This disorder is accompanied by episodes of acute pain caused by affected nerves on the periphery of the nervous system. Neuralgia can be confused with other disorders. For this reason, it is important to bear in mind its primary symptom, which is severe acute pain in the area of the body innervated by a specific nerve. This area can also include swelling and redness of the skin, tearing, and involuntary muscle twitching. The most common types of neuralgia are trigeminal, intercostal, and occipital.

Trigeminal neuralgia is associated with severe itching of the face, followed by an episode of pain. It can be provoked by hypothermia, emotional or physical stress, shock, and, sometimes, even by brushing your teeth or chewing food.

Intercostal neuralgia causes pain between the ribs as though it is encompassing the torso. The pain aggravates when sneezing, coughing, or taking a deep breath. It becomes difficult to breathe, the stomach curdles, and loose stool appears. If the cutaneous nerve of the thigh is affected, acute pain is experienced in the outer thigh area and accompanied by itching and burning.

The occipital neuralgia occurs because of irritating and applying pressure on nerve fibers as a result of traumas, tumors, hypothermia, and other causes. It is accompanied by a throbbing headache, which is aggravated by the slightest head movements, coughing, and sneezing.

Why do your nerves go haywire?

Neuralgia can be triggered by any damage to the nerves as a result of inflammation, pinching, or infection. The most frequent causes are:

• Nerve overstretching and disruption as a result of traumas after hits or falls.
• Hypothermia and prolonged exposure to cold drafts.
• Lifting heavy weights, forced uncomfortable posture, or awkward movement.
• Musculoskeletal disorders including osteochondrosis, scoliosis, deformity of the chest, malocclusion, intervertebral hernias, and other spine lesions.
• Dysfunction of joints in the case of arthrosis.
• Benign and malignant tumors developing on the nerves or close to the nerves, leading to nerve compression.
• Infectious diseases and inflammations (caries, herpes).

What can be done?

Often, the first thought that comes to mind in the case of neuralgia is applying heat to the affected area. However, it is strictly contraindicated as such "treatment" can lead to deteriorating the condition and aggravating swelling or inflammation. In the case of acute pain, one can take pain relief medicines or apply anti-inflammatory cream to the affected area.

However, even if the pain subsides and disappears, the problem will persist and return soon. It is advisable to consult with a neurologist who will prescribe complex treatment, including measures to alleviate pain and other symptoms as well as steps to treat the cause of nerve damage. The methods of treatment include physiotherapies such as electrophoresis, darsonval treatment, and magnetotherapy.

The therapeutic and preventive measures include acupressure by applying pressure on pain and trigger spots on the patient's body, restoring blood circulation, and relieving pain, inflammation, and tension. Manual therapy helps to relax tensed muscles, decreasing muscle tone and reducing compression of nerve fibers. Extreme cases may call for surgery.

23 March 2021