Causes of Nerve Pain

What causes nerve pain? There is a never-ending list of things that can “get on our nerves”, and while this term refers to trivial aspects of life that cause us frustration, actual nerve pain is no trivial matter. It is estimated that there are more than 100 types of nerve damage, and around 20 million people in the United States suffer from nerve pain resulting from one type or another.

If this describes you, it’s important to understand what nerve pain is, the symptoms of nerve pain to look for, and how to succeed in keeping your nerve pain properly managed.

What Causes Nerve Pain?

It’s difficult to get to the root of an issue if you don’t know what that root is. Pain in the nervous system can stem from a variety of issues. Some of the most common causes of nerve pain, to be aware of include:

• Physical injury
• Stress
• Vitamin deficiency
• Heart disease
• Hormonal imbalance
• Alcoholism
• Lyme disease

Nerve Pain Can Signal Serious Illness

It’s important to note that nervous system pain can also be a sign of a bigger issue at hand. Things like HIV, cancer, and heart disease often reflect this common symptom. Listen to the signals that your body gives you to increase your chances with an early diagnosis.

Symptoms of Nerve Pain

Not quite sure what you’re experiencing? It may be a pain in the nervous system if your symptoms include:

• Loss of reflexes
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Feeling like body parts are “asleep”

These are relatively minor symptoms. In more advanced cases, symptoms can include anything from disrupted digestion and breathing to paralysis. Some even experience hypersensitivity where something as nice as a breeze against the skin causes pain. If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms mentioned, there’s a good chance you have some type of damage to your nervous system. While this indicates there’s something wrong, it’s clear your nervous system is working… just not properly.

When your nervous system isn’t working, you’ll definitely know it. It comes in the form of paralysis, and the four main types include:

• Monoplegia- paralysis of one arm or leg
• Hemiplegia- paralysis of one arm and leg on the same side of the body
• Paraplegia- paralysis of both legs
• Quadriplegia- paralysis of both arms and both legs

Getting a Diagnosis for Nerve Pain

Getting a diagnosis as quickly as possible is important. Although the cause may be pretty obvious if you have a disease like HIV, many cases require extensive testing to come to an accurate conclusion. Some tests that may be run include:

• Neurological exam
• CT scan
• MRI
• Skin biopsy
• Nerve conduction studies
• Electromyography

Treatment Options for Nerve Pain

Once diagnosed, you can start your quest for the best possible treatment. You only have one life to live, and the right option can help you live yours to the fullest. Each case is different, but some options include:

• Acupuncture
• Creams, lotions, or gels
• Antidepressants or anticonvulsants
• Painkillers
• Modifications to your daily routine

We offer a complete list of Condition and Treatment options.

Cost of Untreated Nervous System Pain

It’s important to get treated sooner rather than later. Pain within the nervous system can signal bigger issues. Failure to treat results in a life full of undue pain. While you may save money on treatment options, you’ll pay in the long run with lower quality of life.

For more information, give us a call!