subject: Tips For Treating Neuropathic Pain [print this page] Injury or dysfunction of the tissue in the nervous system can lead to all sorts of problems including paralysis. Humans can experience excruciating discomfort and neuropathic pain when there is disorder or damage to the nervous system. This circuitous and constant pain is mostly associated with tissue injury or dysfunction. Whenever the nerve fiber is damaged or injured, neuropathic pain will often be the result.
Neuropathy can result from dysfunctions of the peripheral nervous system or the central nervous system. With damage to the peripheral nervous system, all the nerves branching from the spinal cord to all parts of the body might be affected. Patients with peripheral neuropathic pains can suffer from muscle pains, tingling and numbness, shooting and burning pains, muscle wasting, paralysis, and gland or organ dysfunction.
Central neuropathic pains can be found in spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and other damaged brain related ailments like stroke and partial paralysis.
Individuals with diabetes, fibromyalgia, herpes-zoster infection, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and HIV-related disease can suffer from neuropathic pains.
The pain of neuropathy, relief and treatments:
Antidepressants: These are for reducing the signals of the pain from nerve endings to the brain itself, thereby making neuropathic pain manageable. However, use of antidepressant is not recommended for depressed patients because it may trigger the wrong signals in the brain and alleviate depression instead of the pain.
Anticonvulsants chemical properties: Anticonvulsant plants like hypericum perforatum and coriandrum sativum can block specific neurons on the brain, thus lessening or relieving pain caused by peripheral and central neuropathy.
Opioids: This is getting more popular as treatment for neuropathic pains. Although not first in line in neuropathic pain treatment, opioids are still considered the most consistently effective relief for this condition. It must be noted that opioids are only appropriate for use in some individuals and close supervision is always recommended.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers: These are commonly used to relieve neuropathic pain. Serious situations may require more powerful dose or the use of painkiller such as morphine.
Topical ointments: These can serve as agents mainly used to desensitize the skin nerves and reduce skin sensibility. In any case, gains and effects seem very sheepish.
Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements that can give relief are benfotiamine and alpha lipoic acid, not only for neuropathic pain but for diabetics also. In any case, individuals who are not diabetic will not get the same amount of benefits from these sets of dietary supplements.
Spinal cord stimulators: This can be used to treat the spinal cord from the outside by placing electrodes adjacent to the spine.
Neuropathic pain relief does not only come from pharmacological treatments, but from lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol; getting chiropractic care, taking yoga, massages, meditation and other cognitive therapeutic exercise. Acupuncture is also sought by some neuropathic pain sufferers, which can produce variable results. Long-term solutions without significant complications are still being improved and undergoing clinical trials.
