Definition:
Neuralgia pertains to an intense pain caused by damage to or irritation of a nerve.
Diagnosis:
Since neuralgia is a symptom of an underlying disease, its diagnosis is based on detecting the cause of the condition producing the pain.
Treatment:
Several types of neuralgia can be treated with anticonvulsant drugs (e.g. carbamazepine, or phenytoin) or painkillers. In some cases, surgery may be required to cut or decompress the affected nerve.
In neuralgia caused by a herpes infection, treatment may consist of: antidepressants, anticonvulsants, capsaicin (Xostrix), topical painkillers, desensitization, TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; or, as a last resort, dorsal root zone (DREZ) surgery.
Symptoms and Signs:
Neuralgia presents with burning or stabbing pain that is commonly brief but severe. The pain has been described as resembling a shooting sensation coursing through the affected nerve, and may manifest in the specific part of the body that is supplied by the irritated nerve. More specific symptoms vary according to the specific type of neuralgia.
Causes:
Neuralgia occurs as a consequence of irritation or nerve damage due to a number of possible causes, including: infections, inflammation, systemic disease, compression, or physical irritation of a nerve. Some common triggers of neuralgia include: eye strain, tooth decay, noise infections, poor diet, or an infection caused by the herpes zoster virus called shingles.
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