NEUROPATHIC

TYPES

The following are the different types of neuropathy and in which body parts they tend to affect:

Peripheral neuropathy

This type of nerve damage affects the peripheral nervous system, which is responsible for sending signals between the central nervous system and the body. The PNS affect the feet, legs, arms, and hands.

Autonomic neuropathy

This affects the nerves that control the internal organ and regulates essential functions such as breathing and digestions.

Focal neuropathy

This affects the head, hand, torso, and leg. Focal neuropathy also causes sudden weakness or pain in front of the thigh and other areas of the body. 

SYMPTOMS

The common symptoms of neuropathic pain are the following:

• Burning, stabbing, and shooting pain
• The numbness and tingling, or a “pins and needles” feeling
• The pain that occurs without a trigger or impulsive pain
• The pain that’s caused by events but not typically painful, such as being in cold temperatures, or brushing your hair, or rubbing against something
• An unpleasant or abnormal feeling caused by a chronic sensation
• Loss of sleep, chronic pain caused by emotional problems, and having difficulty expressing how you’re feeling

DIAGNOSIS

A patient complaining of pain with similar symptoms to neuropathic pain has to be appropriately assessed. Assessment will start from the patient’s medical history. Once underlying nerve damage is suspected, the physician may recommend nerve testing. Nerve evaluation may be conducted through an electrodiagnostic medicine. Blood tests may also be done as a further procedure to determine nerve damage.

TREATMENT

Once a neuropathic pain is detected, physicians will recommend antidepressant and anticonvulsant drugs to help ease the pain. In some cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be suggested for pain management. 

Nerve blocking procedures or nerve freezing are also suggested to aid neuropathic pain. However, since these blocks are temporary, the procedure must be repeated over time for better results.

People with Neuropathic pain may also try pain management through some lifestyle options like relaxation, massage therapies, and physical therapies to help ease the muscles. Physicians will also help patients of  strategic ways to cope with the pain felt by patients.

Multimodal Therapy and Neuropathic Pain

As a painful sensation, patients with neuropathic pain would love to deal with it in the easiest way possible. However, there is no exact treatment yet for the condition as of today. To deal with it, experts suggested multimodal therapy to address this health issue. 

Multimodal therapy is a combination of medications, physical therapy, psychological treatments, surgery and implants. This multi-pronged approach aims to help patients who are suffering from this chronic medical condition.