Do you sometimes feel tingling in your legs, numbness in your hands, or a burning sensation in your body? Sometimes we don't think of these as just normal things. However, these small symptoms can sometimes be the beginning of a problem in our body's nervous system. From breathing to walking to feeling, everything in our body is controlled by this nervous system. So if the nerves are damaged, it can have a big impact on our lives. Today, we will talk about nerve pain and nerve damage in a simple way.
Let's first see, what are these nerves?
Simply put, the nervous system is the 'wire' system that carries messages throughout our body. It is divided into two main parts. One is the central nervous system . That is our brain and spinal cord. The other is the peripheral nervous system . That is the network of nerves that extends from the brain and spinal cord to all the rest of the body.
There are 3 main types of these nerves. Knowing this will make it easier for you to understand the disease.
| Nervous type | The work is simple. |
|---|---|
| Autonomic nerves | We control things that we can't control, things that happen automatically. For example, things like heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and digestion. |
| Motor nerves | They control our movements. These nerves carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. They allow us to raise our arms and walk. |
| Sensory nerves | Sensory sensations (pain, heat, touch) from our skin and muscles are carried back to the brain and spinal cord. These nerves are what cause us to feel pain and numbness. |
Are Neuralgia and Neuropathy two different things?
Yes, there is a slight difference between these two words. Neuropathy refers to damage to a nerve due to a disease or accident. Neuralgia refers to the pain caused by that damage. Simply put, Neuropathy is the cause, and Neuralgia is one of its symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a neurological disorder?
The symptoms of a nerve injury can vary from person to person. It depends on which type of nerve is damaged and where it is located in the body. Some people may experience symptoms of two or all three of these types of nerves at the same time.
| Type of nerve damaged | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Autonomic Nervous System |
|
| Motor nerves |
|
| Sensory nerves |
|
Why do these nerves get damaged? What are the causes?
There are over 100 causes of nerve damage. These are some of the most common and common causes.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is the leading cause of nerve damage. About 70% of people with diabetes have some degree of nerve damage. This condition worsens when blood sugar levels are not controlled. This is also called diabetic neuropathy . If you have diabetes and have these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- Autoimmune diseases: This is when our own body's immune system attacks our own nerves. Examples include diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Lupus.
- Cancer: Nerve damage can occur when tumors press on nerves or when certain types of cancer deprive nerves of the nutrients they need to function. Nerve pain can also occur as a side effect of some chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer.
- Compression/trauma: Nerve damage can occur due to conditions such as a pinched nerve in the neck, a contusion from a car accident, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as vitamin B6 and B12, can cause nerve damage. Excessive alcohol consumption is also a cause of this.
- Drug side effects and toxic substances: Some HIV drugs and cancer drugs can cause nerve pain as a side effect. Long-term alcohol use is also a major cause. Also, toxins such as lead, arsenic, and mercury can damage the nerves.
- Infectious diseases: Infections such as Lyme disease, herpes viruses, HIV, and hepatitis C can also affect the nerves.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels well controlled.
- If there is a nutritional deficiency, provide the necessary vitamins.
- If it's caused by a medication, talk to your doctor and change the medication.
- If it is due to a pinched nerve, physical therapy or surgery may be needed.
- Common painkillers.
- Some medications for depression (e.g. Amitriptyline, Duloxetine (Cymbalta)).
- Some medications used for migraines (e.g. Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica)) are also very effective for nerve pain.
- Skin-soothing creams (e.g. Capsaicin, Lidocaine).
- Nerve block: This involves injecting an anesthetic drug near the damaged nerve to temporarily stop pain signals from reaching the brain.
- Desensitization: For a hypersensitive area of skin, such as your palm, you first touch it with a very soft object like a piece of cotton several times a day. After a few days, you use a slightly rougher piece of cloth, and then something like Velcro. As you gradually get used to the sensation, the pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain are reduced.
- If you're experiencing numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your body , don't ignore it as something simple.
- Diabetes is the biggest risk factor for nerve damage. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- As with any illness, it is important to seek medical advice at the earliest possible stage . This can help prevent permanent damage.
- There are a number of treatment options. Talk to your doctor to decide which treatment is best for you.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, limiting alcohol) can reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders.
If you suddenly think you have ingested something poisonous, immediately call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How is this condition treated?
In most cases, nerve damage is difficult to completely cure. However, there are various treatments that can help control symptoms and make life easier. The most important thing is to recognize the symptoms early and see a doctor. This can help prevent permanent damage.
Treatment first focuses on treating the underlying cause of nerve pain.
Types of drugs
Your doctor may prescribe various medications to reduce your pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps stop muscle weakness, maintain joint function, and reduce pain.
Other treatments
In some cases, the doctor may recommend other treatments.
You can also talk to your doctor about alternative treatments like acupuncture, meditation, and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).
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