FAST FACTS: Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a result of damage in the nervous system. This can be a disturbance in the function of one or more nerves and is often associated with damage to major organs. The pain is often described as burning, numbness, tingling, electric shock-like, and possibly deep aching.

Diabetic Neuropathy

• Injury to nerve fibers from high blood sugar, most often in hands and feet
• Signs/Symptoms: numbness and tingling
• Management: control blood sugar

Post-herpetic Neuralgia

• Complication of shingles and is a burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters disappear
• Signs/Symptoms: burning at shingles site, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness
• Treatment: prescription medications

Multiple Sclerosis

• Autoimmune disease of unknown case; destroys the protective sheath on nerves
• Signs/Symptoms: painful muscle spasms, numbness, weakness of limb on one side, unsteady walking, blurriness, loss of vision, tingling/electric-shock sensations
• Treatment: prescription and over the counter medications, massage, muscle relaxants for muscle spasms

Spinal Cord Injuries / Muscular Weakness Affecting Only One Side of Body

• Causes: trauma, arthritis, cancer, inflammation/infection, degeneration, strokes
• Signs/Symptoms: loss of sensation/movement or bowel/bladder control, pain, exaggerated reflex
• Treatment: medications; non-drug treatments may include TENS units and massage

Peripheral Neuropathy

• Definition: damage to nerves outside brain or central nervous system
• Causes: trauma and infections; toxins such as alcohol or poisons; diseases such as lupus, Guillain-Barre, Lyme; vitamin B deficiency; hypothyroid or kidney disease
• Signs/Symptoms: numbness & tingling in hands, feet, and many other sites
• Treatment: medications; non-drug treatments may include TENS units and massage

What Else You Should Do

• Write down and share information about your loved one’s pain with their healthcare provider
• Use a Pain Diary to note important information useful to the healthcare provider
• Encourage your loved one to try a non-drug treatment and document the impact on their pain in their Pain Diary

References:

• WebMD. August 23, 2021. Neuropathic Pain Management. Accessed 3.13.2022. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neuropathic-pain
• Cleveland Clinic. December 7, 2020. Neuropathic Pain. Accessed 3.13.2022. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neuropathic-pain

Revised January 2022