What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic painis a complex chronic painful condition that usually is associated with tissue damage. If neuropathic pain, nerve fibers may be damaged, dysfunctional or destroyed. These damaged nerve fibers send incorrect signs to pain centers. The impact of nerve injury includes a change in nerve function both at the lesion site and in the surrounding area.

One example of neuropathic pain is phantom limb syndrome. It occurs when one member (upper or lower) is amputated due to an illness which required such a treatment. After amputation the brain still receives pain signals from nerves that in the past led nerve impulses through amputated member. These nerves will transmit incorrect nerve impulses that cause pain .

Causes of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain seems to have usually no obvious cause, but the most common causes of neuropathic pain are:

- Alcoholism;

- Amputation;

- Medical problems of back, leg or hip;

- Chemotherapy;

- Diabetes;

- Facial nerve diseases;

- HIV infection or AIDS;

- Multiple sclerosis;

- Spine surgery.

Symptoms of neuropathic pain

Symptoms of neuropathic pain include:

- sharp pain or burning feeling;

- Numbness and tingling.

Treatment of neuropathic pain

Some studies suggest neuropathic effectiveness of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can reduce pain. Some patients may need a stronger analgesic, such as those containing morphine. Antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants  seem to be effective in some cases. If it involved another condition such as diabetes, maintaining control of this disease can lead to pain relief.

In difficult cases to treat, a specialist in pain may use invasive or implantable device for effective treatment of pain. Electrical stimulation of the nerves involved in the generation of neuropathic pain can effectively control the painful symptoms. Unfortunately, neuropathic pain often responds partially to standard pain treatments and occasionally may aggravate rather than improve over time. For some people, this disease can cause a significant disability.