Dr. Sajid Syed is a very famous and best Neurologist in Abu Dhabi. Currently, he is working as a consultant at Life Care Hospital Abu Dhabi. With experience of more than 15 years, he specializes in the treatment of epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, and movement disorders. Dr. Sajid pursued MBBS from Government Medical College, MD from J.S.S Mysore, and DM from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. His contribution to several international publications, essays, and presentations is praiseworthy. His clinical interests’ field is Movement Disorders, Parkinsonism, Tremors, Stroke management & Thrombolysis, and Headache, Vascular TAC & Neuralgia.

What is neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a spiking, flaming, and feeling of severe pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve. It can occur in any nerve in the body. The possible causes behind the damage include:

  • aging
  • an infection, such as shingles
  • diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis
  • Types of neuralgia
  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Causes of neuralgia

Some nerve pains are really hard to understand. Nerve pain can arise from damage or injury to a nerve. It also occurs due to the pressure on a nerve and any changes in the way the nerves function.

Infection

Nerves can be affected due to an infection. For instance, the cause of postherpetic neuralgia is shingles which is an infection caused due to the chickenpox virus. The probability of having this infection rises with age. An infection in a specific part of the body may also affect a nearby nerve like if you have an infection in a tooth, it may leave an impact on the nerve and cause pain.

Multiple sclerosis

It is a disease that is caused by the deterioration of myelin which is the covering of nerves. Neuralgia can occur in someone suffering from MS.

Pressure on nerves

Pressure or compression from bone, ligament, blood vessel, or tumor on nerves may cause neuralgia. The pressure of a swollen blood vessel is also a very common cause of trigeminal neuralgia.

Diabetes

Many people with diabetes experience problems with their nerves. The excess glucose in the bloodstream may also damage the nerves which are quite common in the hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Less common causes

  • trauma, such as from surgery
  • chemical irritation
  • chronic kidney disease
  • medications prescribed for cancer
  • fluoroquinolone antibiotics

Treatment of neuralgia

The treatment becomes very easy when a doctor can pinpoint the cause of neuralgia. The treatment will focus on treating the cause behind it. When not found it will focus on relieving the pain.

Potential treatments may include:

  • surgery
  • controlling the blood glucose levels in people with diabetes
  • medications to relieve the pain
  • physical therapy
  • a nerve block with an injection directed at a particular nerve or nerve group. It is intended to “turn off” the pain signals and reduce inflammation.

Medications prescribed may include:

  • antidepressants
  • antiseizure medications
  • short-term narcotic pain medications, such as codeine
  • topical creams with capsaicin

Take Away

For long-term and good results follow all the instructions by your doctor. Contact Dr. Sajid Syed famous Neurologist in UAE working at Life Care Hospital Abu Dhabi.