Neuropathic pain: causes, symptoms, and treatments
Neuropathic pain appears due to injury and/or abnormal functioning of the nervous system that begins to interpret normal sensory stimuli. In these cases, the pain loses its protective and alert sense, and it is the nervous system itself that "deceives" itself.
What is neuropathic pain?
The term "neuropathic pain" was adopted to give a name to pain generated in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or in the peripheral (nerves, plexuses, and microscopic nerve endings) that appears without actually requiring a threat ... No, it has no use: it does not protect us.
What are the symptoms of neuropathic pain?
It comes in many ways; People who suffer it frequently speak of burning sensations (burning pain) or intense cold, stinging, tingling as from an electric shock, numbness, padding, excessive heaviness, and even lack sensitivity in the affected area.
When the symptoms of hyperalgesia appear, Pain Doctors Near Me know that there has already been an affectation of the neural circuits of the spinal cord ( central sensitization ) that predict greater difficulty in the treatment and control of pain.
Diagnosis of neuropathic pain
Its diagnosis is not easy for Pain Management Doctors Near Me, and its control becomes more complex; the longer it is suffered ... If you suspect that you are suffering from neuropathic pain, it is advisable to contact your primary care doctor or specialist and if they are unable to control it, go to your Reference Pain Unit.
Neuropathic pain treatments
Although not in all cases, it is possible to effectively alleviate it, in Pain Units Best Pain Doctor Near Me have advanced treatments to control your symptoms. As you may be realizing, we only talk about "treating pain": the cause of neuropathic pain is sometimes treatable and at other times not ... With treatments, we seek to improve at least your quality of life by reducing the intensity of pain and improving your night rest. This will allow you to resume at least partially your day today.
The Pain Units usually offer advanced pharmacological treatments that are more effective against neuropathic pain, such as:
- Tricyclic antidepressants like AMITRIPTILINA or NORTRIPTILINA
- Antidepressants NA and SER reuptake inhibitors: DULOXETINE, VENLAFAXIN.
- Antiepileptic drugs: GABAPENTINE, PREGABALINE, TOPIRAMATE, CARBAMACEPINE.
- Minor Opioids: TRAMADOL
- Major Opioids: OXYCODONE, TAPENTADOL.
- Local Anesthetics: TOPICAL LIDOCAINE IN TRANSDERMAL PATCHES .
Another Nerve Pain Treatment route understudy for neuropathic pain is the use of capsaicin either as a cream or in patches in combination with the pharmacological and surgical treatments offered in the Pain Units.
Pharmacological treatment plans are long-term: it is not worth it that you continue your treatment only when it "hurts more.” They are designed to act preventively as well as to avoid or reduce the intensity of pain. It is especially important that if adverse effects appear or you do not tolerate your medication well, seek with your doctors a better alternative therapy ... it is a very bad option to just stop the medication.