Neuropathy treatment in Dubai
Neuropathy is nerve pain caused by a disturbance of function in one or multiple nerves. While diabetes is responsible for about 30% of neuropathy cases, there are hundreds of diseases linked to this type of pain, and it may not always be easy to determine the source of the pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or dysfunction to the nerves that transmit signals between the body and the brain. It is often described as a burning, tingling, or shooting sensation and can be chronic or intermittent. Neuropathic pain can be caused by various conditions, such as diabetes, shingles, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries, and can be difficult to treat.
Types of neuropathic pain
Based on the type of nerve the pain affects, nerve neuropathy can be classified into three major types of neuropathies.
- Peripheral neuropathy: This is a type of neuropathy that affects the peripheral nerves, which are outside or far from the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral neuropathy can cause weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands, fingers, feet, and other body parts. Diabetes, alcoholism, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain medications possibly cause it.
- Mononeuropathy: This is a type of neuropathy that affects a single nerve or a concentration of nerves in a specific area of the body. Mononeuropathy can be caused by trauma, injury, compression, or inflammation of the affected nerve. Its symptoms include weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain sensations in the affected area. Mononeuropathy pain may affect movement and function.
- Polyneuropathy: This is a type of neuropathy that affects multiple nerves throughout the body, including the farthest nerve fibers. Various medical conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infections, metabolic disorders, and exposure to toxins, can cause polyneuropathy.
Its symptoms may include weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands, feet, or other body parts, and may also affect movement, balance, and coordination. Polyneuropathy symptoms can vary depending on the cause and extent of nerve damage.
How does neuropathic pain start?
Most joint pains can be treated with non-invasive int
When the nervous system is damaged or not functioning correctly, it can result in neuropathic pain. This pain may originate in various levels of the nervous system, including the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain.
While the spinal cord and brain make up the central nervous system, the peripheral nerves are spread throughout the body, including organs, arms, legs, fingers, and toes, making the peripheral nervous system.
When nerve fibers are damaged, they send incorrect signals to pain centers, and nerve function change at the site of the damage and in the central nervous system, resulting in central sensitization and pain.
erventional approaches. Here is a brief about different joint pain, their causes, and their respective treatments.
Symptoms of neuropathic pain
- Spontaneous pain : This type of pain can occur without any apparent cause and may feel like shooting, burning, or electric shock-like pain. It can also cause tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation.
- Abnormal sensations: Neuropathic pain can cause unpleasant and abnormal sensations called dysesthesia.
- Evoked pain : Normally, non-painful stimuli such as cold or gentle brushing against the skin may trigger pain, which is called allodynia. Pain may also increase in response to usually painful stimuli such as pinpricks and heat, known as hyperalgesia.
- Sleep disturbances: Neuropathic pain can lead to trouble sleeping, which can cause emotional problems due to the associated pain and sleep disturbances.
- Reduced pain sensitivity: In some cases, neuropathic pain may cause pain to be lessened in response to a typically painful stimulus, known as hypoalgesia.
Causes
The causes of neuropathic pain include
- Nerve compression by herniated disc
- Central nervous system disorders (Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
- Complex regional pain syndrome.
- Shingles(Pain that continues after your bout with shingles ends is called postherpetic neuralgia.)
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
Other causes include:
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Radiation therapy
- Nerve compression or infiltration by tumours
- Amputation, which can cause phantom pain
- Spinal nerve compression or inflammation
- Trauma or surgeries with resulting nerve damage
Diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain
The diagnosis of neuropathy typically involves a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and imaging studies.
Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause of neuropathy and may include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and in some cases, surgery. The treatments also involve:
- Epidurals
- Nerve blocks
- Neuromodulation techniques such as radiofrequency ablation treatment
- Peripheral and spinal cord stimulation.
Typically initial treatment of neuropathic pain is done by medications such as Amitriptyline, Pregabaline, Gabapentine, and more, which help heal the injury. Early intervention is crucial in preventing further nerve damage and managing symptoms.
Dr Mohamed El Toukhy’s team of healthcare providers involves neurologists, pain specialists, and physical therapists who follow a multidisciplinary approach to optimise treatment for the best treatment outcomes.
Consult the pain management specialist- Dr Mohamed El Toukhy.