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If you have diabetes or other diseases, what you are experiencing might be nerve.
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Pain that continues long after the original injury has healed is known as chronic pain. Nerve pain (or neuropathic pain) is a type of chronic pain that results after injury to the peripheral or central nervous system. It can be caused by trauma or disease that affects various nerves in the body. People often describe nerve pain as a burning, stabbing, shooting pain or uncomfortable numbness and tingling sensations.1-4
The symptoms of nerve pain can be mild or disabling but they usually tend to get worse over time. Although nerve pain is usually difficult to describe, people frequently describe it as a sharp pain, almost like an electric shock or burning sensation. Nerve pain is usually worst during the night. Other common symptoms of neuropathic pain include:3-5
Types of Nerve Pain |
Painful peripheral neuropathy, such as peripheral diabetic neuropathy or diabetic painful neuropathy, describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be caused by high blood glucose in poorly-controlled diabetes. This can cause nerve damage, especially in the hands and feet, which can lead to chronic pain.5,7 |
Low back pain with nerve pain can result from something that compresses a nerve. Examples include chronic pain that radiates down the leg (radiculopathy or sciatica) or down the arm (radiculopathy), or pain after back surgery that starts gradually and persists. Some cases of neck pain also involve nerve pain.8,9 |
Post-herpetic neuralgia is persistent or recurrent pain in areas of the skin affected by shingles caused by herpes zoster.8 |
Compression neuropathy occurs when nerves are physically compressed. A common example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes acute pain in the hand and wrist.10 |
Phantom limb pain is a sensation of pain felt to come from a limb that has been amputated.8 |
Pain associated with multiple sclerosis is felt in several places but especially in the arms and legs.11,12 |
Pain after a stroke may be due to nerve pain.8 |
HIV-associated peripheral neuropathies can occur in people who are HIV positive. Between 15% and 50% of people living with HIV suffer some degree of peripheral neuropathy.13 |
Nerve pain related to cancer can be caused by the cancer (tumour) itself or by the treatment (e.g., chemotherapy).14 |
Medication-induced nerve pain can be caused by certain drugs.15 |
Sympathetic dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome, can cause nerve pain.8 |
Neuropathic pain can result from nerve damage to the peripheral or central nervous system.
Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem that can cause nerve damage that leads to nerve pain. Diabetic nerve pain is a common complication of uncontrolled diabetes. It is caused by high levels of glucose in the blood over a long period of time, which leads to extensive damage of peripheral nerves.5,16
Causes of Nerve Pain5,8,17-20
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Nerve pain can have a significant negative effect on a person’s daily routine and on his or her general quality of life. Many people with nerve pain find it difficult to sleep, hard to concentrate, and often feel tired and lethargic. Chronic pain can make it impossible for some people to work. Some people cannot even get dressed because the sensation of their clothes next to their skin produces unbearable pain. Nerve pain can also lead to financial difficulties because patients often spend a lot of money and time trying to find relief from their pain. Patients with chronic, constant pain can also develop symptoms of severe anxiety and depression.21-25
Nerve pain can have many different causes and doctors need to carefully investigate to determine the specific cause in each case. A detailed and careful physical examination is a good starting point. Your doctor will also ask you questions and take full medical history. In addition, your doctor may also order other tests:16
Chronic pain can have an extensive negative impact on daily life. People who suffer from chronic neuropathic pain often have difficulties with relationships with spouses, family members, and friends. Many men find the loss of physical activity difficult to accept, while women find it hard to perform their usual roles and participate in normal family activities. Families can be a great source of support for people suffering from chronic neuropathic pain even though it may be difficult for them to understand what their loved one is going through.28
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