Blog – Pain Management
What is Neuropathic Pain?
How TENS machine can help for treatment.
(published: 20 October, 2020)
Blog – Pain Management
What is Neuropathic Pain?
How TENS machine can help for treatment.
(published: 20 October, 2020)
Neuropathic Pain And How A TENS Machine Can Help With Its Treatment
Nerves transfer information from different parts of the body to the brain via the spinal cord. When these nerves are injured or damaged, patients experience a burning sensation that becomes very sensitive to touch. This condition is called neuropathic pain. This condition often dissipates by itself but can become a chronic problem in some cases.
What Causes Neuropathic Pain?
The most common causes of neuropathic pain are:
• Disease: Certain diseases like multiple myeloma and multiple sclerosis can cause neuropathic pain. In such cases, neuropathy presents as either a complication or a symptom. People who have diabetes are also at risk of developing neuropathic pain.
• Injuries: While rare, injuries to muscles, tissues, and joints can cause neuropathy.
• Infections: Syphilis and shingles are also attributed to causing neuropathic pain, though it is a rare occurrence.
Other illnesses that can cause neuropathy include chronic alcoholism, postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
According to a study done in 2014, about 10% of all Americans experience neuropathic pain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Neuropathic Pain?
The signs and symptoms of neuropathy that affect motor and sensory nerves include:
• Numbness and tingling of hands and feet, which gradually moves up the arms and legs
• Sensitivity to touch
• Decreased coordination and a tendency to fall
• Weakness of muscles
• Partial or total paralysis
• Sharp, throbbing pain or burning sensation in feet and hands
If your autonomic nerves are affected, then you will experience the following symptoms:
• Excessive or no sweating
• Intolerance to heat
• Variance in blood pressure
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Digestive, bowel, or bladder issues
In the case of peripheral neuropathy, the peripheral nerve cells, known as neurons, get damaged or destroyed. This affects the way in which different neurons communicate with each other. It also affects the communication between the affected nerves and the central nervous system, comprising of the brain and the spinal cord. Neuropathy can be limited to just one nerve or can affect an entire nerve type or a combination of nerves in a particular region.
Neuropathy will present itself differently based on the nerves affected. There are three types of peripheral nerves. These are:
Motor nerves: These nerves carry impulses from the central nervous system to the muscles in your body.
Sensory nerves: The five senses of your body (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) send messages to your central nervous system through these nerves.
Autonomic nerves: These nerves control all the bodily systems that are out of your direct control, such as breathing, blood circulation, and digestion.
How Is Neuropathic Pain Diagnosed?
Neuropathy is diagnosed after a physical examination by your doctor, followed up by blood and nerve tests. Your doctor will need to know specific information about the pain you are experiencing, such as the triggers and the quality of the pain. They will also get your full history, including your family history, drinking habits, and if you have had any exposure to toxins.
Once your doctor suspects you might have neuropathy, they will order some of the following tests:
• Blood tests like sugar levels, vitamin levels, and autoimmune disease tests
• Imaging tests like a CT scan or an MRI to show injuries
• Nerve function tests like electromyography (EMG), an autonomic reflex screen, a sweat test, or sensory tests
• Nerve biopsy
• Skin biopsy
How Can Neuropathic Pain Be Treated With A TENS Machine?
The treatment for neuropathy involves a combination of medications and therapies. The medications prescribed for the condition include:
• Topical treatments: Certain creams and patches offer relief from the effects of neuropathy. These should be used only under the guidance of a medical practitioner.
• Antidepressants: Some antidepressants interfere with the chemical processes in the brain that cause pain. These can be prescribed to manage your symptoms of pain.
• Pain killers: Over-the-counter and prescription pain killers are used to manage pain caused by neuropathy.
• Anti-seizure medications: These also help relieve the symptoms of pain.
Certain therapies can help ease the symptoms of neuropathy. These include:
• Plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
The TENS machine is a small device that can be used at your home at your doctor’s orders. It is connected to your body through a series of electrodes and sends a low electric current to stimulate the nerves that are showing signs of damage. This reduces the pain signals to the brain and eases the patient’s pain.
When Should You See A Physician?
The best way to prevent the onset of neuropathy is to address the underlying conditions that increase the risk factors for developing neuropathy. You will need the expertise of a healthcare provider to help you combat these issues.
Book a consultation with your doctor if you are showing any of the symptoms mentioned above, particularly if you have other comorbidities like diabetes. Most risk factors for neuropathic pain are lifestyle diseases like alcoholism and poor nutrition.
Conclusion
Neuropathic pain can be an extremely difficult condition to live with. Understanding the condition and treating it as per your doctor’s advice is essential. You can equip yourself with pain management devices like Omron’s signature TENS therapy devices (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy devices) to delay or limit the pain in order to make a complete recovery.
