Overview
Neuropathic pain is the pain arising from dysfunction or damage to any levels of the nervous system, such as the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Pain felt in this condition is usually described as a burning, electric shock-like, shooting, or stabbing pain. Some people may feel numbness, pins, and needles, or a tingling sensation instead of pain. Other symptoms of neuropathic pain include allodynia, hypoalgesia, dysesthesia, sleep disturbances, and emotional issues. Neuropathic pain can be caused by a number of reasons, for example, amputation, diabetes, shingles, trauma, nerve compression by tumours, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease, stroke, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy medications. This type of pain is usually managed by treating the underlying condition, medications, physiotherapy, and psychological treatment. Medications used to relieve neuropathic pain include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids. Other forms of treatment are ointments or patches containing capsaicin or lidocaine, and nerve blocks using local anaesthetics or steroids.
