Understanding Neuropathic Pain and How to Avoid It

When there is damage to the nervous system, it can lead to abnormal transmission of pain signals to the brain, resulting in a specific type of chronic pain called neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is not the same as nociceptive pain because the pain can persist even after the initial injury has healed.

People struggling with neuropathic pain complain about a burning, tingling, or shooting sensation in a specific area or along the nerves in a particular region of the body. This pain is often paired with other symptoms like numbness or hypersensitivity to temperature or touch.

Unfortunately, this type of nerve pain can be tricky to manage because it doesn’t always respond to traditional pain medications. However, alternative solutions are available, including topical creams that ease symptoms, nerve blocks, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).  

To help you better understand whether you might be dealing with neuropathic pain, let’s look at the main causes.

Top 6 Causes of Neuropathic Pain in Adults

Chronic pain such as this is often linked to these main causes:

1. Nerve damage. When the nerves are directly injured due to trauma, nerve compression, or a surgical procedure, it often leads to neuropathic pain.
2. Medication. Certain types of medications are also linked to neuropathic pain, including antiretrovirals and chemotherapy drugs.
3. Underlying medical conditions. A number of medical conditions are often the underlying cause of chronic nerve pain, including shingles, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
4. Infections. Any type of infection that has the potential to damage the nerves can lead to chronic pain, including leprosy and Lyme disease.
5. Spinal conditions. Herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, all of which compress and irritate the nerves are often linked to neuropathic pain.
6. Autoimmune disorders. The final cause of neuropathic pain is autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which inflame and damage the nerves in various parts of the body.

Is It Possible to Avoid Neuropathic Pain?

The bad news is that it’s very challenging to avoid chronic nerve pain completely, mostly because the main causes are often out of your control.

All you can really do is take preventative measures – here are some useful suggestions:

• Manage underlying health conditions. Whether you already have an underlying health condition or a family history of one, working closely with your doctor to better understand and manage it can help you avoid neuropathic pain. This would include scheduling regular check-ups, managing and adjusting your medication, and making lifestyle changes.
• Avoid injuries. Anything you can do to prevent injuries that could affect your nerves can help you avoid neuropathic pain. Wearing protective gear if you play contact sports and seeing a bioethicist to learn how to exercise safely is also recommended.
• Monitor your medication. If you’re currently taking chronic medication, it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor about the side effects and whether neuropathic pain is something to worry about. This way, you can consider alternatives where necessary.
• Take care of your overall health. Lastly, making lifestyle choices that benefit your overall health can also make a difference to your risk of developing neuropathic pain. Managing your stress levels, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all important.

Neuropathic pain is a difficult condition to predict and avoid completely, but knowing the causes and the changes you can make to prevent it goes a long way.