Neuralgia
– What is the meaning of neuralgia and what are the causes?
– The major symptoms and treatments for this condition.
Neuralgia is a medical condition that basically affects the nerve. It refers to an acute, severe and intermittent pain that radiates along a nerve.
It is also a burning, sharp, intense or serious pain that occurs to the nerves as a result of an irritation or a damage that affects the nerve.
There are diverse factors that contribute to the damage of the nerve, some of these causes are infections such as shingles, diseases, multiple sclerosis, aging, improper diet, pressure or compression, diabetes etc.
We have nerves in many parts of the body, so when this condition occurs it can affect the body to a very large extent.
Also, there are many types of neuralgia, they include the following;
1. Trigeminal neuralgia
This type of neuralgia has to do with a pain in the trigeminal nerve and this pain transports from the brain to other parts of the face including the teeth, jaws, etc.
It is a sharp and unpredictable pain that can affect the face, teeth, gums or jaw. This condition is most common to older people.
2. Postherpetic neuralgia
This type of neuralgia occurs as a complication of shingles and may be anywhere on the body.
3. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
This is another type of neuralgia that involves pain from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is in the throat. This type of neuralgia produces pain in the neck and throat, although it is not a common type.
There are some ways to treat this condition. Some of them are;
- Physical therapy, this is often needed for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
- A nerve block is also another means of treating it.
- The individual can also undergo surgery.
- Using anti-depressants to suppress the nerves is also effective.
- You can use anti-seizure medications such as carbamazepine.