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Mysterious Nerve Pain: What is neuralgia and how does it affect our lives?
Neuralgia is a disturbing condition, derived from the Greek words for "nerve" and "pain," characterized by severe pain in the area innervated by a nerve. This disease manifests itself in various forms, the most common of which include trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia. Neuralgia not only affects physical health, but also profoundly affects the patient's quality of life and psychological state.
Neuralgia pain is usually intermittent and can range in intensity from mild stabbing pain to severe burning pain.
Classification of neuralgia
Within the broad category of neuralgia we can find several main types:
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TN)
- Atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN)
- Occipital neuralgia
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
- Postherpetic neuralgia
Atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN) is a rare form of nerve pain with symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as migraines or dental problems. The pain sensation in ATN can range from mild aching to severe burning sensations, and patients often experience persistent migraines and multiple facial pains.
Simple activities such as talking or eating can often trigger a painful attack.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia causes pain mainly in the back of the throat and near the tonsils and ears. This condition is particularly severe late at night or when eating, affects more men than women, and tends to occur in people over the age of 40.
Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia is another common neuropathy characterized by persistent pain in the upper neck and behind the eyes. Patients often describe the pain as similar to pins and needles or electric shocks.
Mechanisms of neuralgia
Understanding changes in neuroplasticity after nerve injury helps researchers explain the overexcitability of the nervous system, which is considered one of the main causes of neuropathic pain.
Once a nerve is damaged, the surrounding neurons may undergo degenerative changes, and abnormal signals further cause pain sensations.
Diagnostic Methods
The diagnosis of neuropathic pain requires a detailed history and description of the pain and relies on a physical examination and laboratory tests to evaluate the source of the pain. Subjective assessment of pain is often performed from multiple perspectives using pain assessment questionnaires, such as the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
Treatment methods
Treatments for nerve pain include medication and surgery. Compared with other types of pain, neuralgia responds less well to common analgesics, so special medications such as membrane-stabilizing drugs or antidepressants are needed.
Antiseizure drugs, such as pregabalin (Lyrica), were developed specifically for neuropathic pain and other neuropathic pain conditions.
Neuropathy in Society and Culture
Neuralgia was not limited to physical symptoms; it also found expression in literature and drama. In R.C. Sherriff's play Journey's End, a character demands to go home because of neuralgia. In Proust's Swann's Way, the narrator's father also suffers from this disease.
Overall, the impact of neuralgia seems to be not limited to the body. The challenges it causes to patients' daily life and psychological state are also worthy of attention. Is it possible to make these challenges that lie behind life the focus of wider social discussion?
