Neuropathic Pain Journals
Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting and severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It often is the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The impact of nerve damage is a change in nerve function both at the site of the injury and areas around it.
One example of
neuropathic pain is called phantom limb syndrome. This rare condition occurs when an arm or a leg has been removed because of illness or injury, but the brain still gets pain messages from the nerves that originally carried impulses from the missing limb. These nerves now misfire and cause pain.
Neuropathic pain often seems to have no obvious cause. But some common causes of
neuropathic pain include:
Alcoholism Amputation
Chemotherapy Diabetes Facial nerve problems HIV infection or
AIDS Multiple myeloma Multiple sclerosis Nerve or
spinal cord compression from herniated discs or from
arthritis in the spine Shingles Spine
surgery Syphilis Thyroid problems
To diagnose neuropathic pain, a doctor will conduct an interview and physical exam. He or she may ask questions about how you would describe your pain, when the pain occurs.
whether anything specific triggers the pain. The doctor will also ask about your risk factors for
neuropathic pain and may also request both blood and nerve tests.
High Impact List of Articles
Relevant Topics in Clinical