Nerve pain, often known as neuropathic pain, is a type of pain that results from nervous system injury or failure. It is a severe disorder that affects millions of individuals all over the world. Nerve pain can develop because of a variety of factors, and it is essential to identify its underlying cause to develop an effective treatment plan. Here is a list of eight common causes of nerve pain.
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term disease that impairs the body's ability to generate or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage over time, resulting in diabetic neuropathy. This type of nerve pain can occur everywhere in the body, although it is most common in the hands and feet. In addition to numbness, tingling, and burning feelings, diabetic neuropathy can cause muscle weakness and difficulty walking.
2. Shingles
Shingles is a virus infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. The virus can remain latent in nerve cells for years after a person gets chickenpox. It can reactivate and contribute to shingles. Shingles symptoms include a painful rash, fever, and headache, as well as nerve pain that lasts even after the rash has disappeared. Postherpetic neuralgia is a form of nerve pain that can be severe and linger for a long time.
3. Herniated disc
When the outer covering of the spinal disc tears, the soft tissue within bulges out, pressing against the spinal cord's nerves. This condition is known as a herniated disc. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, this might produce nerve pain in the neck, back, arms, or legs. A herniated disc may result in numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area, as well as pain.
4. Trauma
Nerve trauma can occur due to an injury or accident, such as a vehicle accident, sports injury, or fall. The degree of the nerve pain will be determined by the severity of the nerve injury. In some cases, nerve pain can go away on its own, but in others, medical intervention may be required. Physical therapy, medication, and surgery can be used to treat nerve pain that results from trauma.
5. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a method of cancer treatment that involves the use of chemicals to destroy cancer cells. While chemotherapy can be beneficial in the treatment of cancer, it may additionally cause nerve damage and pain. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a kind of nerve pain, can be a devastating side effect of cancer treatment. Pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet are common symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
6. Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders occur when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. This can result in nerve injury and pain, as well as a variety of other symptoms. For example, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder that impacts the central nervous system and causes nerve pain, muscle weakness, and issues with coordination and balance. Lupus is another autoimmune disorder that can result in nerve pain, joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue.
7. Vitamin deficiencies
Nerve discomfort can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin B12. This is due to the fact that these vitamins are necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is essential for the creation of myelin, the protective covering that surrounds neurons. Nerve damage can occur if there is a lack of vitamin B12, resulting in nerve pain and other symptoms. Other vitamins that are important for nerve health include vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin D.
8. Alcoholism
Chronic alcoholism can result in nerve damage and pain. This is due to the fact that alcohol can destroy the protective layer around the nerves, causing numbness, tingling, and burning sensations. Additional outcomes of alcoholism include liver disease, pancreatitis, and malnutrition, all of which can lead to nerve damage and pain.
