • prickly
  • Reflexes are lost.

Nerve damage can result in paralysis and affect things like digestion and breathing. Nerve pain is normally proportional to the magnitude of the underlying condition. As a result, nerve pain seems to get worse as people grow older.

Nerve Pain Diagnosis

You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you feel nerve pain. The cause of your nerve pain may be obvious in some cases if you are already identified with such a condition that causes nerve pain. Conditions like HIV, cancer, or diabetes can trigger nerve pain mostly.

However, in some cases, determining the source of nerve pain can be difficult. Since nerve pain may be caused by a variety of conditions, your doctor will need to schedule a couple of lab tests. You'll also need a comprehensive neurological examination and likely additional examinations, such as CT scans, MRIs, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography. A doctor can prescribe a skin biopsy or a nerve biopsy to examine the nerve endings.

Nerve Pain Treatment

When nerve pain is caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV, or cancer, treating the underlying disease takes priority. However, medications for the underlying condition may or not take away the pain. Nerve pain may require treatment that is separate from the disease that is causing it.

  • Medications

There are some medications like Gabapin (Gabapentin), Carbamazipne, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin and etc  used to treat nerve pain. These drugs like Gabapin 300 can also help to relieve nerve pain and are often used as a first-line treatment.

Gabapin 300 mg is normally more effective at blocking pain than other drugs.

  • Complementary Treatment

Alternative methods to nerve pain relief, such as acupuncture, meditation, and massage, have proven to be effective for many people. If you're considering taking dietary supplements to deal with nerve pain, consult your doctor first.

  • Lifestyle Changes

Changing the behaviors won't cure the nerve pain. It will help you to feel better and relieve some suffering. Exercising more, eating a balanced diet, stopping smoking, and setting aside time to practice relaxation strategies can all be helpful.

The Bottom Line

If you do not even handle neuropathic pain to keep this from getting worse, it will have a serious impact on your life. You must have to be aware of your health first.